1. The Challenges of Measuring the Impact of Proposition 10. Building Community Systems for Young Children.
- Author
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California Univ., Los Angeles. Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities., Sutherland, Carol, McCroskey, Jacquelyn, and Halfon, Neal
- Abstract
In compliance with California's Proposition 10 (Children and Families First Act), county commissions are being asked to monitor what differences the family support programs they are funding are making in the lives of the children and families they serve. Each commission has the responsibility of selecting a set of indicators to measure the impact of Proposition 10 on the lives of all children from birth to age 5 and their families, as well as performance measures to assess the changes in the client population targeted. This report provides a historical overview of how indicators have been used to measure child and family well-being and recent innovations in monitoring strategies necessitated by results-based decision making. The report also discusses approaches that can be used to facilitate the indicator selection process, and offers recommendations for funding and using results-based decision making to build effective monitoring efforts. Following an introduction, the report reviews research to date on indicators and results-based decision making. The next section of the report explores use of results, indicators, and performance measures, including language issues, use of a conceptual framework, and criteria for indicator selection. Issues of integrating and coordinating data collection are then explored. The report concludes with recommendations on funding and using results-based decision making, including investing in a county-wide and state-wide data infrastructure, and developing a research agenda. The report's nine appendices include a language translation key for Proposition 10 guidelines terminology; examples of indicators of short-term results; a matrix of existing child well-being indicators; and examples of indicators related to service integration, accessibility, and cultural appropriateness. (Contains 41 references.) (HTH)
- Published
- 2001