Summer 2026 SOWK 588 Week 02 - Theories of Change and Logic Models

title: Summer 2026 SOWK 588 Week 02 - Theories of Change and Logic Models date: 2026-06-02 16:53:12 location: Heritage University tags:

  • Heritage University
  • MSW Program
  • SOWK 588 presentation_video: > “” description: >

Week two is asynchronous. Students will be introduced to the history of social welfare programs in the United States (Edin and Shaefer, 2016) and have the opportunity to share examples. They will also read about retrospective policy analysis and the challenges of classical policy analysis (Linquiti, 2022). There are forums where you can engage with these topics and practice related skills. Some forums ask students to consider university policies and academic arguments through a scholarly lens. The agenda for the lecture video includes:

  • Assignments for the week
  • Follow up on feedback comments
  • Theories of change and logic models
  • Real-world examples

The learning objectives this week include:

  • Have context for what logic models might look like in social work practice.
  • Be able to explain how the United States has traditionally supported people experiencing poverty through social programs
  • To understand the process of retrospective analysis
  • Provide meaningful feedback regarding the MSW program policies
  • Describe the rationale for rebooting the field of policy analysis

Plan for Week 02

Agenda

  • Assignments for the week
  • Follow up on feedback comments
  • Theories of change and logic models
  • Real-world examples

Learning Objective

Have context for what logic models might look like in social work practice.

Tasks for Week 02

Content

  • Edin and Shafer (2016) Chapter 1: Welfare is Dead
  • Linquiti (2022) Chapter 2: Thinking about the Past: Retrospective Program and Impact Evaluation
  • Linquiti (2022) Chapter 3: Obstacles to Use Classical Policy Analysis Models in the Real World
  • Watch my lecture video (likely to be posted Tuesday)

W-02 A-01 Asynchronous Participation and Engagement

The expectation is that each of your replies will be substantive and offer meaningful perspectives that contribute to the forum’s conversation and scholarship. They can be related to the prompts or building on conversations shared by peers. There are six forums for this week, and you are expected to make at least 6 replies across any of the forums and read all of your peers’ replies. These forums include the following:

  • The forum Known Examples of Welfare Being Dead asks students to reflect on the chapter or share stories of people who have some correlation with those shared in the book.
  • Students can reflect on Heritage University’s Social Work program policies and share feedback on these to impact the future of our program.
  • One forum provides a quick exercise to describe a program and practice with theory of change and logic models.
  • Chapter Two Discussion Questions give opportunities to reflect on and practice ideas discussed in chapter two.
  • Chapter three provides a scholarly argument proposing a new way of engaging in policy analysis. How To Make Academic Arguments provides a space for students to engage in meta-discussion regarding how the author does this.
  • Chapter Three Discussion Questions give opportunities to reflect on and practice ideas discussed in chapter three.

Comments from Contact Form (1 of 2)

I wanted to briefly follow up some comments left in my contact sign up form:

I appreciate real-life examples, visuals, and hands-on learning.

  • Plan to do today, and generally try.

I am still working on my ADHD symptoms, as I work on myself more in therapy, I am recognizing more triggers that create barriers in my learning. I am working to stay ahead or caught up in class and not have a repeat of my last semester with missing or late assignments.

  • Awesome and commendable.

If possible could you write the assignment/forum instructions in simpler terms, please. I am not that familiar with highly academic words and struggle to understand sometimes. That being said, I do appreciate your intelligence and I see this as a learning opportunity to expand my vocabulary, it just takes me a little longer to understand. Thank you!

  • I asked Claude to simplfy assignments. Still have general. Consider opportunity to grow and learn.

Assignment 03a — Policy Analysis Paper (150 points, due 7/6/26)

You’ll write a research paper examining a real social issue and the policy connected to it. Your paper needs to cover four main areas:

  1. What’s the issue and policy? Pick a current social problem (like immigration or welfare) that affects a marginalized group. Explain how the policy works at different levels — local, state, tribal, and federal.
  2. Is it ethical? Compare the policy to two standards: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the NASW Code of Ethics. Where does it hold up? Where does it fall short?
  3. What theory explains it? Apply a social policy theory (like critical race theory or feminist theory) to analyze why the policy works the way it does and how it affects people at every level.
  4. What should change? Propose at least two alternative policy options and make a clear recommendation for reform, connecting it to real legislative advocacy.

Comments from Contact Form (2 of 2) Assignment 3b

Assignment 03b — Policy Advocacy Presentation (100 points, due 7/13/26)

Building on your paper, you’ll record a roughly 10-minute video presentation making the case for change. Think of it as pitching your advocacy plan to an audience. It should include:

  1. Introduction — What’s the problem and why does it matter?
  2. Policy analysis — What’s worked or failed so far, and who are the key players?
  3. Advocacy strategy — What’s your goal, who are you targeting, and what’s your message?
  4. Implementation plan — Specific steps, timeline, roles, and how you’ll know if it’s working.
  5. Conclusion — Wrap up your key points and inspire your audience to act.

Use slides or another visual to support your video.

