1 Structural Supports Susan Besio, Ph.D. Director of Planning Vermont Agency of Human Services

2 Statutory Framework Vermont Legislature provided statutory authority for : Ten Outcomes of Social Well-being for Vermonters Regional Partnerships State Team for Children and Families Vermont Research Partnership Reports on Well-being

3 10 Outcomes FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND INDIVIDUALS ARE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITY’S DECISIONS AND ACTIVITIES PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN THRIVE CHILDREN ARE READY FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL CHILDREN LIVE IN STABLE, SUPPORTED FAMILIES YOUTH CHOOSE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS YOUTH SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD ADULTS LEAD HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES ELDERS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE IN SETTINGS THEY PREFER COMMUNITIES PROVIDE SAFETY AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

4 Regional Partnerships Purposes:  Develop and implement local strategies for improving the social well-being of Vermonters,  Advise the agency of human services and the department of education re: effective implementation of state and local health, human services, and education programs. Twelve across the state Part-time Coordinators Membership: consumers, family members, state and local agencies, economic development representatives, business leaders, and any other interested citizens and parties

5 Regional Partnerships, Cont. Complement and work closely with state government in the regions  Facilitate inclusive community process  Focus on outcomes  Monitor local data  Support local decision-making  Develop strategies to meet local strengths and needs  Evaluate change

6 State Team for Children, Families and Individuals Purposes:  Support the activities of the regional partnerships  Participate in the development and implementation of state policies and programs designed to improve the well-being of Vermonters. Co-chaired by AHS Director of Planning and Regional Partnership Coordinator Membership: regional partnership coordinators; representatives of state departments which serve children, families and individuals; directors of private sector service and advocacy organizations; institutions of higher education, and any other interested parties

7 State Team, cont. Sub-committees for each of ten outcomes to identify:  Heartening and troublesome indicators  Recommendations  Actions / Strategies for improvement Monthly meetings focused on one of ten outcomes Annual Outcomes-based Planning Report

8 Vermont Research Partnership Purpose:  To study and make recommendations for improving the effectiveness of state and local health, human services, and education programs. Chaired by UVM Membership: UVM faculty, Agency of Human Services Planning Division staff, Department of Education Staff

9 Vermont Research Partnership, cont. Each year, faculty identify 8 to 10 human service or education programs for research and evaluation regarding effectiveness, best practices re: ten outcomes Monthly meetings to report on progress Annual report to legislature on research project findings Annual legislative day All day forum for state staff regarding studies, findings

10 Tools

11 Indicators for Outcomes AHS Senior Policy Analyst Dedicated to Outcomes 4 to 12 indicators for each outcomes Multiple sources: US Census, Vital Statistics, Schools, AHS Administrative Data, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, etc. Criteria for Selection:  Reliable  Valid  Updated routinely  Reflect statewide population (not program-specific populations) Examples: % Low Birthrate % of kindergartners fully immunized Rate of teen violent deaths Rate of adult abuse and neglect victims

12 Annual Performance Documents Social Well-Being of Vermonters  All available national comparisons over time  “Top-level” narrative Outcomes-Based Planning  Selected state comparisons over time  Detailed narrative with recommendations and strategies Community Profiles  All available Supervisory Union level data over time  No narrative New Tool: AHS Scorecard  Selected AHS indictors over time  No narrative

13 Document Purposes Inventory of data (descriptive) Education/Information sharing Monitoring trends Needs Assessment/Grant Writing Strategic Planning Advocacy Accountability/Focus on Outcomes

14 Recent Observations State Team “preaching to itself” – leaders not involved Research Partnership not well-integrated with State Team, Regional Partnerships or State Managers / Programs Published Documents not widely used at state level for strategic changes / performance-based management

15 Overarching Question How do we achieve better alignment between our tools, partners and processes to actualize the intent of the Outcomes Legislation (i.e., to improve the well-being of Vermonters by increasing effectiveness of state and local health, human services, and education programs)?

16 New Directions: State Team Point of Accountability for Cross-Cutting Key issues (e.g., Incarcerated Women’s initiative)  Quarterly meetings with data presentations on key indicators, trends, regional comparisons  AHS, Education Leaders at quarterly meetings to focus on results  Regional teams present to report on differences in strategies  Vermont Research Partnership at quarterly meetings to identify and report on related research

17 New Directions: Documents Social Well-Being Outcomes-based Planning Annual report on Vermonters (a Sourcebook on Well-being) Incorporates all available indictors for ten outcomes National and state comparisons References to Community Profile data Highlights AHS Report Card Data Brief narrative about indicators and interpretation of trends Includes Vermont Research Partnership findings re: effective strategies / programs Community Profiles AHS Scorecard Regional Report Cards Specialized Performance Documents: