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Title X Objectives. How Writing Measurable Objectives Helps DSHS Evaluate the Success of Your Title X Project. Federal Requirements.
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Title X Objectives How Writing Measurable Objectives Helps DSHS Evaluate the Success of Your Title X Project
Federal Requirements • The Title X Family Planning program is located in the US Department of Health and Human Services and administered within the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs (OPA) by the Office of Family Planning (OFP). • When DSHS competes for federal funds, part of the Title X federal grant application requires a detailed work plan with goals and objectives.
FY 2008 State Goals • DSHS’ FY 2008 federal grant application contains the following goals: 1. To enhance and improve fiscal/administrative functions to ensure efficient family planning program operations.
FY 2008 State Goals 2. To assure the provision of high quality clinical and educational family planning and related health services in order to improve the overall health of Texans. 3. To promote individual and community health for at-risk and hard-to-reach populations.
Objectives • Each goal in the State Work Plan has multiple objectives. • Objectives developed by Title X contractors support the State Title X grant application. • Title X contractors report objectives on a schedule and in a format that allows DSHS to report results to OPA.
SMART Objectives OPA promotes the use of the SMART format for reporting objectives. SMART stands for: • Specific – Objectives should specify what they want to achieve. • Measurable – You should be able to measure whether you are meeting the objectives or not. • Achievable - Objectives should be achievable and attainable.
SMART Objectives • Realistic – You should realistically be able to achieve the objectives with the resources you have. • Time – The timeframe in which objectives will be achieved.
Objectives & Funding • Failure to: • write quality, measurable objectives, and • complete objectives in accordance with the Program Work Plan could result in reduced federal funding for Texas family planning services.
Tracking Progress through Objectives • Well written, measurable objectives can assist contractors to track the progress of their Title X projects.
Tracking Progress through Objectives • By taking a baseline measurement (where you start), identifying your objective, figuring out how you’re going to achieve the objective, identifying who is responsible for meeting the objective, setting a due date, and evaluating progress once the objective is complete, you can track the progress of your project.
Examples of Objectives • The following examples come from actual objectives submitted by Title X contractors. • Examples that were written using the SMART format are followed by examples that were not.
Examples of Objectives • The first set of examples show responses to the Objective 3 requirement: Create an objective related to counseling minors on resisting attempts to be coerced into engaging in sexual activities.
Objective 4 Create an objective that relates to the provision of family planning services and related preventive health services to hard to reach populations such as uninsured or underinsured individuals, males, persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), adolescents, or other vulnerable or at risk populations.
Quarterly Progress Reports • Each quarter, contractors submit the Title X Contractor Objectives Report, also know as the Quarterly Progress Report. • Due dates for FY 08 reports are: • Quarter 1: December 31, 2007 • Quarter 2: March 31, 2008 • Quarter 3: June 30, 2008 • Quarter 4: October 31, 2008
Quarterly Progress Reports • Contractors are not required to report on all objectives each quarter. • Quarter 1: Report on Objective 1 (numbers served) only. • Quarter 2: Report on Objectives 1-6 --- all objectives. • Quarter 3: Report on Objective 1 only. • Quarter 4: Report on Objectives 1-6.
Quarterly Progress Reports • Contractors must use the objectives format provided by DSHS when reporting objectives. • When reporting on progress made toward completion of Objectives 2-6, contractors should include information up through the second and fourth quarters.
Quarterly Progress Reports • Any significant deviation from submitted objectives must be discussed with your assigned Contract Manager. • Contract Managers are: • Debbie Brookshire, HSR 1, 2, 9 and 10 • Sharon Drane, HSR 3, 4, 5 and 6 • Leroy Torres, HSR 7, 8 and 11