Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112550

Jenny McNeill, MPH, Policy Division, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650-859-5357, jenny.mcneill@sri.com

Improving the lives of California's young children and their families is the ultimate goal of First 5 California. To monitor progress in meeting this goal, First 5 California has developed an outcome-based accountability system, which tracks progress statewide on a set of indicators related to four result areas: improved child health, improved family functioning, improved child development, and improved systems of care. In this way, the statewide evaluation tracks changes in the well-being of First 5 program participants who are intensively served.

The outcome data on intensively served participants found that First 5 programs are reaching the highest-need and most at-risk children and families in California. The data also are being used to see how program participation affects attainment of several health and well-being outcomes (e.g., prenatal care, birth outcomes, breastfeeding practices, immunization status, identification of disabilities and other special needs, health insurance status, receipt of wellness check-ups, dental outcomes). These data help First 5 California and County Commissions to inform their funding and policy decisions, to continuously improve their programs for the benefit of California's young children and families, and to maintain accountability. These findings provide evidence for undertaking similar early childhood initiatives and policies in other states.

This presentation will include a description of the outcome-based accountability system, outcome data collected, and examples of how these data have been used.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. List at least one indicator related to each of First 5 California’s four result areas for children and families.
  6. Describe three health development outcomes for intensively served First 5 participants.
  9. Recognize three funding and policy implications of First 5 California’s participant outcomes for California and other states.

Related Web page: www.ccfc.ca.gov

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF being contracted to evaluate First 5 California.

Recorded presentation