How to Create a Program Logic Model

A treatment service organization decides to develop and implement a new addiction treatment program that incorporates greater family involvement. The organization develops a program logic model to identify the elements of the program and how they are connected:

• Inputs: List everything that is going into the program. This will likely include financial, material, and human resources (e.g., funding from a government body or foundation, existing office space, one FTE staff, and volunteers).
• Activities:  Describe the activities of your program (e.g., provide joint counselling services to individuals and their family members).
• Outputs: Be specific about what the program activities will yield (e.g., hold a minimum of five joint counselling sessions per individual enrolled in the program, provide each family member with a workbook on supporting individuals with addiction issues).
• Outcomes: List how you will know if your program is doing what you intended it to do, or how you will measure the successfulness of your program.  Be specific and realistic about the outcomes and make sure they are measurable (e.g., 80% of enrolled participants complete five counselling sessions, 75% of family members complete the workbook assignments, 70% of individuals report feeling supported by family members).  You may also want to consider having short, intermediate, and long-term outcomes.  
• Impact: Describe the ultimate goals of your program (e.g., improved health for the individual with an addiction, family members are better able to support the individual). Keep in mind, other factors beside your program may contribute to the end results (e.g., another organization launches a social marketing campaign to educate family members on how to support individuals with addictions).