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

Abstract #69593

Donna Spiker, PhD, Policy Division, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650-859-6184, donna.spiker@sri.com

First 5 California creates an exciting opportunity for California to forge existing service elements into a coordinated and enduring infrastructure that supports the optimal development of its young children and families. Its vision for an improved system of care includes service systems that are more integrated, comprehensive, culturally appropriate, accessible, and prevention focused. Funds are being used to create new and cross-cutting strategies and programs to address unmet needs and to improve the quality and accessibility of existing services.

This paper discusses important components of First 5 California's systems change efforts, systems change indicators, and methods for measuring systems change at three levels: County Commission, funded program, and program participant. To understand how the collective work of the State Commission, County Commissions, and funded programs effects systems change, data will be collected from a variety of respondent groups (e.g., County Commission staff, funded-program staff, school personnel, participating families) using several methods (e.g., narrative sections of County Commission reports and multiple survey instruments). For instance, systems change surveys of the County Commission Executive Directors ask about the strategies funded to improve systems and about perceptions of the effectiveness of those strategies. Program surveys address involvement and use of various systems improvement strategies. Participant surveys assess satisfaction with services provided, cultural appropriateness, accessibility and availability, quality, and family centeredness and participants' perceptions of the accessibility and adequacy of other key services in their community.

Learning Objectives:

• Define systems change.
• List five indicators of systems change.
• Identify three evaluation methods for measuring systems change.

Keywords: Evaluation, Infrastructure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: subcontractor