CPE Program Planning and Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stakeholder group is MOST important to involve in the earliest stages of peer education program planning?
- External accreditation bodies
- Program funders and grant committees
- Members of the target population (Correct answer)
- University faculty advisors
Correct answer: Members of the target population
Involving the target population early ensures the program is culturally relevant, addresses real needs, and increases participant buy-in and engagement.
Question 2: A program 'theory of change' is best described as:
- A written policy outlining organizational change procedures
- An explanation of how and why a set of activities will lead to desired outcomes (Correct answer)
- A financial model showing how program costs change over time
- A staff training schedule focused on behavior modification
Correct answer: An explanation of how and why a set of activities will lead to desired outcomes
A theory of change articulates the causal pathway — the logical sequence of assumptions — that explains how program activities will produce the intended outcomes.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of setting program benchmarks during the planning phase?
- To determine participant eligibility criteria
- To establish interim milestones for measuring progress toward program goals (Correct answer)
- To identify peer educators who need additional training
- To calculate the program's return on investment
Correct answer: To establish interim milestones for measuring progress toward program goals
Benchmarks provide checkpoints that allow program coordinators to assess whether activities are on track and make adjustments before the program concludes.
Question 4: The PRECEDE-PROCEED model is commonly used in peer education program planning because it:
- Focuses exclusively on individual behavior change without considering the environment
- Provides a comprehensive framework that considers predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors (Correct answer)
- Is specifically designed for crisis intervention programs
- Requires no stakeholder involvement during the planning phase
Correct answer: Provides a comprehensive framework that considers predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors
The PRECEDE-PROCEED model guides planners to assess educational, behavioral, environmental, and organizational factors before designing and implementing health education programs.
Question 5: When identifying program resources during the planning phase, which consideration should come FIRST?
- Identifying and mapping existing community assets and resources (Correct answer)
- Purchasing new equipment and materials
- Hiring additional staff members
- Applying for outside grant funding
Correct answer: Identifying and mapping existing community assets and resources
Asset mapping helps planners understand what resources already exist in the community, preventing duplication of services and maximizing efficiency before seeking new funding.
Question 6: What is the key difference between a program GOAL and a program OBJECTIVE?
- Goals are measurable and time-bound; objectives are broad and aspirational
- Goals are broad, long-term statements of intent; objectives are specific, measurable steps to achieve them (Correct answer)
- Goals are written by funders; objectives are written by program staff
- Goals apply to peer educators; objectives apply to program participants
Correct answer: Goals are broad, long-term statements of intent; objectives are specific, measurable steps to achieve them
Goals describe the overall desired end state of the program, while objectives are the concrete, measurable milestones that must be achieved to reach the goal.
Question 7: Community coalition building is an important strategy in peer education program planning primarily because:
- It reduces the need for program evaluation
- It allows peer educators to avoid working with other organizations
- It leverages diverse expertise, resources, and community trust to strengthen program reach and sustainability (Correct answer)
- It transfers all program responsibility to community volunteers
Correct answer: It leverages diverse expertise, resources, and community trust to strengthen program reach and sustainability
Coalitions bring together multiple partners whose combined resources, relationships, and knowledge increase the program's capacity and long-term viability.
CPE Program Planning and Development 2
Which stakeholder group is MOST important to involve in the earliest stages of peer education program planning?