What is the best first step in developing a health education program budget?

Establishing program goals is a fundamental first step in developing a health education program budget because it provides the necessary framework for assessing the resources needed to achieve those goals. By clearly defining what the program aims to accomplish, you can identify specific activities, resources, and corresponding costs that align with those objectives.

Setting program goals helps to guide decisions on budget allocation, ensuring that the finances directly support desired outcomes. This strategic approach allows for a more focused budgeting process, as all proposed expenses can be directly tied to achieving the program's mission and objectives. Understanding what you want to achieve also allows for better prioritization of funding and resource allocation, ultimately leading to a more effective health education initiative.

In contrast, while reviewing budget requests, preparing a budget calendar, and defining administrative roles are all important components of the budget preparation process, they typically follow the establishment of clear goals. Without defined goals, it becomes challenging to effectively assess what funding is needed or to prioritize expenditures in a meaningful way.