The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69656

Dana Petersen, MA, MPH, Policy Division, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650-859-4518, dana.petersen@sri.com

First 5 California presents a historic opportunity to demonstrate to the public and others that making strategic investments in the infrastructure and services that support the development of California's youngest citizens can pay off. In addition, First 5 California and its evaluation provide a unique opportunity to learn what types of investment seem to add the most value (i.e., are associated with greater improvement in well-being) for specific communities and groups. They also provide an opportunity to improve existing community-based programs and strategies through documenting their performance and results and using that information to refine practices and policies at the community, county, and state levels. Finally, First 5 California and its evaluation present an opportunity to set policy agenda for serving children and families by publicly monitoring key conditions of their well-being and community support. This paper discusses the ways in which data collected through the various evaluation components of First 5 California (systems change, child and family outcomes, service delivery monitoring) can inform community-, county-, and state-level accountability efforts, continuous improvement of strategies and programs, and funding and policy decisions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand First 5 California evaluation methods used to identify promising practices (i.e., strategies linked to greater improvements in child, family, and community outcomes).
• Recognize funding and policy implications of First 5 California.
• Describe data types collected via First 5 California systems change surveys, child and family outcome tracking, and service delivery monitoring.

Keywords: Evaluation, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: First 5 California State Commission
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: consultant