TEI Program: Developing a Program Logic
Welcome to the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) E-Module: Developing a program logic, which has been designed to guide service providers through understanding and completing program logics. This module replaces the previous program logic E-Module and includes new information on using the evidence developed for the TEI Program. Click here for an overview of the course navigation options or click the Next arrow at the bottom right to get started.
Why do you need to complete a program logic?
The TEI program focuses on improving client and community outcomes. Outcomes are the changes you expect your clients and communities to achieve as a result of your services and activities.
TEI service providers delivering services in the Community Strengthening and the Wellbeing and Safety program activities are contractually required to complete an individual program logic for each program activity.
The program logic provides a framework for monitoring and evaluating service activities using evidence of what works to improve client outcomes. It is an important component of evidence-informed practice, with the evidence helping service providers to demonstrate the client outcomes that are likely to be achieved as a result of the service activities.
Introducing Core Components
In the TEI Program, the way we embed evidence is through the use of core components. In essence, core components are program components or parts that are common across evidence-informed programs.
There are flexible activities within each core component which are examples of different ways the core component can be delivered.
Click on the three icons to consider how core components can assist providers in TEI service delivery.
Program logics in the TEI Program
The TEI Program specifications include five program-level program logics that, except for the FCS program logic, were developed from evidence reviews commissioned for the DCJ Evidence Portal:
- Cultural Safety and Wellbeing
- Community Strengthening
- Family Connect and Support (FCS)
- Wellbeing and Safety – children and families
- Wellbeing and Safety – young people.
Click the image to zoom.
Other Evidence
This graphic shows the evidence reviews that used critical elements or themes rather than core components. Both core components and critical elements (or themes) are valuable and use the available evidence. The main difference is that core components are obtained from evidence reviews that followed the process used in the Evidence Portal technical specifications.
Click the tabs at the top of this dialogue box to confirm the difference between Core Components and Critical Elements and Themes.
Core Components
Core Components are identified from evidence reviews that used the Evidence Portal Technical Specifications. These technical specifications use a rigorous, consistent process and have stringent criteria for the type of program studies that can be included in an evidence review.
Critical Elements and Themes
Other evidence reviews on the Evidence Portal do not use the Technical Specifications, particularly when relating to emerging fields of practice or where the program studies available did not meet the criteria of the Technical Specifications. In these cases, the evidence review captured the available evidence and identified critical elements or themes which have been included in the Community Strengthening Program Logic and the Cultural Safety and Wellbeing Program Logic, with best practice themes from the Youth Agency and Empowerment evidence review also included in the Wellbeing and Safety – young people Program Logic.
What program logic do I need to develop?
The TEI program logo displays the three program activities: Community Strengthening, Family Connect and Support, and Wellbeing and Safety.
Click the tabs at the top of the dialogue box to overview the program logics related to each program activity.
CS
Community Strengthening
Service providers delivering services under the Community Strengthening program activity should consider and use the evidence from the Community Strengthening evidence review, including the five critical elements, in building their individual program logic and in their service design and delivery. The following slides will provide an option to access training on this process.
Click here to download this program logic now.
FCS
Family Connect and Support Program Logic
This is the program-level program logic for the Family Connect and Support program activity. You do not need to develop a separate individual program logic for this program activity.
Click here to download this program logic now.
WS
Wellbeing and Safety Program Logics
There are two program-level program logics under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity, one for those who are delivering services to children and families, and another for those who are delivering services to young people:
- Click here to download the Wellbeing and Safety Program Activity - children and families Program Logic now.
- Click here to download the Wellbeing and Safety Program Activity - young people Program Logic now.
End of Section
This concludes the Section 1: Introduction part of the course. You can now return to the menu and determine what to do next. Note again that you do not need to complete an individual Family Connect and Support program logic. If that is all you require, you should jump to the Assessment and Further Resources Section from the menu. Otherwise, you can select options to help you complete your Community Strengthening and/or Wellbeing and Safety Program Logic/s.
Community Strengthening Program Logic
Service providers funded to deliver services under the Community Strengthening program activity should consider and use the evidence from the Community Strengthening evidence review, including the five critical elements.