What is a Theory of Change

There are different definitions of theories of change. Linquiti (2022) provides the following as what he describes as having a broad censuses as a definition:

Building a Theory of Change for a public policy or program entails an articulation of a causal theory about how actions taken within the program will lead to changes outside the program. What’s more, practitioners of Theory of Change analysis emphasize the importance of critical reflection on the assumptions (valid or not) made by program designers, on the motives and incentives of all relevant stakeholders, and on the broad context into which the program has been introduced.

(Linquiti, 2022, section 2.3 par. 2, emphasis from author)

We see these included in published studies for program evaluation in public health interventions. Breuer et al. (2016) has a systematic review where they call out studies that share about their development of a theory of change or use it as a part of the intervention and evaluation process.

These theories of change are used in..

  • Design public health interventions
  • Evaluation of public health interventions
  • Provide causal explanations (limited examples)

Reference

Breuer, E., Lee, L., De Silva, M., & Lund, C. (2016). Using theory of change to design and evaluate public health interventions: A systematic review. Implementation Science, 11, Article Number 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-016-0422-6

Logic Models as a Tool for Describing a Theory of Change (1 of 3) - Elements

Logic models generally include:

  • Inputs
  • Activities
  • Outputs
  • Outcomes
  • Impacts

(Linquiti, 2022)

Logic Models as a Tool for Describing a Theory of Change (2 of 3) - Definitions

Logic models are frequently used as tools to describe a theory of change in a visual format. These parts include:

  • Inputs: The resources (people, money, materials, knowledge) a program draws on to function.
  • Activities: The day-to-day tasks and operations staff carry out using those inputs.
  • Outputs: The direct, tangible products or services that result from those activities.
  • Outcomes: Changes experienced by the target audience as an indirect result of the outputs, maybe be causal links and things we are less certain about are less certain here.
  • Impacts: Longer-term effects measured against what would have happened without the program at all.

(Linquiti, 2022)

Logic Models as a Tool for Describing a Theory of Change (3 of 3) - Whats Evaluated

We can also break up these parts of the logic model for what a program evaluation might consider or focus on.

Efficiency (Effort is also sometimes defined here)

  • Inputs
  • Activities
  • Outputs

Effectiveness (Effect is also sometimes defined here)

  • Outcomes
  • Impacts

(Linquiti, 2022) (Sometimes -> Royse, 2023; Kapp & Anderson, 2010)

I want to go through and show some examples of logic models and other types of theories of change.

Examples of Logic Models - Wikimedia

A Logic Model example that illustrates the components of a logic model with information about how a program moves from inputs to outputs.

It begins with the situation — the needs, problems, stakeholders, and organizational context that justify the program’s existence.

From there it flows through:

Inputs — the resources invested (staff, money, expertise, materials, technology, partners)

Outputs — broken into who you reach, what activities you carry out, and what products you create as a result

Outcomes — organized across three time horizons:

  • Short-term: changes in learning (awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills)
  • Intermediate: changes in behavior and practice
  • Long-term: broader changes to social, economic, civic, and environmental conditions

Underlying the entire model are assumptions about how the program works, external factors that may influence results, and an evaluation process that runs throughout all stages.

Reference

Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). Wiki exampled logic model [Image]. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_exampled_Logic_Model.png

Examples of Logic Models - Residential Treatment Program

This is an example of a logic model I have shared with my SOWK 460w classes.

Resources/Inputs

  • Funding
  • Staff
  • Clients
  • Facilities

Activities

  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Residential care

Outputs

  • 4 weekly group therapy sessions
  • Weekly family therapy sessions for 30 families
  • 30 youth in residential care

Outcomes

  • Youth maintain participation in employment or education program
  • Youth maintain legal lifestyle

Impact

  • Families functioning productively
  • Families satisfied with functioning

adapted from Kapp & Anderson (2010) to focus on the identified categories where they included resources, staff activities, program proceses, immediate outcomes, intermediate outcomes, long-range outcomes.

Examples of Logic Models - Cardiovascular Health

They call out

  • Outputs are a counting or measurement of efforts made.
  • Outcomes are the benefits to the clientele or community; this is another way of saying what the impact of the activities (program) has been.
  • Resources can be partners or collaborators; they can supply funding or in-kind staff or even host educational or self-help material on their web sites.
  • Need, of course, would likely be determined from a needs assessment.
  • Antecedent conditions may or may not be necessary to list in all logic models

(Royse, 2023, p. 114)

Reference

Royse, D. (2023). Program evaluation: A practical guide for social work and the helping professions. Cognella Academic Publishing.

Examples of Logic Models - St. Louis County Greenbook Initiative (Overview)

This example is is an example from Hill and Thies (2010) where they document the development and application of a program theory and logic model for the St. Louis County Greenbook Initiative, a multi-agency collaboration addressing the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment.

Their logic model moves from conditions (fragmented services for families experiencing both DV and child abuse) → resources/inputs → strategies and activities (cross-training, batterer accountability, information sharing, system coordination) → short-term system-level outcomes → long-term client-level impacts (victim safety, family stability, reduced recidivism).

