Evaluacion Programas De Internvencion

Am J Community Psychol DOI 10.1007/s10464-008-9212-x

ORIGINAL PAPER

Four Keys to Success (Theory, Implementation, Evaluation, and Resource/System Support): High Hopes and Challenges in Participation
Abraham Wandersman

Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009

Abstract In this article, I attempt to merge two themes. First, there is often a large gap between high hopes about impactsof policies or programs and the demonstrated results. I describe four keys/threats to success in any social problem area: theory, implementation, evaluation, and resource/system support. Second, I present theory and research from over 30 years of work on participation, conducted by my colleagues and myself that can illuminate and be illuminated by theory, implementation, evaluation, andresource/system support. I offer ideas for solutions that increase the probability of success. I conclude with the need to have high hopes tempered by theory and research to develop realistically ambitious solutions to social problems. Keywords Participation Á Theory Á Implementation Á Evaluation Á Resource/systems support

The history of policy and social intervention is filled with successes, partialsuccesses, flaws, and ‘‘failures.’’ This article is about the high hopes (the expression ‘‘High Hopes’’ is inspired by the Frank Sinatra Oscar-winning song) and the challenges that often exist in the creation and development of health and human service interventions and policies; and it is about potential solutions. Policy makers, scientists, and the public often hold high hopes for new legislation,policies, and strategic plans (e.g., Healthy People 2020, No Child Left Behind), and for prevention and

treatment programs (e.g., DARE, boot camps for juvenile offenders). Yet, in spite of initial optimism, many evaluations point to modest success, no effects, or even negative effects. The realities of modest, if any, success, should lead us to think more carefully about our interventions andwhy they are not more successful. In this article, I will begin by talking about examples of high hopes and results that did not live up to expectations. Then, I will describe four keys to success in any social problem area: theory, implementation, evaluation, resource/system support. Limitations in these four areas are likely to lead to disappointing results. This section will be followed by alengthy case example of theory, research, and practice in participation. I will draw upon a series of projects that my colleagues and I have conducted over several decades (on neighborhood organizations, community coalitions, and empowerment evaluation systems) to illustrate high hopes and challenges, and how improvements in theory, implementation, evaluation, and resource/system support may help usconfront the challenges that lead to disappointing results. Furthermore, I suggest that greater use of participatory processes in theory, implementation, evaluation, and resource/system support should improve the four keys to success.

Examples of High Hopes, Mixed Success, and Disappointment In order to illustrate the commonality of optimism, mixed success, and disappointment, I will brieflydescribe two examples (one a social policy and the other a prevention program) that help illustrate some of the reasons for high hopes, mixed success, and disappointment. 1. ‘‘Psychologist sought social cures’’ was the title of George Albee’s obituary in the Washington Post.

A. Wandersman (&) University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA e-mail: wandersman@sc.edu

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Albee was a famous community psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association. ‘‘Dr. Albee built a reputation as an early proponent of the idea that mental illness is caused by such social and environmental issues as poverty, racism and sexism, and not entirely by chemical imbalances in the brain. He pushed for social changes as a way to treat and prevent...