The Community Strengthening Program Logic incorporates the five critical elements identified by the Community Strengthening evidence review commissioned by DCJ. Click each step in the graphic below to learn more about what each element aims to achieve.
Community Strengthening program activity – Young people
Community Strengthening service providers who work with young people should consider the four best practice elements from the Youth Work – Agency and Empowerment evidence review when designing and delivering their services.
Click each element in the graphic below to learn about these four best practice elements reflected in individual program logics.
Program Logic – Current Situation
You must reference local data when completing this first column in your program logic, and also give answers to these questions:
- Who is your target group?
- What current issues does this target group face (include evidence)?
- What are the causes of the current situation?
- What will happen to the target group if these issues are not addressed?
The instructions on the template ask you to consider TEI program priority target groups and information in the program-level Community Strengthening Program Logic (a good starting point for data sources is the TEI website). The next slide shows you an example of the type of information that could be written into the Current Situation.
Program Logic – Activities and Services
In the third column, you confirm the TEI Service Types you are contracted to deliver by selecting those from the list. The options listed include:
- Advocacy and support
- Community engagement
- Community sector coordination
- Education and skills training
- Facilitate employment pathways
- Indigenous advocacy / support
- Indigenous community engagement
- Indigenous healing activities
- Information / advice / referral
- Social participation
Program Logic – Outputs
Your outputs are what you are funded to deliver under your contract. In this section, you can leave what is already in the template “As per contracted service deliverables”. However, there is also an optional box where you can add in your contract outputs if you think it would be helpful to include them in your program logic. You can delete this box if you wish to.
Program Logic – Theory of Change
When completing this column in the program logic, you should describe how and why your service is expected to achieve the intended outcomes. You should refer to the critical elements and describe how your activities address these. The template and the program-level program logic Theory of Change guide provides information on how to do this.
Click here for an example of what your Theory of Change column might look like. You will see that the examples address all five critical elements, and there is a connection to the service activities and how they lead to improved client outcomes.
Program Logic – Client Outcomes
Client Outcomes is the last column on the program logic. In this column, you need to identify the outcomes you expect your clients to achieve by the end of service delivery. These may be knowledge, attitudes, values, skills or behaviour changes, and they could be outcomes for individuals, groups, families or communities.
When you identify your outcomes, you need to link each of them to the relevant domain of the TEI Outcomes Framework (available in the TEI Program Specifications). The outcome for all TEI service providers is Safety: Reduced risk of entry into the child protection system. This should not be deleted from the template. However, note that some Community Strengthening service providers may not be able to report on the Safety outcome depending on the nature of your service. The other outcomes that you include in this column should be those which you are expected to deliver as stated in your contract.
Click here for an example of what your Client Outcomes column might look like.
Client Outcomes Tips
- Ensure that the client outcomes in your program logic are captured in DEX
- Only include client outcomes that you are funded to deliver
- Client outcomes should directly relate to the services you have included in your program logic
Review the Program Logic
Once you have completed the program logic, you should read it over to check that it is clear, comprehensive, and that the connections between the columns are logical. An effective program logic should:
- Present a coherent causal model that explains how the service contributes to the desired outcomes (i.e. it should visually represent the links between the problem and the outcome).
- Be logical, so the expected change is clearly depicted and the links between evidence, service activities, outputs and outcomes make sense.
- Act as an effective communication tool for internal and external stakeholders.
Ask someone who is unfamiliar with your service to read your program logic to see if is clear about the services you deliver, why and how those services make a difference to or improve the problem/s or issue/s.
Core components from the Preventing Child Maltreatment Evidence Review
The Preventing Child Maltreatment (PCM) evidence review is most relevant for service providers delivering services to children and families under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity, where the outcomes reduce child abuse and neglect and improve parenting.
The Preventing Child Maltreatment Evidence Review identified 30 programs that can prevent child maltreatment and improve parenting knowledge and skills. From this review, five core components were identified and recommended as standard components for effective delivery of child and family services and working with families at risk of child abuse or neglect.