(Hill & Thies, 2010, p. 359)

Examples of Logic Models - St. Louis County Greenbook Initiative (Short Term Outcomes)

This is the short-term outcomes and system level change they include.

(Hill & Thies, 2010, p. 361)

Reference

Hill, J. R., & Thies, J. (2010). Program theory and logic model to address the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33(4), 356-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2010.03.001

Examples of Logic Models - Family Assessment Response Pathway

A logic model for the Family Assessment Response (FAR) Pathway in child welfare services.

The model follows a straightforward left-to-right progression:

  • Service/Activity — At intake, families are determined eligible for the FAR pathway and offered participation in it.
  • Output — Families engage with services through the FAR pathway.
  • Short-term Outcomes — Three initial results: improved relationships between families and their child welfare caseworker, increased family engagement in services, and families taking immediate steps to address child safety.
  • Intermediate Outcomes — Parents develop a better understanding of the issues that contributed to safety and neglect concerns, and families increase their knowledge and use of community supports to begin building long-term life skills and behavioral changes.
  • Long-term Outcomes — The ultimate goals of the pathway: safely reducing out-of-home placements, preventing repeat maltreatment, reducing repeat referrals, and improving overall child and family well-being.

1 of many examples in this report of a logic model. They call them out by components.

Reference

State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services. (2013). Child Welfare Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project: Initial Design and Implementation Report. https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/far-2013qtr1.pdf

I also wanted to share a couple of examples of other types of theories of change that might be considered.

Examples of Logic Models - Asada et al. (2019)

Paper by Asada et al. (2019) going through the process of showing how structural change efforts in suburban county were expected to produce long-term health improvements. After running a longitudinal case study the authors adapted the ToC to better reflect what actually happened on the ground. The outcome was this:

Readiness/Change Readiness spans the entire model as an overarching contextual factor influencing everything within it.

Two parallel tracks drive the model:

Capacity Building — Three internal elements work together: dedicated human capital (a designated staff person), formal and informal leadership, and technical assistance. These three collectively build increased organizational capacity to advance structural change.

Alliance Strengthening — Model Communities develop and enhance local partnerships, which produce enhanced collaborations. Leadership also connects bidirectionally with local partnerships, reflecting the mutual reinforcing relationship between the two tracks.

Both tracks converge on Increased Structural Changes in suburban Cook County, which feeds into two parallel pathways:

  • Sustainability of structural change (including funding to sustain change)
  • The structural changes themselves

Both of these then lead to Change in population behaviors, which ultimately produces Improved chronic disease outcomes.

Reference

Asada, Y., Gilmet, K., Welter, C., Massuda-Barnett, G., Kapadia, D. A., & Fagen, M. (2019). Applying theory of change to a structural change initiative. Health Education & Behavior, 46(3), 377-387. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/48625106

Examples of Logic Models - Rich and DiGregorio (2025)

The Theory of Change logic model for trauma-informed program planning from Rich & DiGregorio (2025).

The core logic model flows left to right through five stages, each with an embedded layer of TIC Behavioral Anchors — observable indicators of how trauma-informed principles are being applied at each step:

Program Need → Inputs → Activities/Outputs → Activating Experiences → Short/Medium/Long-Term Outcomes

Spanning beneath the main flow are Intra-Organizational Factors and Extra-Organizational Factors — internal and external conditions that can support or hinder implementation.

On both sides of the model are Advocacy and Collaboration, reflecting the expectation that program leaders will actively work to shape the organizational and policy environment rather than simply respond to it.

Reference

Rich, A. J., & DiGregorio, N. (2025). Theory of change logic modeling to support trauma-informed program design and implementation. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 9(3), 479-493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-025-00442-4

Examples of Logic Models - PDC

The Pasco Discovery Coalition Logic Model for addressing youth substance use and related behavioral health problems in the local community. Notably, this model runs right to left — starting from long-term consequences and working backward to current strategies — which frames the logic around understanding the problem before designing the response.

Long-Term Consequences (10–15 years out) — The problems the coalition is ultimately trying to prevent: poor school performance, youth delinquency, and mental health crises including depression and suicidal ideation.

Behavioral Health Problems (5–10 years) — The consumption behaviors driving those consequences: underage drinking, heavy drinking, marijuana use, prescription drug misuse, and tobacco use among 8th and 10th graders.

Intervening Variables (2–5 years) — The risk and protective factors explaining why these behaviors occur: community disorganization, easy availability of substances, favorable parental attitudes toward drug use, low perception of harm, peer influence, and family management problems.

Local Conditions and Contributing Factors (6 months–2 years) — Community-specific drivers: poverty, seasonal economy, language and cultural barriers, recent laws increasing substance access, adult misuse trends, and unsupervised youth with limited positive role models.

Strategies and Local Implementation — What the coalition is actively doing: community engagement, public awareness campaigns, environmental/policy strategies, school-based prevention programs, and direct family services.

Evaluation Plan — How impact will be measured across each strategy, including coalition surveys, community surveys, the Healthy Youth Survey, and pre/post program measures.