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

Abstract #68715

Lisa M. Thompson, MPH¹, Ericka Tullis, MPP¹, Carol Sutherland, PhD, MPH², Vani Kumar, MPP¹, Sara Archibald, MPH¹, and Neal Halfon, MD, MPH³. (1) Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 10945 LeConte Avenue, Suite 1401, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6939, 310-825-8042, lisathompson@mednet.ucla.edu, (2) Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Development, California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), One University Drive, Camarillo, CA 93012, (3) Schools of Public Health and Medicine, UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 61-254 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Background: Based on a review of the early childhood literature, a set of critical pathways to school readiness were developed for use in planning and implementation of a county-wide early childhood initiative. The pathways identified ultimate outcomes using the National Education Goals Panel definition of school readiness, as well as the intermediate outcomes, service strategies, access and quality improvement strategies, and system change strategies that are linked causally to the ultimate outcomes.

Method: The relationships between strategies and outcomes were examined to guide funding allocations and the selection of outcome measures. Comparisons were made between the critical pathways and the strategic plan to inform strategic plan revisions.

Results: Strategies found to be missing from the strategic plan pointed to additional investments needed to achieve desired outcomes. Strategies found to lead to multiple outcomes were identified as cost-effective investments. Appropriate countywide indicators and program performance measures were selected for use in evaluation.

Discussion: The pathways are a theoretical foundation and useful tool for planning and evaluation. For planning, the pathways can be one basis for making funding allocations. Other considerations include community input, needs assessment, political realities, and available funding. For evaluation, data capacity among service providers is an important factor in the selection of indicators in addition to the casual relationships implied in the pathways.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, participants will be familiar with the outcomes and strategies that constitute a pathway to school readiness, and will understand how critical pathways can be used for strategic planning and evaluation purposes.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.