Preventing Child Maltreatment - Core Components
The PCM evidence review identified that a combination of five core components contributes to the prevention of child maltreatment. Service providers working with children and families in the Wellbeing and Safety program activity must use these five core components when designing and delivering their services. This could be directly delivered by the service provider or indirectly through a referral and/or partnership with another service provider.
Click each component in the graphic below to introduce each of these five components.
Core components matrix
The TEI Program has created this “Core Components Matrix” (available in the TEI program specifications) to help you identify which core components you are delivering. We have aligned the TEI service types with the description of the core components.
You can cross-reference your service types against the core components shown in the matrix to identify which core components you are delivering. This is particularly important when developing your program logic. In essence, this means that if you deliver one of the TEI service types linked to the core component on the matrix, you can be confident that you are delivering that core component.
Defining the Current Situation
The Current Situation column is where you identify the situation or issue your program seeks to change. You need to provide information about the people you support and the issues they face. You should also note the causes of these issues and explain what will happen if they’re not addressed. Answers to the following questions should be incorporated into your statement:
- Who is your target group?
- What are the current issues faced by this target group? Please include evidence to support this statement.
- What are the causes of the current situation?
- What will happen to the target group if these issues are not addressed?
Note: When completing this section, refer to local data. The TEI website is a good starting point for data sources, and you can click here to view an example of what your current situation column might look like.
Current Situation - Tips
- Include your local area data. See Understanding your local area on the TEI Website for some data sources.
- The data should highlight the needs in your area and link to the service activities that you are providing.
- Keep it concise and include only the data relevant to the service activities being provided through your TEI funding.
- Make sure you reference the sources of your data.
Evidence
Children need safe and supportive families to thrive and do their best. When their parents are supported early, children get the best start in life and optimal child development is promoted. Here, you can simply include the pre-filled evidence along with the five core components already in the program logic template. If you have any additional supporting research evidence, you can also add it, but this is optional.
Activities and Services
This column is where you will describe the services you are funded to deliver to children and families under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity.
All five core components from the Preventing Child Maltreatment evidence review are included in this section. You should leave all five core components in this column. The relevant TEI service types are pre-populated against each core component (as sourced from the Core Components matrix). You should select service types that are funded under your contract.
Program Logic – Outputs
Your outputs are what you are funded to deliver under your contract. In this section, you can leave what is already in the template “As per contracted service deliverables”. However, there is also an optional box where you can add in your contract outputs if you think it would be helpful to include them in your program logic. You can delete this box if you wish to.
Program Logic – Theory of Change
This column brings together all the elements of your program logic into a clear logical statement and is a check that your activities and outcomes make sense and connect to meet outcomes.
When completing this column in the program logic, you should describe how and why your service is expected to achieve the intended outcomes. You should refer to the core components and describe how your activities address these. The template and the program-level program logic Theory of Change provide guidance on how you can do this.
Theory of Change - Tips
- Refer to the core components when describing the services you deliver and the intended outcomes.
- Be specific in the outcomes you intend to achieve in the delivery of your services.
- Ensure outcomes referred to in the theory of change are linked to the client outcomes in your program logic.
Client Outcomes
In the Client Outcomes column, you need to identify the outcomes you expect your clients to achieve at the end of service delivery. These may be changes in knowledge, attitudes, values, skills or behaviours. And they could be outcomes for individuals, groups, families or communities.
When you identify your outcomes, you need to map them to the domains of the TEI Outcomes Framework (available in the TEI Program Specifications). The outcome for all TEI service providers is Safety: Reduced risk of entry into the child protection system. You should not delete this outcome. The other outcomes that you include in this column should be those which you are expected to deliver under your contract.
Review the Program Logic
Once you have completed the program logic, you should read it over to check that it is clear, comprehensive, and that the connections between the columns are logical. An effective program logic should:
- Present a coherent causal model that explains how the service contributes to the desired outcomes (i.e. it should visually represent the links between the problem and the outcome).
- Be logical, so the expected change is clearly depicted and the links between evidence, service activities, outputs and outcomes make sense.
- Act as an effective communication tool for internal and external stakeholders.
