Practical Applications of Case Management Software for Practitioners in Health and Human Services - Information Communication Technologies for Human Services Education and Delivery - page 177

Table 2. Information domains

Clinical domain Service delivery domain Outcomes evaluations domain

Personal and family information
Demographic data
Employment data
Collateral contact information
User defined information
Case documentation and notes
Clinical activities

Case load statistics
Activity status statistics
Activity statistics
Program specific statistics
Presenting issue statistics
Case flow statistics

Client self ratings at pre, mid, and post stages of service
Percentage change over time
Frequency distribution over time
Qualitative feedback
Client satisfaction results
Outcomes reporting by program and funder13

Billing accounting information External reporting domain Human resources domain

Client fees / funder invoices
Payments and write offs
Subsidy / sliding scale information
Program-specific accounting
Account aging

Funder specific reporting
Program specific reporting
Aggregate reporting
Population specific reporting

Worker hours - indirect, direct, non-case
Activity status by worker
Activity types by worker
Case load / worker capacity data
Worker involvement in specific program
Billable hours

tentions and evaluative. Before understanding
these questions, it is necessary to understand the
concept of the program logic model which assists
in understanding these questions.

collected and also documenting the intervention
and how it worked. Logic models are not fixed
as they can be developed at any time during the
life cycle of the program and can be modified if
the circumstances of the program change. For
organizations using a case management software
system, logic models provide the elements for
data collection enabling compilation of relevant
information, and a focus for analysis. Although
this chapter will focus on technological aspects
of the logic model, it should be remembered that
developing logic models is a collaborative en-
deavor and a dynamic process involving agency
staff and other stakeholders. Over time, the logic
model used may need revision as practitioners
work with the clients and develop new practice
knowledge of activities and outcomes.
Logic model components are simple and
include inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes.
The inputs are resources which are brought to a
program including financial, material and human
resources. Some programs may have multiple
funding sources whilst human resource can include
volunteer support, in kind assistance or partner-
ships with other agencies. Activities are those
action steps taken in the program to achieve its
stated goals and outputs. Outputs are the results

logic model

In simple language, a logic model is a graphic
representation used as a guide to convey what
agency services are intending to achieve. This
guide, unique to every agency provides a mecha-
nism to communicate to funders, researchers and
community about services and outcomes. At a
more formal level, Frechtling (2007, p.1) defines
a logic model as a 'tool that describes the theory
of change underlying an intervention, product
or policy'. This theory of change simply means
that when resources and activities are combined
in particular ways they will lead to intended
outcomes for clients. If a particular set of actions
are prepared, then specific results are expected.
These logic models are important aids to assist
organizations in applying for grants as they
clarify the intended purpose, activities, outputs
and outcomes. In addition, these models provide
a framework for developing an evaluation study,
setting a framework for the information to be