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

Structural Supports
Susan Besio, Ph.D.
Director of Planning
Vermont Agency of Human Services
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Statutory Framework
1998 - Vermont Legislature provided
statutory authority for :
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Ten Outcomes of Social Well-being for
Vermonters
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Regional Partnerships
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State Team for Children and Families
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Vermont Research Partnership
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Reports on Well-being
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10 Outcomes
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FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND INDIVIDUALS ARE ENGAGED IN
THEIR COMMUNITY’S DECISIONS AND ACTIVITIES
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PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN THRIVE
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CHILDREN ARE READY FOR SCHOOL
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CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL
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CHILDREN LIVE IN STABLE, SUPPORTED FAMILIES
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YOUTH CHOOSE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS
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YOUTH SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD
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ADULTS LEAD HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES
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ELDERS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LIVE WITH DIGNITY
AND INDEPENDENCE IN SETTINGS THEY PREFER
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COMMUNITIES PROVIDE SAFETY AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES
AND INDIVIDUALS
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Regional Partnerships

Purposes:
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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.
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Twelve across the state
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Part-time Coordinators
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Membership: consumers, family members, state and
local agencies, economic development representatives,
business leaders, and any other interested citizens and
parties
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Regional Partnerships, Cont.
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Complement and work closely with state
government in the regions
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Facilitate inclusive community process
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Focus on outcomes
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Monitor local data
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Support local decision-making
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Develop strategies to meet local strengths
and needs
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Evaluate change
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State Team for Children, Families
and Individuals
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Purposes:
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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
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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
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State Team, cont.
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Sub-committees for each of ten
outcomes to identify:
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Heartening and troublesome indicators
Recommendations
Actions / Strategies for improvement
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Monthly meetings focused on one of ten
outcomes
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Annual Outcomes-based Planning
Report
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Vermont Research Partnership
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Purpose:

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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
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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
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Monthly meetings to report on progress
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Annual report to legislature on research project
findings
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Annual legislative day
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All day forum for state staff regarding studies,
findings
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Tools
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Indicators for Outcomes
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AHS Senior Policy Analyst Dedicated to Outcomes
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4 to 12 indicators for each outcomes
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Multiple sources:
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Criteria for Selection:
US Census, Vital Statistics, Schools, AHS
Administrative Data, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, etc.
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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
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Annual Performance Documents
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Social Well-Being of Vermonters
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Outcomes-Based Planning
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Selected state comparisons over time
Detailed narrative with recommendations and strategies
Community Profiles
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All available national comparisons over time
“Top-level” narrative
All available Supervisory Union level data over time
No narrative
New Tool: AHS Scorecard
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Selected AHS indictors over time
No narrative
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Document Purposes
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Inventory of data (descriptive)
Education/Information sharing
Monitoring trends
Needs Assessment/Grant Writing
Strategic Planning
Advocacy
Accountability/Focus on Outcomes
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Recent Observations
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State Team “preaching to itself” – leaders
not involved
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Research Partnership not well-integrated
with State Team, Regional Partnerships
or State Managers / Programs
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Published Documents not widely used at
state level for strategic changes /
performance-based management
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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)?
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New Directions: State Team
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Point of Accountability for Cross-Cutting Key
issues (e.g., Incarcerated Women’s initiative)
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Quarterly meetings with data presentations on key
indicators, trends, regional comparisons
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AHS, Education Leaders at quarterly meetings to
focus on results
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Regional teams present to report on differences in
strategies

Vermont Research Partnership at quarterly meetings
to identify and report on related research
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New Directions: Documents
Social Well-Being
Outcomes-based Planning
Specialized Performance
Documents:
Community Profiles
AHS Scorecard
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
Regional Report Cards
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