Investments in Children's Services Clearinghouse

How Effective Are Our Investments?

Guidance on how to identify and track desired results

The following documents provide advice on how to develop and implement results-based accountability systems.

Resources from The Finance Project

Performance Management in Human Services Agencies, by Jan Kaplan, March   2003

Evaluation and Performance Measurement Capabilities for Internet Technologies in Human Services., by Jim Frech, January   2003
Price: $10 (order)

A Look at How Agencies Can Utilize Outcome and Performance Data to Enhance Service Delivery, by Iyauta Moore, January   2002

Informed Consent: Advice for State and Local Leaders on Implementing Results-Based Decision-making, by Sara D. Watson, November   2000
Price: $15 (order)

Using Results to Improve the Lives of Children and Families: A Guide for Public-Private Child Care Partnerships, by Child Care Partnership Project, June   2000

Performance Management in Human Services, by Jessica Yates, October   1997

A Guide to Developing and Using Performance Measures in Results-Based Budgeting, by Mark Friedman, May   1997
Price: $15 (order)

A Guide to Selecting Results and Indicators: Implementing Results-Based Budgeting, by Atelia Melaville, May   1997
Price: $15 (order)

A Strategy Map for Results-Based Budgeting: Moving from Theory to Practice, by Mark Friedman, September   1996
Price: $15 (order)

Other Resources

Performance Management in State and Local Government, Rockefeller Institute of Government, July   2005

Performance Management: A "Start Where You Are, Use What You Have" Guide, by Chris Wye, IBM Endowment for the Business of Government, October   2002

Performance-Based Budgeting: Opportunities and Challenges, U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), September   2002 See Description

Results Accountability 101 Workbook, Fiscal Policy Studies Institute, September   2002

Making Use of Outcome Information for Improving Services: Recommendations for Nonprofit Organizations, by Elaine Morley , Harry P. Hatry and Jake Cowan, Urban Institute, September   2002

Performance Measurement, by Frances Winslow, American Society for Public Administration, September   2002

Benchmarking Intangibles, by Melissa "Mickey" Skelton and Christine Blagg, American Productivity and Quality Center, August   2002

Moving Ahead on Results Accountability: The Human Element, by Sara Watson, Harvard Family Research Project, August   2002

Data and Evidence Gathering: Strategies and Challenges, by Hilary Kopp, School-to-Work Intermediary Project, May   2002 See Description

The Language of Accountability, Foundation Consortium, May   2002

The Whole Distance from Results to What Works Exercise, Foundation Consortium, May   2002

Governing for Results, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, March   2002

Citizens’ Budget Reports: Improving Performance and Accountability in Government, by Geoffrey F. Segal and Adam B. Summers, Reason Public Policy Institute, March   2002

Overcoming Obstacles In Balanced Scorecard Implementation, American Productivity and Quality Center, February   2002

Results-Oriented Performance Agreements: A Key Tool for Setting Clear Expectations, by John Kamensky, American Society for Public Administration, January   2002

What Works? Integrating Multiple Data Sources and Policy Research Methods in Assessing Need and Evaluating Outcomes in Community-Based Child and Family Service Systems, by Elan Melamid, Rand Corporation   2002 See Description

Indicators of Effectiveness: Understanding and Improving Foundation Performance, The Center for Effective Philanthropy   2002

Ensuring Effective Data Collection, by Chris Gardner, American Productivity and Quality Center, December   2001

An Agenda for Action: Outcome Management for Nonprofit Organizations, by Harry P. Hatry and Linda M. Lampkin, eds., Urban Institute, December   2001

Common Sense for Performance Measurement, by William D. Coplin & Carol Dwyer, American Society for Public Administration, September   2001

What is "Managing for Results"?, by John M. Kamensky, American Society for Public Administration, July   2001

The Power of Outcomes: Strategic Thinking to Improve Results for Our Children, Families, and Communities, National Governors' Association, July   2001 See Description

Implementing Results-Based Decisionmaking: Advice from the Field, National Governors' Association, June   2001 See Description

Making Results Based State Government Work, by Blaine Liner, Harry Hatry, Elisa Vinson, Ryan Allen, Pat Dusenberry, Scott Bryant, Ron Snell, Urban Institute, April   2001

Results and Performance Accountability: Cheat Sheet, Foundation Consortium, April   2001

State Approaches to Governing-for-Results and Accountability, by Blaine Liner, Pat Dusenbury and Elisa Vinson, Urban Institute, December   2000

Transitioning to Performance-based Government, Reason Public Policy Institute, November   2000

Reinventing Performance Measurement, Management, and Reporting, by Robert Herz, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, September   2000

Community-Level Indicators for Understanding Health and Human Services Issues: A Compendium of Selected Indicator Systems and Resource Organizations, by Deborah Gibbs and Brett Brown, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, September   2000

Outcomes, Standards, and Accountability in School/Community Partnerships, by Sid Gardner, Center for Collaboration for Children, April   2000

Ideas for Research Linking Progams and Outcomes Measures, Child Trends, Inc., March   2000

The Results and Performance Accountability Implementation Guide Tools Index, by Mark Friedman, Foundation Consortium   2000

Achieving and Measuring Community Outcomes: Challenges, Issues, Some Approaches, by National United Way, United Way of America   1999