A National Imperative: Joining Forces to Strengthen Human Services in America (Jan 2018)

As noted previously, smaller CBOs are also likely to find it difficult to meet all of the data collection and analysis challenges to apply these metrics to their programs and services. Industry associations should also explore opportunities to provide clearinghouse and service bureau-like support to CBOs in order to meet these challenges. Finally, universities and think tanks also have a role to play. The challenges associated with defining and measuring outcomes go beyond just data collection. As noted previously, human services needs are often interconnected – a child’s behavioral issues may be connected to a parent’s addiction issues, an employment issue may be connected to a years-earlier housing issue, and so on. Rigorous, independent research will be required to identify and define desired outcomes and the packages of services, both “upstream” and “downstream,” that are most likely to yield these outcomes in a sustainable, efficient way. While CBOs are importantly affected by federal and state policy, most of the human services ecosystem is local. It is at the local - city or country - level where CBOs, government agencies, hospitals, and universities overlap. And the commitment to outcomes must be made at the local level.

 NORTH STAR #2: CAPACITY FOR INNOVATION

Our second “North Star” is a call for the human services ecosystem to develop its capacity for innovation. Faced with pressing immediate needs and tight budgets, human services CBOs and funders naturally and appropriately devote much time and attention to current service provision. The sector must also continue to evolve and improve over time. Population needs will evolve; technologies will evolve; and budget pressures will always drive the need for better, more efficient approaches to services. Put simply, yesterday’s services approaches are unlikely to be optimal solutions for tomorrow’s needs.

How can each group of human services stakeholders best contribute to accelerating the creation of capacity for innovation within the sector?

For human services CBOs, developing the capacity for innovation will require new learning, time and dollars, and will mean: • • Working to design optimal, better coordinated, and integrated services “packages”; • • Developing innovative delivery mechanisms, including remote and technology-enabled services; identifying and targeting upstream points of intervention more effectively; • • Deeper partnerships and networks; • • And implementing more robust, cost-effective approaches to administrative functions such as accounting and reporting. Realizing these goals will require “big data” analysis capabilities and investment in next-generation technology infrastructure to support capabilities such as improved data capture and sharing, more robust outcomes analysis, and automation of program cost tracking and accounting.

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