Need guidance: Read my discussion and provide respectful feedback on their chosen instrument and process. Provide another way the results might influence their work as a leader. Also, please cite and utilize the references listed below my discussion.

My discussion:

• Identify two intended outcomes of the therapy services offered at the People First organization.

People First San Diego offers therapy services for "depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress " (Walden University, 2022). Thus, based on these identified services, two intended outcomes of therapy services would be to improve the client's mental health by reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and increasing their resilience in managing these symptoms.

• Then, describe an evidence-based instrument you could use to measure these outcomes.

An evidence-based instrument that I could use to measure anxiety would be the LEVEL 2 - Anxiety-Adult (PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anxiety-Short Form). Or if, after assessing collectively and determining that depression seemed to be the more common denominator of the clients we are currently serving, I could use the LEVEL 2 - Depression-Adult (PROMIS Emotional Distress-Depression-Short Form). Both are available through the American Psychiatric Association website.

• How would you use the tool to determine the effectiveness of the services?

I would use this tool to determine the extent to which the services are effective by incorporating it within the stages of the logic model (Fritz, 2020). Using this model allows me to connect the inputs (Fritz, 2020) with activities, such as using either form to determine the impact of the prior week's services and whether we are progressing toward the expected outcomes (Fritz, 2020). Thus, using either of the above evidence-based instruments at the beginning of each session, I can track the progress of the program's services weekly to see if changes are needed. Plus, with the short forms being only seven to eight questions long, I can quickly complete a post-follow-up with the client at pre-determined times to ascertain if they can effectively continue implementing the skills acquired from the program after it ends. Therefore, incorporating the tool weekly while the patient is actively receiving services and then again after completing the program allows me to track the progress and practicality of the program both inside and outside of therapy.

• What would you do if you learned the services were less effective than hoped?

While I would be disappointed to learn that the services were less effective than I hoped, I would look to do the following. First, see it as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Next, I would complete a post-assessment with the clients to understand what was effective and what was not from their perspective. This could be done via follow-up calls and emails to the clients, the team who offered the services to their clients, and the stakeholders, as this affords me a more in-depth understanding of what was good, needs improvement, or needs to be handled differently. Lastly, I would revisit the logic model and apply this information to the respective areas to continue improving the program, allowing us to serve more clients positively and effectively (Fritz, 2020).

• How would the results influence your work as a leader in the organization?

The results would influence my work as a leader in the PFSD organization because it would remind me of the importance and value evaluations bring to any organization (Fritz, 2020). Also, according to Fritz (2020), "results are determined by evaluations." Thus, I would be influenced to make evaluations a standard part of what we do so that it becomes a part of our culture, of who we are and what we do. In doing so, I follow the seven "pillars of high performance" Fritz (2020) speaks of.in For instance, by making evaluations standard, I am following pillars six and seven by identifying and removing barriers that keep us from succeeding. Plus, by promoting a culture that is based on teamwork and inclusion, we are embodying the words of the executive director: "every person is valuable and deserving" and truly honor our motto of "people first" (Walden University, 2022). Thus, in summary, the results would influence my work as a leader by reminding me that it is about people first, and evaluations are necessary for us to measure our results and validate our program's effectiveness.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Online assessment measuresLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/assessment-measures

Fritz, J. (2020, May 21).How to talk about nonprofit impact from inputs to outcomesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.. The Balance Small Business. https://www.thebalancesmb.com/inputs-outputs-outcomes-impact-what-s-the-difference-2502227Links to an external site.

Walden University, LLC. (2022). People First San DiegoLinks to an external site.Links to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.com/