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Copyright 2011 Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and Integer Research & Consulting, LLC, except as otherwise stated. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means without express written permission, except for the non-profit purposes of education and scientific advancement. For information, please contact the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems, P.O. Box 33095, Portland, OR 97292.
V.
M EMBER
O UTCOMES
S URVEY
..........................................................................................................................22 VI.
S UMMARY
........................................................................................................................................................29 VII.
M OVING
A HEAD
.............................................................................................................................................30
Key
Concerns
................................................................................................................................................................................30 Project
Strategy
............................................................................................................................................................................31
APPENDICES
............................................................................................................................................................33
Appendix
1:
References
............................................................................................................................................................34 Appendix
2:
Logic
Models
.........................................................................................................................................................37 Appendix
3:
211
LA
Developmental
Screening
Project
Fact
Sheet
........................................................................................40 Appendix
4:
AIRS
Outcomes
Survey
.........................................................................................................................................41
1 Throughout this report, I&R/A is used to designate the full spectrum of interventions that AIRS members offer the public: information, referral,
and/or assistance.
During December, 2010 and January, 2011, Integer conducted a review of literature pertinent to I&R/A outcomes and evidence- based practice. The research was pursued in several online academic databases, in Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic, and in general Internet searches using Google. Preliminary research material was compiled and loaded to a private website that was de- veloped for the project. 7
February 3, 2011 February 17, 2011 March 3, 2011 March 17, 2011 April 14, 2011
This model makes it possible to characterize I&R/A services as a family of related interventions. It en- ables I&R/A professionals to depict, analyze, and quantify their work within an extensible framework that defines the common fea- tures of, and the differences between, the various service permutations of I&R/A. 10
From New Routes to Human Services: Informa@on and Referral (p. 63), by R.W. Levinson, 2002, New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc., ISBN 0-8261-2393-7. 2002 by Springer Publishing Company, Inc. Reprinted with permission.
Crisis
Intervention2
requires
greater
professional
involvement
with
the
caller
(placing
it
farther
down
the
vertical
axis
as
a
support
serv- ice)
and
is
also
more
extensive
in
terms
of
process,
time,
and
re- sources
(thus
extending
it
farther
along
the
horizontal
axis).
Amy
Latzer
introduced
the
Care
Coordination
intervention
in
our
project
work.
Callers
with
a
particular
problem
are
guided
by
the
I&R/A
pro- fessional
to
pre-qualified
community
service
providers
suited
to
deal
with
that
problem.
The
extent
of
the
intervention
and
professional
From
New
Routes
to
Human
Services:
Information
and
Referral
(p.
63),
by
R.W.
Levinson,
2002,
New
York,
NY:
Springer
Publishing
Company,
Inc.
, involvement
are
somewhat
broader
and
deeper
than
the
Basic
I&R
ISBN
0-8261-2393-7.
2002
by
Springer
Publishing
Company,
Inc.
model. 3
The
Assistance
intervention
(I&R/A)
encompasses
the
Adapted
with
permission. broadest
set
of
intervention
transactions
and
potentially
the
greatest
professional
involvement.
It
includes
all
transactions
that
support
the
client
on
an
ongoing
basis
through
the
clients
search
for
help;
it
therefore
encompasses
services
such
as
advocacy,
assistance
with
transportation,
help
getting
an
appointment,
motivational
support,
and
case
management. The
model
shows
that
I&R,
Crisis
Intervention,
Care
Coordination,
and
Assistance
are
closely-related
members
of
the
same
family
of
professional
practice
which
demand
different
extents
of
intervention
and
professional
involvement.
These
I&R/A
interventions
may
be
characterized
and
assessed
with
a
common
outcomes
framework
that
provides
additional
definitions,
measures,
and
methods
applicable
to
specific
variations.
2
Crisis
Intervention
refers
to
assisting
callers
with
mental
health
issues. 3
The
Care
Coordination
intervention
is
described
on
the
211
LA
County
website
at
http://www.211la.org/?page_id=150
and
in
the
Fact
Sheet
for
211
LA
11
From 2-1-1 InformaZon Services: Outcomes Assessment, Benet-Cost Analysis and Policy Issues, by M.L. Saxton, C.M. Naumer, and K.E. Fisher, 2007, Government Informa@on Quarterly, 24, pp. 202-203. 2007 by Elsevier Inc. Adapted with permission.
