User:Jmiklas/Results Based Accountability

Results Based Accountability (RBA) is The Results Based Accountabilty framework is a disciplined way of thinking and taking action that communities can use to improve the lives of children, families and the community as a whole. RBA can also be used by agencies to improve the performance of their programs. RBA can be adapted to fit the unique needs and circumstances of different communities and programs.

How RBA Works
RBA gets users and thier partners from talk to action quickly. It uses plain language and common sense methods that everyone can understand. The process RBA starts with ends and works backward, step by step, towards means. For communities, the ends are conditions of well-being for children, families and the community as a whole.

Examples: or more specifically:
 * "Residents with good jobs"
 * "Children ready for school"
 * "A safe and clean neighborhood"
 * “Public spaces without graffiti”
 * "A place where neighbors know each other"

For programs, the ends are how customers are better off when the program works the way it should. Example:
 * "Percentage of people in the job training program get and keep good paying jobs."

RBA is an inclusive process where diversity is an asset - everyone in the community can contribute.

RBA Language
RBA asks groups to agree on what words they will use to describe a few basic ideas:

Results (or outcomes): What conditions do we want for children, families and the community as a whole?

Indicators: How could we measure these conditions?

Baselines: What does the data show about where we’ve been and where we’re headed?'''

What works (or strategies): What works to improve these conditions?

Turning the curve: What does success look like if we change the direction of the baseline for the better.

Performancemeasures:How do we know if programs are working?


 * RBA uses three common sense performance measures:
 * How much did we do?
 * How well did we do
 * Is anyone better off?

Where has RBA worked?
RBA is being used, in whole or in part, in over 40 states and at least 8 countries. There is a growing network of people with success stories to tell. To name a few: Vermont state and local partners have turned the curve on a wide range of measures including child abuse rates,high school dropout rates and the rate of delinquents in custody. Santa Cruz County California has turned the curve on teen alcohol and drug use and other measures. Maryland, California, and other states and counties are turning the curve on measures of children ready for school. Georgia’s Family Connections Collaboratives have turned the curve on immunization rates, school attendance and many other measures. And, state and local governments, school districts, and non-profits in Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota and many other places have used RBA to improve the performance of their programs and services. Even where people don’t call it RBA, this kind of thinking process has helped turn the curve on drunk driving, juvenile crime, traffic safety, and clean air and water.