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Better results for kids and families through research-informed policy

Framework

 

Framework: How This Website Connects Policy With Results

Focus on Results.  Focusing on the results, or priorities, that we want to achieve as a nation for children and families is an approach to developing priorities that can be easily understood and embraced by the general public. Policy priorities based on evidence about achieving results then drive decisions about specific policy options, programs, practices and investment of taxpayer dollars. When policy implementation is anchored by a results framework, policymakers can track progress and make adjustments as needed to achieve better outcomes for children and families in a transparent and common-sense way.  

How To Use This Website

The tools in this website are organized using the following framework.    

1. What Results Do You Want?    Priorities and Indicators

Determine what you want to achieve, such as "strong families" or "economic success" and identify key data indicators available to measure your progress.

2. How Are Your Kids?    Trends, Root Causes, Projection, and Targets  
Examine data trends in your state and compare these trends with other states and national averages. Analyze the root causes behind the data with guidance for thinking about data projections and setting targets for improvement.

3. What Works?   Strategies and Success Stories
Select concise and powerful strategies based on research that shows effectiveness. Consider success stories from jurisdictions using the strategies presented here.

4. How Can You Ensure Success?   Implementation and Accountability
Find tools for implementation and monitoring accountability.

5. How Can You Sustain Success?  Financing and Investing Options

Locate financing strategies to invest in the results you want to achieve. 

 

Cross-cutting Resources that apply to all policy areas:

  • Strategies for protecting kids and families during major fiscal challenges. This resource provides guidance for how to maximize federal resources and approach budget balancing while at the same time protecting the well-being of children and families.
  • Tools: Self-assessments, check lists, printable summaries or diagnostic tools and other help for users of the site.

Stringent criteria were used to select the indicators and recommended strategies on this website. For example, the indicators are limited to those for which 50-state data are available and those that research or practice indicates can be improved. All indicators and  strategies were chosen in consultation with issue experts and based on specific research regarding their effectiveness. Levels of evidence were identified and used to guide the selection of strategies and recommendations.

Questions To Consider

  • What results or goals does your state want to accomplish for children and families?
  • How will you know if your children and families are thriving?
  • How do you know that these results are important to your constituents?                                                                                       

What You Need To Know

  • Focusing on results helps build consensus. Helping everyone focus on the goal creates common ground and sets a strong, achievable course for the future.    
  • Results can mobilize public support for change. Results are ambitious goals that people can work both individually and collectively to accomplish.
  • Progress leads to more progress. Improvement of one result usually has a positive impact on others.   

Results-based  Public Policy. View slides about developing a comprehensive, results-focused public policy agenda.

A Common Sense Approach.  Focusing on results is a common-sense approach to help set priorities and accomplish measurable change. See how the Connecticut Legislature has embedded a results approach to budgeting and policy.

Learn More. For information on results-based accountability, see the Fiscal Policy Studies Institute or Trying Hard Isn’t Good Enough by Mark Friedman.

Child and Family Well-being Framework. The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) is committed to a vision of a better life for all children and families. It’s about promoting equal opportunities and better futures, and the well-being of children and families is the focus of all of our work.

What Leaders Say About This Site. Watch a video of a former governor, former legislator and a former foundation president on why PolicyForResults is a useful tool for policymakers.