How Policymakers Can Focus on Results

Consider a quotation from General George S. Patton who famously said "Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results." A recent blog post from the Results Leadership Group highlights this key element of Mark Friedman's Results Based Accountability, that it "is about starting with Ends and working backwards to a Means". As noted previously, PolicyforResults.org is designed to help policymakers, and those who work with them, achieve long-term results for their state by using those results to guide policy, budget and program decisions especially during tight fiscal times.

How State Policymakers Can Use the Education Stimulus Funding to Support Long Term Goals

The New America Foundation's Education Policy Program released an issue brief, "Building a Solid Foundation: How States and School Districts Can Use Federal Stimulus Funds to Support Proficiency by Third Grade" which recommends that states use the stimulus funds

not only to maintain educational services and jobs during the current economic
downturn but also to institute lasting reforms that will yield ongoing gains in
student learning and help fuel America's long-term economic growth. [The report]
shows one of the most important ways that states and districts can do this is by
investing stimulus funds in PreK-3rd reforms to ensure that all students
establish a solid foundation of math, literacy, and social/emotional skills by
the end of third grade.

For policies and stimulus funding guidance to improve early academic success.

New Report on the How the Economic Crisis will Impact the Well-being of the Nation's Children

The Foundation for Child Development has issued their annual report on the Child Well-being Index. The findings include

that the downturn will virtually undo all progress made in children's economic well-being since 1975. The significant decrease in this domain will also drag down the other domains of the CWI [social relationships, health, community connectedness and safety/behavior]. The impact will be especially severe for low-income children of color.

For policies to improve family economic success and child outcomes.

Foreclosures Rise With Unemployment, What State Policymakers Can Do

The New York Times reported in "Job Losses Push Safer Mortgages to Foreclosure" that

in the latest phase of the nation’s real estate disaster, the locus of trouble
has shifted from subprime loans — those extended to home buyers with troubled
credit — to the far more numerous prime loans issued to those with decent
financial histories. With many economists anticipating that the unemployment
rate will rise into the double digits from its current 8.9 percent, foreclosures
are expected to accelerate. That could exacerbate bank losses, adding pressure
to the financial system and the broader economy.

For policies to reduce foreclosures.

New Juvenile Justice Bill Tracking Database

Another new resource from the National Conference of State Legislatures, a database to track legislation on juvenile justice from around the country. The topics range from administration to detention to mental health. For policies to reduce juvenile detention.

New Report on Racial Disparities in Juvenile Justice

The National Conference of State Legislatures has recently issued a report on the history of racial disproportionality in the juvenile justice system. Included in the report are examples of approaches and strategies employed by states and local jurisdictions to address this problem. For policies to reduce racial disparities and disproportionality.

Stimulus Food Stamp Increases Boost State Economies

Stateline.org reports that the stimulus food stamps are starting to be felt in state economies, with 32.5 million people receiving their first bonus in April.

“People who receive these benefits are hard-pressed and will spend any financial aid they receive very quickly,” said Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi. Every $1 spent on the food assistance program adds $1.73 to local economies because an uptick in food sales creates related jobs and further consumer spending.

For policies to increase food stamp participation.

The Link Between Health and School Readiness

The Colorado Trust, the Build Initiative and the Child and Family Policy Center have issued a research brief that

describes research and practice that speaks to a much broader role for the health system in improving children’s healthy development and school readiness, and how policies can help ensure that young children receive preventive and developmental health care; establish links between child health, early learning, early intervention and family support systems; and improve the environments in which children live.

For policies to support the health of young children and improve school readiness.

A Guide for States to Maximize Enrollment for Uninsured Children

The National Academy for State Health Policy has issued a new brief that

reviews literature and expert opinions to elaborate on seven strategies states can implement to maximize enrollment for uninsured children eligible for public coverage. From simplifying the enrollment process to implementing the latest technology and urging political leaders to make enrollment a priority, the report lays out key steps that states may consider when tackling the difficult issues of making sure the pathways for enrollment and renewal for all eligible children are as efficient as possible. The seven strategies states can pursue are:

• Keeping enrollment and renewal procedures simple
• Reaching out through community-based organizations and institutions
• Using technology to coordinate programs and reduce administrative burdens
• Changing agency culture to promote enrollment
• Engaging leaders to champion the goal of enrolling children
• Engaging partners to help reach enrollment goals
• Using marketing to promote enrollment in public programs

For policies to maximize medicaid and SCHIP

Mini Grants for Communities to Apply for Stimulus Funding to Support Early Learning and Schools

Ready Kids, Ready Schools 2009 has announced planning grants to support community applications for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These are mini-grants up to $10,000, and the deadline is Friday, May 29, 2009. The purpose is to

prepare an application for an ARRA federal grant that would advance linking the early learning and public school systems to help vulnerable children 0-8 years.

For more information on policies to support early academic success.