February 5, 2004 | Read Time: 1 minute
Finding Out What Happens to Former Clients, by Ritu Nayyar-Stone and Harry P. Hatry, urges social-service organizations to survey their clients months or even a year after the clients have used the groups’ services. Ms. Nayyar-Stone, a research associate at the Urban Institute, in Washington, and Mr. Hatry, director of the institute’s program on public management, say that survey information—for example, whether clients have remained drug free or maintained steady employment—can help an organization determine what contributes to long-term success and can lead to program improvements. Information about successful clients can also offer encouragement to staff members and meet grant makers requirements for evaluation, write the authors. This guide, part of the Urban Institutes Series on Outcome Management for Nonprofit Organizations, gives advice on information that could be gathered during the program, how to maintain contact with clients over time, and how to conduct surveys.
Publisher: Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037; (202) 261-5790; fax (202) 833-6231; http://www.urbaninstitute.org; 32 pages; $10.