This framework provides a means of broadly quantifying the outcomes and benefits of I&R/A for the individual, community organizations, and society at large; it invites further elaboration by I&R/A professionals. I&R/A organizations and the I&R/A profession would then have a robust and rigorous frame- work for demonstrating the help they provide to all the people and organizations they touch.
12
13
From 2-1-1 InformaZon Services: Outcomes Assessment, Benet-Cost Analysis and Policy Issues, by M.L. Saxton, C.M. Naumer, and K.E. Fisher, 2007, Government Informa@on Quarterly, 24, pp. 202-203. 2007 by Elsevier Inc.; and Measuring the Outputs of InformaZon and Advice Services: IniZal Report, by A. Nemen and J. Forder, 2008, PSSRU Discussion Paper 2543/2, pp. 17-18. Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury. Adapted with permission.
14
15
16
17
4 The Developmental Screening Project is described on the 211 LA County website: http://www.211la.org/?page_id=150
18
19
20
21
The majority of respondents (81%) indicated that they have a single service focus (blue pie slice); 19% indicated that they have multiple service focuses (green pie slice). The largest segments of respondents came from AIRS members providing I&R/A to the aging/ disabled population (40%) and to the general community (37%), with smaller segments serving special populations and multiple populations, and providing crisis intervention services. These reflect a fair cross-section of the membership.
22
The vast majority of respondents answered that it was very im- portant to create an I&R outcomes framework at the present for the purposes of the individual respondent (74%), the I&R organization (75%), and funders (76%). Smaller fractions saw it as very important to establish such a framework for the pur- poses of service providers (57%) and local government (56%). Fractions of 5 percent or less of the respondents felt that creat- ing an outcomes framework was unimportant.
SURVEY QUESTION 4:
For these audiences, how important will it be two years from now to have a framework for dening and measuring I&R outcomes?
The answers were very similar to the previous question. Across the five audiences with a possible stake in I&R outcomes, the fraction of respondents deeming an outcomes framework to bevery important increased over Question 3 from between 5% and 13%.
23
This question sought to determine the importance of establishing an outcomes framework for securing funding, for system trouble- shooting, and for demonstrating the value of I&R to the public. The majority of respondents deemed it very important to have a framework for each of these purposes. Fractions of more than 70% felt the framework was very important to secure funding from state government (78%), federal government (77%), and foundations (74%). Respondents ranging between 55% and 69% deemed it very important for the purposes of getting funding from local government and the United Way, for troubleshooting system barri- ers, and for demonstrating the value of I&R to the public.
24
The vast majority of respondents felt it to be very important to develop a framework that includes clear definitions of outcomes (87%), methods for measuring outcomes (90%), and information on best practices and improving outcomes (87%).
SURVEY
QUESTION
7:
What
is
the
best
way
of
describing
the
subject
of
"outcomes"
in
the
context
of
Informa\on
and
Referral?
Do
you
think
"outcomes"
should
stand
alone
as
a
dis\nc\ve
concept
and
word,
or
does
it
logically
fall
under
the
umbrella
of
I&R
"Quality
Assurance"?
The majority of respondents (58%) felt that I&R Outcomes was the clearest way of describing the subject in the context of I&R, with sub- stantially smaller fractions voting for I&R Quality Assurance (21%) or being uncertain (18%).
