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Explore the importance of using data in a meaningful way to improve outcomes for children in the foster care system. Learn how Fostering Court Improvement (FCI) collaborates with courts and agencies to collect, interpret, and analyze data for informed decision-making and reform efforts.
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Fostering Court ImprovementOne Collaborative Model of Data Capture and Analysis Betsy Hyder Executive Director, FCI betsy@FosteringCourtImprovement.org
The Data Movement Where are we headed? Collecting data is not new and it is not the mission…. rather, using data in a meaningful way IS the mission. Meaningful means that sharing the information makes readily apparent how even one family is affected.
Cast a Vision • Let’s talk more “why” today and less “how” • Architects start with a physical model of their design • What we study today is available to you • Let’s leverage the opportunity • Cast a vision – what kind of court do you want to be a part of?
FCI.. The organization “We assist collaborative vision-casters…” • Formed 2006 • Founded on the collaborative principles of Fostering Results of The Pew Charitable Trusts • Fueled by the expertise at UIUC and Emory • Funded by Pew, SJI, and Barton Fund • Offering products and services in court reporting, data analysis and interpretation, and assistance with identifying meaningful change strategies
FCI’s Primary Objective ... to foster court-agency collaboration around data use and sharing so that data can be used to guide the decision making process and reform efforts in hopes of improving outcomes for children.
State Case Management Systems Calendaring Systems Administrative Systems Special Applications SACWIS? Federal AFCARS NCANDS Data Sources Our Focus Today: What can these data report that is of value to the court?
Some FCI Measures Are these relevant to the court? • Available by 1) county 2) judicial district 3) judicial circuit 4) state agency region And much more….
Some FCI Measures AND…. performance can be compared: • Year to year • Quarter to quarter • County to county • County to state • State ranking by county OR…. Over several years
The better news about AFCARS…. • Every state has these data • national context! • no system design $$$ • no system development $$$ • no data input $$$ • Automatic history • trends/time context • up to eight (8) years of data • Recognize the time/effort value • Time Relevant • Published every six (6) months
So what does FCI do? • Collaborates • Becomes a permitted user and keeper of your state’s AFCARS data set • Produces processed measures from it for court and agency use • Data Use • Produces charts and reports on in multiple ways for court and agency LOCAL use • Guide • Trains state personnel how to use/interpret/analyze FCI data • Improve Outcomes • Partners with you in your local data program to produce meaningful information from FCI data that is relevant and meaningful to your court, agency and community
What FCI provides • Processing of your state agency data • multiple years simultaneously • Generation of reports and charts • all available FCI measures; all sectors simultaneously • Stored, maintained and ready to use at all times • FCI website repository • Web accessibility • From anywhere • Data updates available every six (6) months • Rapid processing • GA, MO data current through September ‘06 • Standard report formats (1 currently, 4 additional formats in development)
Report Formats Coming soon…. • CFSR 2001 • CFSR 2006 • Toolkit Measures (9 of 30) • Reports of Progress
The Start Line • Once you have data, charts and reports… you have reached the start line! • Distributing the information in a meaningful and relevant way to the courts, agency and stakeholders is difficult! • They will not be web users…. • Summary analysis and materials are mandatory
The Start Line cont.’ • Today you will see and hear about the necessity of data interpretation when reviewing FCI measures… or any data measures • FCI can help in this critical step of data USE… change comes from data use not data production • “Ramp Up” is a service package designed to train you in data analysis and interpretation • You can get started in weeks…. Not months or years
So why FCI measures? • It is available • It is an easy data program to implement • It is inexpensive • It is collaborative • It is context for ANY existing state data program • It is the only basis for national comparisons • Expertise is available for guidance …. Because your time is needed NOW to change outcomes for children