Measuring Success in Child Welfare

      












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The National Study of Outcome Measurement

The National Study of Outcome Measurement in Public Child Welfare Services was funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). It was conducted in coordination with the American Humane Association's Children's Division (AHA) and the Child Welfare League of America's (CWLA) Managed Care Institute to describe the current state of outcome measurement in child welfare, identify successful outcome measurement strategies, and understand barriers to success. The information collected includes:

• Agency characteristics

• Agency outcome measurement initiatives

• Administrative data agencies use to measure outcomes 

• Clinical or functional measures agencies use to measure outcomes

• Agency management information system capacity

• Indicators that agencies use to assess program success

• Examples of innovative outcome measurement systems

• Barriers to successful outcome measurement system implementation 

• Future outcome measurement plans
  

Study Method

Public child welfare agencies in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 14 localities were invited to participate in the study. Localities with the largest child population in county/city administered states were identified using 1990 U.S. Census data. Agency staff who knew the most about their agency's experience in outcome reporting were first identified using contact information from AHA Outcomes Roundtable participant lists and the 1997-1998 APWA Public Welfare Directory. Through subsequent telephone interviews with agency staff, Center researchers were usually referred to agency data analysts or departments of quality assurance. Larger agencies often contained outcome reporting divisions. 

The study instrument was developed in coordination with the CWLA Managed Care Institute, AHA, and DCFS' Office of the Research Director. Several response categories for measures were developed from 1997 CWLA Managed Care Survey results (See Links). The survey was piloted in two states before national administration.

Response Rate

Thirty-five states and nine localities participated in the study by completing the survey or returning documents related to their outcome measurement plans. Both states and localities participated in seven states. The responses from the participating states and localities represent 83% of the nation's children age 0-17 (U.S. Census, 1990). Respondents were given the option of reporting publicly on their agency's outcome measurement activities. Some agencies chose to maintain confidentiality. Therefore all data is presented in the aggregate.

Participating States

The 32 states that returned questionnaires are listed below.

States in the National Survey of Outcome Measures in Public Child Welfare

Results

Results of the National Survey can be found in:

• Recommended, Mandated and State Implemented Measures

• State Administrative Data Measures

• Measuring Child and Family Functioning
  

    MichelleJohnson          or       
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    mjohnson@lava.net

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Children & Family Research Center, 1203 W. Oregon, Urbana, IL 61801  (217) 333-5837           Webmaster ccutter@uiuc.edu
                                                   10/20/00