How the Agency Measures Its Performance
In the Accountability Report and the Annual Restructuring Report, the agency was asked to provide information about how it measures its own performance. Performance measures are used to gauge whether or not the objective is being accomplished efficiently and the intended results are being achieved. There are four types of Performance Measures: (1) outcome measures, (2) efficiency measures, (3) output measures and (4) input or explanatory measures.
Agencies should focus on efficiency and outcome measures. Efficiency measures measure the amount of resources required to produce a single unit of output. Outcome measures measure what occurs as a result of the outputs (i.e. what happens when someone uses the output.). Focusing on these types of measures allow the agency to determine what changes can be made to continually improve tangible outcomes and do so at lower costs and faster speeds.
Below is the list of performance measures provided by the agency with the type of measure each one is considered by the agency. The Committee may or may not agree each measure is the type indicated by the agency but will examine them and work with the agency when the agency is under study. After the list of performance measures are additional details, including the targets and results, for each performance measure. This information was provided by the agency in its Annual Restructuring Report, Program Evaluation, Request for Information, or Accountability Report.
Click on any of the links below to go to the applicable part of this webpage:
Summary
Provide Input
Performance Documents
Performance Details
Summary (Click on a measure below to see additional details)
The type of measure indicated (e.g. input, output, effiency, etc.) was provided by the agency. The Committee may or may not agree that each measure is the type indicated by the agency.
Input/Activity
None
Output
None
Efficiency
Outcome
Under Development - In its 2016 Restructuring Report, submitted January 12, 2016, the agency indicated it is currently developing performance measures that will address the following:
Agency's internal and external communication efforts
Completion and implementation of the new child support system
Timely hiring of staff, employee retention efforts, turnover, and more
Training of staff across all divisions, tracking their certifications, and more
Audits the agency performs, as well as the activities of the agency's Inspector General, and more
Measures that track caseload sizes and staffing ratios
Measures that track customer service training as well as customer service-focused surveys of employees, clients, and stakeholders
Measures that track the delivery and effectiveness of employee training related to this objective, and more
Effectiveness of the agency's CQI protocols and the effectiveness of the agency's communication with stakeholders
Metrics concerning the number of foster home, the length of time it takes to become licensed, retention efforts for foster homes, and more
Timely and accurate disbursement of benefits in various programs (TANF, SNAP, Child Care Vouchers, etc.) as well as access to employment programs
Timely disbursement of child support payment, the proper disbursement of clothing allowances and board payments for foster parents, and more
Timely establishment of child support enforcement orders and more
Regularly evaluating the volume of calls received by the intake hubs and more
Measures examining Community Based Prevention Services and other services provided to families
Quality of services provided to youth in foster care as they transition to living independently
Access children have to special services they need, the quality and availability of services for vulnerable adults (as well as casework practice), and more
Reunification and adoption timelines, measures on the quality of services provided through case-level reviews, measures addressing the quality of placement decisions, and more
Measure Signs of Safety penetration
Provide Input
Do you think the agency is using the right performance measures or are there others you would like to see the agency use? Submit your input
here.
Performance Documents
Performance Details
Timeliness of initiating investigations
Type of Measure: Efficiency
Required by: State
Applicable Objectives: A2
Results
2013-14 Actual Results: 93.30%
2014-15 Target Results: 100%
2014-15 Actual Results: 90.60%
2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: Under development
2015-16 Target Results: 100%
Details
Why was this performance measure chosen? To ensure that investigations are initiated timely.
What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? The target is in state law.
Repeat maltreatment
Type of Measure: Outcome
Required by: Federal
Applicable Objectives: A3, A4
Results
2013-14 Actual Results: 2.80%
2014-15 Target Results: 5.40%
2014-15 Actual Results: 2.50%
2015-16 Minimum Acceptable Results: Under development
2015-16 Target Results: Under development
Details
Why was this performance measure chosen? Because it is the fundamental measurement used to determine the effectiveness of a child welfare system.
What was considered when determining the level to set the target value in 2015-16 and why was the decision finally made on setting it at the level at which it was set? This will be published at a later date by the Federal Administration for Children and Families.
Performance Measures Explained
There are four types of Performance Measures: (1) outcome measures, (2) efficiency measures, (3) output measures and (4) input or explanatory measures.
Outcome Measure - A quantifiable indicator of the public and customer benefits from an agency's actions. Outcome measures are used to assess an agency's effectiveness in serving its key customers and in achieving its mission, goals and objectives. They are also used to direct resources to strategies with the greatest effect on the most valued outcomes. Outcome measures should be the first priority. Example - % of licensees with no violations.
Efficiency Measure - A quantifiable indicator of productivity expressed in unit costs, units of time, or other ratio-based units. Efficiency measures are used to assess the cost-efficiency, productivity, and timeliness of agency operations. Efficiency measures measure the efficient use of available resources and should be the second priority. Example - cost per inspection
Output Measure - A quantifiable indicator of the number of goods or services an agency produces. Output measures are used to assess workload and the agency's efforts to address demands. Output measures measure workload and efforts and should be the third priority. Example - # of business license applications processed.
Input/Explanatory/Activity Measure - Resources that contribute to the production and delivery of a service. Inputs are "what we use to do the work." They measure the factors or requests received that explain performance (i.e. explanatory). These measures should be the last priority. Example - # of license applications received
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