A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Explanation of Community Report Card

Purpose:

• To document the status of children and families in a community. Repeated compiling of the report card shows change in status over time. 

This form:

• Charts the status of children and families during the planning stage to let partners know where they are starting from and to identify outcome areas that are both positive and in need of attention. Answers the question, "Where are we now?"

• Lets a partnership know whether targeted outcomes are improving. Answers the question, "How are we doing in improving results for children and families?"

• Allows a partnership to compare results in specific outcome areas to see if targeted outcomes are improving, whether some outcomes seem to be connected (go up together, stay flat together), and whether a change in direction is needed to target different outcome areas. Answers the question, "Where are we having an impact; where aren't we?"

Who develops the report card?

• Who identifies indicators to include in the report card? All major partners and representatives of the community should reach consensus on indicators of child and family status that will demonstrate the impacts of the comprehensive strategy.

• Who compiles indicators? A designated person (inside the partnership or hired for this specific purpose) who is familiar with community data sources should explore the kinds of data readily available and be responsible for compiling the report card.

Who reflects on results?

• The entire partnership and community members.

• How often should a report card be compiled?

• Perhaps every two years. Note, however, that new data will not be available for some indicators (e.g., from the U.S. Census) that often. Investing effort in tracking community-level indicators more often than every two years may not be warranted and may create unreasonable expectations for quick change, since these indicators do not change quickly.  

Refer to Chapter 2 in the Guide Book

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[Sample of Log of Resources Obtained] [Explanation of Changes in Outcomes]