CIS Working Paper Series

MODELING PARTICIPANT FLOWS IN HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS

Participants flow into, through and out of human service programs in complex ways: into a program's screening process and out again without receiving services (ineligibility); from one state of receiving services to another (progress and setbacks); and out of the program and back in (repeating). The complete set of flows, if described accurately and measured precisely, is valuable for understanding a program both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Drawing on the traditions of the information systems field, we propose a methodology for defining and graphically modeling participant flows. The methodology, Status-Transition-Cycle (STC) mapping, suggests a common approach for program planning, knowledge transfer, statistical reporting, and information systems design. We present the principles, components, and implications of STC mapping and a case study of its use.

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