Ask someone who is unfamiliar with your service to read your program logic to see if it is clear about the services you deliver, why and how those services make a difference to or improve the problem/s or issue/s.
Core components from the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing Evidence Review
The Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing Evidence Review identified 32 programs that foster socioemotional wellbeing in young people. The review identified five core components which demonstrate the key practices in the 32 programs that are understood to be significant for effectively delivering positive socioemotional wellbeing outcomes for young people.
Youth Socioemotional wellbeing core components
Service providers working with young people in the Wellbeing and Safety program activity, should consider the five core components from the Youth Socioemotional wellbeing evidence review when designing and delivering their services.
Click on the panels below to learn more.
Defining the Current Situation
The Current Situation column is where you identify the situation or issue your program seeks to change. You need to provide information about the people you support and the issues they face. You should also note the causes of these issues and explain what will happen if they’re not addressed. Answers to the following questions should be incorporated into your statement:
- Who is your target group?
- What are the current issues faced by this target group? Please include evidence to support this statement.
- What are the causes of the current situation?
- What will happen to the target group if these issues are not addressed?
Note: When completing this section, refer to local data. The TEI website is a good starting point for data sources, and you can click here to view an example of what your current situation column might look like.
Current Situation - Tips
- Include your local area data. See Understanding your local area on the TEI Website for some data sources.
- The data should highlight the needs in your area and link to the service activities that you are providing.
- Keep it concise and only include the data relevant to the service activities provided through your TEI funding.
- Make sure you reference your data sources.
Evidence
Here you should simply include the pre-filled evidence already in the program logic template, which presents the evidence from the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing and Youth Work – Agency and Empowerment evidence reviews, listing the five core components and four best practice elements.
You can also add any supporting research evidence you might choose to present but this is optional.
Activities and Services
This column is where you will describe the services you are funded to young people under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity.
All five core components from the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing evidence review are included in this section. You should leave all five core components in this column. The relevant TEI service types for young people are pre-populated against each core component (as sourced from the Core Components matrix). You should select service types that are funded under your contract.
Program Logic – Outputs
Your outputs are what you are funded to deliver under your contract. In this section, you can leave what is already in the template “As per contracted service deliverables”. However, there is also an optional box where you can add in your contract outputs if you think it would be helpful to include them in your program logic. You can delete this box if you wish to.
Program Logic – Theory of Change
This column brings together all the elements of your program logic into a clear logical statement. It is a check that together, your activities and outcomes make sense and connect to meet outcomes.
When completing this column in the program logic, you should describe how and why your service is expected to achieve the intended outcomes. You should reference the core components and describe how your activities address these. The template and the program-level program logic Theory of Change provide guidance on how you can do this.
Theory of Change - Tips
- Refer to the core components when describing the services you deliver and the intended outcomes.
- Be specific in the outcomes you intend to achieve in the delivery of your services.
- Ensure outcomes referred to in the theory of change are linked to the client outcomes in your program logic.
Client Outcomes
In the ‘Client Outcomes’ column, you need to identify the outcomes you expect your clients to achieve at the end of service delivery. These may be changes in knowledge, attitudes, values, skills or behaviours. And they could be outcomes for individuals, groups, families or communities.
When you identify your outcomes, you need to map them to the domains of the TEI Outcomes Framework (available in the TEI Program Specifications). The outcome for all TEI service providers is Safety: Reduced risk of entry into the child protection system. The other outcomes that you include in this column should be those which you are expected to deliver under your contract.
Review the Program Logic
Once you have completed the program logic, you should read it over to check that it is clear and comprehensive and that the connections between the columns are logical. An effective program logic should:
- Present a coherent causal model that explains how the service contributes to the desired outcomes (i.e. it should visually represent the links between the problem and the outcome).
- Be logical so the expected change is clearly depicted and the links between evidence, service activities, outputs and outcomes make sense.
- Act as an effective communication tool for internal and external stakeholders.
TIP: Ask someone who is unfamiliar with your service to read your program logic to see if it is clear about what you deliver, why and how those services make a difference to or improve the problem/s or issue/s.