To ensure the effectiveness of programs or efforts for which you have responsibility.The same is true for illegal or unethical acts that are harmful to society, to particular groups, and to those who are meant to be served or helped by the groups or individuals committing those acts. Corruption by public officials-including the theft or misdirection of government funds and goods-can often be prevented, detected, or stopped by careful oversight. Oversight includes processes for protecting against unfair treatment in which some groups benefit and others are excluded. To control unfair treatment, corruption, illegality, and unethical behavior.Oversight may be used to make sure those agencies, corporations, and other entities – or departments or programs within those entities – are operating according to the rules set up by laws, controlling agencies, funders, or the entities themselves. To ensure adherence to laws and regulations.We normally think of quality control as an industrial issue, but it also applies to the quality of services, facilities, etc. Oversight is also used to hold individuals and groups accountable for operating legally, ethically, and responsibly, and for producing the services, products, and/or outcomes they have promised or are contracted to provide. There are a number of reasons why you might want to set up oversight: We’ll discuss establishing oversight mechanisms with that in mind. Maintaining the quality of these activities requires oversight mechanisms that reflect the vision, mission, values, and goals of the groups and individuals engaging in them. The activities of community health and development organizations can span a broad range, from planning, to intervention, to advocacy, among others. Where oversight involves responsibility for the functioning and/or results of something, it can be set up within an agency, corporation, institution, or organization, or may be overseen by another body. When oversight is unofficial, the overseeing group or individual may be self-appointed, or may be asked to do the job. When oversight is official, the mechanisms for it – as well as the individual or group that is responsible for exercising it – are often specified by the laws or regulations that require it. Oversight may be official – required by law or by external or internal regulations – or unofficial, as in the case of a watchdog group overseeing whether a government agency conducts itself fairly and according to its mandate. For instance, good oversight can detect illegal or unethical practices on the part of a business or government agency, pinpoint and change bad financial practices in a non-profit organization, or make sure that the public’s health is protected. It is meant to catch potential problems as they arise, and to make sure that nothing is being done that’s likely to cause problems later. Oversight is a matter of someone paying attention. Just as every writer needs an editor, those doing work that affects the community need monitoring to assure that their work is effective, of high quality, and follows rules and regulations properly. Oversight involves taking responsibility for the operation, implementation, and/or outcome of a process, program, organization or institution, or effort.Īn oversight mechanism is the system or process used to maintain a watchful eye. For instance, in the case of a citizen review board, an internal group monitors the quality and effectiveness of the service their organization provides. Oversight refers to maintaining a watchful eye on something. What do we mean by oversight and oversight mechanisms? In this section, we’ll look at ways to set up processes that help assure accountability. A diverse committee that reviews the experiences of patients at a local clinic.A system by which students can evaluate their courses and the teaching of their instructors.An in-house quality control team that determines whether the company’s methods and products are up to standard.A citizen review board that investigates complaints of police brutality.Learn how to set up oversight systems and processes that are relevant to community health and community building.Įxamples of oversight mechanisms include: