MHM Workshop Provides Innovative Program Tool
by Chivariak Khus
vkhus@mhm.org
On Friday September 30th, MHM presented another free Logic Model Workshop for partner agencies and other local area nonprofits. A few years ago, the Technical Assistance & Grants Team noticed that nonprofits and funders were often not “on the same page” about how to describe programs. The most common error was confusing program activities with client outcomes. We launched an initiative to create a common language based on logic models, changing the paradigm for how nonprofits went about planning and describing their programs. We stepped outside our usual box of only providing training to a narrow range of affiliated agencies, reasoning that we needed to build a “critical mass” in order for logic model usage and terminology to become commonplace in the community.
The three hour course reviewed ways to use logic models, as well as the four parts of a logic model:
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inputs;
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activities;
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outputs; and
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outcomes.
Participants closely reviewed the definition and examples of program outcomes and divided into groups to develop and present a working logic model.
MHM provided this workshop to help local area nonprofits better plan for future grant dollars as well as to maximize program impact. The reality is that nonprofits will always be expected to do a lot with limited resources, and the logic model will not only help to prepare a stronger grant proposal, but it will help create a more strategic and focused program.
The logic model workshop will be periodically delivered throughout the year at MHM. If you are interested in attending a class, please feel free to contact Chivariak Khus at Vkhus@mhm.org.
The workshop can also be seen online at mmlearn.org (you must register for free to view it). It is available in four segments; Part 1 is located at: http://msm.mediasite.com/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=238f5fe152bc4e5fb4b2aa15593456031d.
About the Author:
Chivariak Khus has over 15 years of professional work experience in the public sector covering local, national and international initiatives. Upon graduating from the University of North Texas in 1995, he went with the United Nations into Cambodia, where he first started working with logic models. His use of logic models is integrated into organizational, program, and monitoring and evaluation planning. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from UTSA, and he is currently a Grants and Research Specialist with Methodist Healthcare Ministries.