25
26
27
28
29
30
Phase 0: Idea\on Develop preliminary ideas for the Outcomes Framework. Gauge member interest in the Outcomes Framework. Review ndings and make recommendaZons to the AIRS Board. 1 2 3 4 5 Project Team generates iniZal Outcomes Framework ideas Project Team gauges member interest in Outcomes with online survey AIRS sta provides Outcomes Project Report to Board (5/25/11) Integer presents Outcomes Project Report to Board (6/4/11) Make Outcomes Project Report available to AIRS Members (July, 2011)
Phase 1: Feasibility The Feasibility Phase establishes whether developing and implemenZng an Outcomes Framework is feasible from the perspecZves of the AIRS membership and external consZtuents. If the rened Outcomes Framework is determined to be feasible and funding is available, the project proceeds to the Design Phase. Representa\ve Ac\vi\es: AIRS Board approves Feasibility Phase proposal, funding, and project plan; appoints Project Team Project Team denes key internal and external consZtuent segments Project Team conducts Focus Groups and Outreach to internal consZtuents; revises Outcomes Framework based on input Project Team conducts Focus Groups and Outreach to external consZtuents; revises Outcomes Framework based on input Project Team canvasses potenZal funders, human service organizaZons, and other parZcipants, and compiles salient informaZon Project Team presents ndings and recommendaZons to AIRS Board AIRS Board approves Design Phase proposal, funding, and project plan; adds resources as needed to Project Team
31
Phase 2: Design The Design Phase transforms the ndings from previous phases into one or more designs that incorporate key deniZons, metrics, and processes. The designs are reviewed with internal and external consZtuencies, revised as necessary, and presented to the AIRS Board. If the AIRS Board approves the designs and funding is available, the project proceeds to the Development Phase. Phase 3: Development The Development Phase produces working prototypes from the design(s) of the previous phase. Each prototype is reviewed with mulZple representaZves of each potenZal user audience. The user audience includes I&R/A organizaZons and may include stakeholders, such as funders, that are willing to parZcipate. A detailed walkthrough of each prototype is conducted, and revisions are made on the basis of user feedback. I&R/A eld test agencies are selected from each audience and prepared for tesZng. For each test site, representaZves from local funding organizaZons, service providers, and other stakeholders are idenZ- ed, contacted, and engaged in reviewing the prototypes. If the AIRS Board approves the prototypes and funding is available, the project proceeds to the Field TesZng Phase. Phase 4: Field Tes\ng The Field TesZng Phase engages I&R/A agencies in tesZng the Outcomes Framework and Methods suitable for a parZcular audience. A detailed account of each eld test is created and used to guide correcZon and renement of deniZons, metrics, and processes. Stakeholders provide detailed feedback on fac- tors that will enable or prevent successful use of the new Framework. A cost/benet model is developed to jusZfy the investment in the new methods. Based on the Field Test results, the Project Team develops an implementaZon strategy that includes phasing by audience or other member segment, training requirements, resource requirements, and other factors. If the AIRS Board approves the results of eld tesZng and the implementaZon strategy, and if funding is available, the project proceeds to the ImplementaZon Phase. Phase 5: Implementa\on The AIRS Outcomes Framework is implemented in the phases specied by the implementaZon strategy. Ongoing monitoring and quality assurance are under- taken to maximize the ease and eecZveness of the transiZon.
32
APPENDICES
33
Marin, M. (2007, May 7). Metrics for 2-1-1 centers and systems: A policy dialogue. presentation at the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems 29th Annual Training and Education Conference, Jacksonville, FL. Retrieved from www.airs.org/files/public/Metrics_for_211_Centers_and_Systems.ppt Michigan 211, Inc. (2011). Michigan 211 business plan. Lansing, MI: Author.
5 Where possible, links to articles, books, and presentations have been provided. The links were operative as of July 15, 2011, but may subsequently change.
34
Neuffer,
M.
H.
(2011).
AIRS
research
atlas.
Retrieved
from
http://integerconsult.com/airs/
Reisz,
I.,
&
Goodman,
G.
(2010).
Why
elders
do
not
follow
up
on
suggestions
they
requested:
An
exploratory
study
by
Care
for
Elders
funded
by
the
City
of
Houston,
Department
of
Health
and
Human
Services
[Report
for
City
of
Houston,
Department
of
Health
and
Human
Services].
Saxton,
M.
L.,
Naumer,
C.
M.,
&
Fisher,
K.
E.
(2007).
2-1-1
Information
services:
Outcomes
assessment,
benefit-cost
analysis
and
policy
issues.
Government
Information
Quarterly,
24,
186-215.
Purchased
at:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740624X06000463
Shank, N. C., & Rosenbaum, D. I. (2003). Examining the potential benefits of a 2-1-1 system: Quantitative and other factors. Infor- mation and Referral, 25, 1-26. Retrieved from: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/publicpolicyshank/2/ Sheppard, V. & Christopher, J. (2001). Measuring outcomes in the delivery of information and referral services: Maternal and child health example. Information and Referral, 23, 189-235. Retrieved from AIRS archives. Sim, S. C., & Rocha, K.A. (1998). A qualitative and quantitative approach in evaluating a telephone based information and referral program. Information and Referral, 20, 1-14. Retrieved from AIRS archives.
