Policy and Practice June 2017

Evidence-Based Practice Per fect Practice can make How

By Kathy Fallon

T

he Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking was born from a joint bill sponsored by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). When the bill was signed into law by then President Barack Obama on March 30, 2016, the federal government gave additional momentum to a movement that had been growing for some time. At its core, the movement seeks to increase the effectiveness of government services, and the resulting outcomes, while at the same time lowering the cost of delivering them. The goal is to end the practice of spending vast sums of money on unproven practices that may not be achieving the desired results. In January, President Donald

Trump took office, and while many existing agenda items may be in question, the focus on Evidence-Based Policy (EBP) is not losing ground with the new administration. While there is much debate on policy and programs, there is consensus around the idea that achieving better outcomes as efficiently as possible is imperative for good government.

Photo Illustration by Chris Campbell