About the AGRM's Program Outcomes Evaluation Tools 

One of the issues that we need to address as we discuss measuring program outcomes is "What is our purpose in gathering the data?" For rescue missions, there are basically two reasons for measuring outcomes:

• For use in fund raising and PR efforts

• To upgrade and modify our programs. One way to become more effective in our programming is to take the time to identify what is working - and what is not.

Our intended use of the data will always set the tone for the data gathering we do. But, in either case, the true test of whether we are effective is to be found in our program graduates. Hopefully, they are one of the main reasons our mission exists. Our primary "business" is changing lives. And, our graduates are our main "product".

If we are not having a few graduates a year - and if a significant number of them are not clean and sober - and walking with the Lord - a year or two after leaving our facilities - its time to re-think what we are doing in our programs!

We've placed some of the documents we created as part of the AGRM Rescue Mission Program Assessment Project that you may download and edit for use at your own rescue mission.

• Outcome Indicators - the "Success Factors" developed by our focus groups.

• Sample Follow Up Interview - a sample questionnaire to be used in phone follow-up of mission graduates. Uses above mentioned indicators to gather data to be used in measuring program outcomes.

The list of outcomes was the result of focus group meetings conducted here in Kansas City on February 5 & 6, 1999. We brought together about twenty directors and counselors who oversee effective, well organized men's AND women's residential programs. The question they pondered was simply "How do we know if we have been successful in our efforts to help the people served by our mission programs?"

What was produced as a result of these efforts is a pretty simple - yet comprehensive statement about which outcomes we ought to be tracking in our rescue mission programs. Additionally, this list can serve as a guide to program development. The notion here is simply if we are looking for these outcomes we ought to be offering services through our programs that equip are clients to actually achieve them. In other words, we need to be proactive with these goals, rather than hoping for outcomes we have not definitely scheduled into our program activities.

Michael Liimatta, AGRM's Director of Education, developed the questionnaire with input from Steve Burger, Phil Rydman and other rescue mission leaders. It's purpose is to serve as a model that can be used by mission staff members in follow-up interviews with program GRADUATES - whether face-to-face or over the phone. The basic notion here is that real success is measured by the number of sober, godly formerly homeless people who have returned to society as productive members as a result of our programs.

While we do not have control of how people respond to our efforts to help them - that's between them and God. But, what is it that makes rescue missions different than all of the secular programs that help the homeless? I'd say that, ultimately, it got to be the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as exhibited by lives that are permanently changed by an encounter with the Living God.

At rescue mission programs, we build upon this spiritual commitment. We do it by helping them to recover from an addiction to alcohol/drugs and providing additional assistance like work programs, education and spiritual and vocation training. With all the efforts and resources we are expending in these endeavors, there's just got to be some fruit! That's what these assessment efforts have been aiming for; giving us the ability to tell the world what God is doing at our missions by providing tangible proof of lives that are being changed.

Certainly, we must recognize that we do tend to have many people who will never become PhD's or corporate executives. As a matter of fact, there is a very significant number of mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and brain damaged addicts among our clientele. For some, living sober at the mission for the rest of their lives may be their "high water mark." But, even these folks that might be considered "low functioning", we are still giving them the opportunity to experience a quality of life that no other programs offered by secular agencies can.

So, as far as tracking program outcomes, the key is knowing the people we serve and establishing measures of success that are appropriate for them. Still, if we don't take the time to look for appropriately measurable outcomes, we miss the opportunity to properly evaluate our programs and staff. In my opinion, this is a part of the good stewardship that is the hallmark of any ministry committed to excellence in our service to God and His people.