Finding the Data : A Start-Up List of Outcome Measures with Annotations. A Companion Document to "The Case for Shifting to Results-Based Accountability." / Brett Brown and Judith Weitz.

Shifting to results-based accountability is a difficult stage in reforming family and children's services. Heretofore, these services have been more concerned with the number of clients seen or papers processed than in their clients' quality of life. This document should help communities find the data they need to measure qualitative outcomes. It provides a core list of conditions, for example, birthweight, immunizations, substance abuse, and teen suicide. Information on defining outcomes, finding the data to measure outcomes, and analyzing the data to assess local performance is listed. Also listed are various state and local data collection offices which may be able to help groups collect and appraise their data. Each definition for the outcome had to define the problem accurately, reflect data that were readily available, and be useable over time and across jurisdictions. This rigor in defining conditions will: (1) help communities determine the outcomes on which data are already being collected; (2) provide them a baseline to measure future progress; and (3) highlight areas where they should focus their work. Appendices list organizations, by state, that collect data on topics such as child welfare, juvenile justice, and other areas. Also appended are U.S. standard birth and death certificates. (Contains 25 references.) (RJM)

Community. ericd

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.