The NY Times notes that, though the main goal of implementing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is to reduce costs and improve efficiency, EHRs actually have the potential to make a greater impact in the field of medical research because of the rich data they contain. For further information: NY Times Article
NY Times Highlights the Importance of Electronic Health Records for Health Data Read More »
Social workers will no longer be required to get a court order before accessing school records of children in foster care.The purpose of this legislation is to improve school outcomes for children in foster care. Social workers will be able to better facilitate the transfer of records from a child’s previous school to his/her current
Federal Bill Gives Social Workers Better Access to Foster Kids’ Education Records Read More »
This study examined the unique and combined associations of homelessness and school mobility with educational well-being indicators, as well as the mediating effect of absenteeism, for an entire cohort of third-grade students in Philadelphia. Using integrated archival administrative data from the public school district and the municipal Office of Supportive Housing, multilevel linear models were
Abstract: Findings from administrative data for youth age 12 to 17 enrolled in Medicaid This report demonstrates the use of state administrative data to measure adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and to quantify associations between these experiences and behavioral health problems identified during adolescence. The adverse experiences reported include the occurrence of the following in the
Jon Baron argues the Importance of Applying Evidence to Social Programs In a New York Times Economix article Jon Baron, President of the Coaliation for Evidence-Based Policy, argues that in order for social programs and policies to work better, the focus needs to shift to “scientific evidence of ‘what works.’” He notes that fields such as medicine
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Abstract: Graduation and Drop-out Rates for Students Who Were 9th Graders in 2005-2006 High school progress indicators and outcomes are described for a statewide cohort of youth served by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). This report is the first product of a federally funded cross-agency effort (ARRA, 2009) that provided
Washington State Study on High School Outcomes for DSHS-Served Youth Read More »
Abstract: Programs providing Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRR) assistance served 15,057 individuals in 2010, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Assistance may include rent assistance, relocation and stabilization assistance, security deposits, utility payments and other financial help to help stabilize someone at risk of losing their current
Abstract: Graduation and Drop-out Rates for Students Who Were 9th Graders in 2005-2006 High school progress indicators and outcomes are described for a statewide cohort of youth served by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). This report is the first product of a federally funded cross-agency effort (ARRA, 2009) that provided
High School Outcomes for DSHS-served Youth (Washington State) Read More »
Permanent Options for Recovery-Centered Housing: Year 1 Annual Report The Housing Status of Individuals Discharged from Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities Identifying Homeless and Unstably Housed DSHS Clients in Multiple Service Systems
Washington State August 2012 Housing Reports Read More »
A new article in the California Journal of Politics and Policy highlights effective integrated data system use through the illustrative example of recent efforts to restructure Los Angeles County’s General Relief Program. The article is available from the publisher at: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/cjpp.2012.4.issue-2/cjpp-2012-0005/cjpp-2012-0005.xml Citation Byrne, T., Metraux, S., Moreno, Culhane, D. P., Toros, H., & Stevens, M.
New Article Highlights IDS Use in LA County Read More »
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued a memorandum calling for expanded capacity and use of evaluation and evidence in government decision-making. The document can be found here. From the Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy ( http://www.coalition4evidence.org ): “In a potential breakthrough for evidence-based policy, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has launched a major new
OMB Announces Major Evidence-Based Initiative Read More »
The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy (http://coalition4evidence.org ) recently published an overview and demonstration of rigorous-but-low-cost program evaluations. The publication highlights the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with administrative data systems, providing a number of examples from existing studies. RCTs have long been a best practice with respect to program evaluation. The use of integrated
FCD’s policy brief asks the federal government to create a national advisory group on state longitudinal data systems. More information, in addition to the full brief, can be found on their website: http://fcd-us.org/whats-new/prek-12-state-longitudinal-data-systems
The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy (http://coalition4evidence.org/) has released a summary and correspondence with Jacob Lew, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), emphasizing the importance of considering cross-program effects in program evaluation. Referring to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and special guidance from OMB, Mr. Lew noted that agencies must score the
On March 14, 2012, IDG’s Computerworld Honors Program announced Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and Chief Executive Office Service Integration Branch (CEO-SIB) as a 2012 Laureate. The annual award program honors visionary applications of information technology promoting positive social, economic and educational change. The Computerworld Honors Program awards will be presented at the Gala
LA County Recognized as a 2012 Computerworld Honors Laureate Read More »