35
Windle, K., Netten, A., Caiels, J. Masrani, R., Welch, E., & Forder, J. (2010). Measuring the outcomes of information and advice services: Final report. (PSSRU Discussion Paper 2713). Retrieved from Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Can- terbury website: http://www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/dp2713.pdf Wood, C., & Fay, P. (2010, May 24). Quality not quantity: A focus on the resource database. Presentation at the Alliance of Informa- tion & Referral Systems 32nd Annual Training and Education Conference, Rochester, NY. Retrieved from AIRS archives. Woods, D., & Eyre, J. (2003). 211 for all Ontario: Bringing people and services together. Final Report July 2003. Part 2: Torontos 211 experience. [Report prepared for InformOntario, United Ways of Ontario, Community Information Toronto, and United Way of Greater Toronto]. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
36
Because of its size, the model has been divided into the three levels of outcomes as dened by Saxton and Neken. This poraon of the model shows shows the individual client seeking and receiving help. Posiave and negaave outcomes are supplied for each stage; the detail of process steps has been omiked. (A}er compleang this model, the Outcomes Commikee decided that working at a higher level of abstracaon would be more helpful, and that this degree of detail would have to be elaborated at a later ame.)
37
The second poraon of the model deals with the organizaaonal level of outcomes. To conserve space, only the posiave outcomes have been shown in this diagram.
38
The third poraon of the model deals with the societal level of outcomes very briey. To conserve space, only the posiave outcomes have been shown in this diagram.
39
40
3.
FOR
THESE
AUDIENCES,
HOW
IMPORTANT
IS
IT
TODAY
TO
CREATE
A
FRAMEWORK
FOR
DEFINING
AND
MEASURING
I&R
OUTCOMES?
(a)
You
as
an
I&R
or
I&R/A
Professional
(d)
Your
Funders
(b)
Your
OrganizaZon
(e)
Your
Local
Government (c)
Human
Service
Providers
in
Your
Community
4.
FOR
THESE
AUDIENCES,
HOW
IMPORTANT
WILL
IT
BE
TWO
YEARS
FROM
NOW
TO
HAVE
A
FRAMEWORK
FOR
DEFINING
AND
MEASURING
I&R
OUTCOMES?
(a)
You
as
an
I&R
or
I&R/A
Professional
(d)
Your
Funders
(b)
Your
OrganizaZon
(e)
Your
Local
Government (c)
Human
Service
Providers
in
Your
Community
5.
FOR
THESE
PURPOSES,
HOW
IMPORTANT
IS
IT
TO
YOUR
ORGANIZATION
TO
CREATE
A
FRAMEWORK
FOR
DEFINING
AND
MEASURING
I&R
OUTCOMES?
(a)
Gezng
funding
from
local
government
(city,
county)
(b)
Gezng
funding
from
state
government
(d)
Gezng
funding
from
United
Way
(e)
Gezng
funding
from
other
private
sources
(e.g.,
foundaZons)
(g)
DemonstraZng
the
value
of
I&R
to
the
general
public
(h)
Other
(specify) Scale:
No
Opinion
Not
Important
Somewhat
Important
Very
Important (c)
Gezng
funding
from
federal
government (f)
TroubleshooZng
service
system
barriers
and
problems
6.
HOW
HELPFUL
TO
YOUR
ORGANIZATION
WOULD
IT
BE
TO
FOR
AIRS
TO
DEVELOP
AN
OUTCOMES
FRAMEWORK
THAT
INCLUDES:
(a)
Clear
deniZons
of
what
i&R
outcomes
are
(b)
Guidelines
and
methods
for
measuring
I&R
outcomes
(c)
InformaZon
on
best
pracZces,
methods
of
improving
outcomes,
etc. Scale:
No
Opinion
Not
Important
Somewhat
Important
Very
Important
7.
WHAT
IS
THE
BEST
WAY
OF
DESCRIBING
THE
SUBJECT
OF
"OUTCOMES"
IN
THE
CONTEXT
OF
INFORMATION
AND
REFERRAL?
DO
YOU
THINK
"OUTCOMES"
SHOULD
STAND
ALONE
AS
A
DISTINCTIVE
CONCEPT
AND
WORD,
OR
DOES
IT
LOGICALLY
FALL
UNDER
THE
UMBRELLA
OF
I&R
"QUALITY
ASSURANCE"?
Scale:
No
Opinion
Not
Certain
I&R
Outcomes
I&R
Quality
Assurance
8. WHAT KINDS OF OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT TOOLS WOULD BE USEFUL TO YOUR I&R ORGANIZATION?
41
42