Serving children with special social and emotional needs: A practical approach to evaluating prevention programs in schools and community settings

Prevention programs for young children are becoming more prevalent in schoo ls and community centers. Practical evaluation methods are needed that can inform program design and implementation as well as assess a program's over all success. An evaluation model is presented that provides both program pr ocess and outcome information. The institutional and program conditions sup portive of this type of evaluation and the limitations of this approach are discussed. A case example illustrates practical issues related to designin g and implementing evaluations for prevention group projects for young chil dren at risk for child abuse and neglect. Implications for educational and psychological consultation are discussed.