Policy Development

Indicators of Policy Development 

Evaluating community policy development focuses on gathering evidence for two outcome indicators areas. In the first area, preparing citizens for policy development, collaborations assess outcomes related to citizens ability to develop and influence policies. In the second area, changes in policies, collaborations evaluate changes in policies supporting children, youth and families in the community. 

Indicator Area 1:  1.  Promote the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of citizens to develop policies for children, youth, and families. 

Objective:  To increase citizens awareness, knowledge and skills about developing public and private policies affecting children, youth, and family well-being. 

Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes and Skills 

1.  Indicator: Community educational programs on policy issues related to children, youth, and families. 

Measure: Count number of educational programs such as seminars, conferences, training workshops, roundtable discussions, study groups, and locals meetings.. 

NOTE: A one-time event, like a conference, is less effective in influencing policy than a series of sequenced educational experiences for the targeted participants. 

2.  Indicator: Number of citizens participating in policy education programs. 

Measure: Count number of individuals attending educational programs. 

3.  Indicator:  Increased knowledge, skills and attitudes gained from participation in educational events. 

Measure:  End-of-meeting questionnaire completed by participants. Three-to-six month follow-up questionnaire completed by a sample of participants. 

(Link to possible resources for writing surveys and questionnaires -- Bill Trochim.) 

4.  Indicator: Materials developed and distributed to inform community members on public policy issues relating to children, youth, and families. For example, booklets, leaflets, curricula, conference proceedings, and video documentaries produced. 

Measure: Count number of individual publications developed and/or number of publications distributed to community members and decision makers.  Identify topics addressed. 

5.  Indicator: Media campaigns conducted to inform community members on public policy issues relating to children, youth, and families. 

Measure: Count number of news conferences and identify types of participants. Count number of news releases distributed. Use readership and listenership estimates to estimate number of individuals reached. 

Increased Citizen Involvement in Policy Development 

6.  Indicator: Voter participation in local, state and national ballot issues. 

Measure: Count the number of voters participating in ballot issues related to children, youth, and families. Compare to previous elections, if available. 

7.  Indicator: Involvement of community members in collection of local data to influence public and private policy relating to children, youth, and families. 

Measure: Identify citizens in printed materials such as group minutes and local newspapers. Survey or interview community members regarding their involvement. 

8.  Indicator:  Participation in public hearings or other meetings on policy issues. 

Measure: Count attendance at meetings. Identify presentations by citizens at meetings. 

9.  Indicator:  Convene a public forum on community policy issues related to children, youth and families. 

Measure:  Number of forums held. Assemble documents associated with the public forum into a portfolio. Number of newspaper and other press coverage about the forum. 

10. Indicator:  Participation in the public policy process at the community level. For example, serve on appointed boards or committee, or be a candidate for an elected position. 

11. Indicator: Community members give testimony to local, state or national legislatures. 

Measure:  Count the number of times community members speak before legislative groups. 
 
Indicator Area 2:  Changes in policies supporting children, youth, and 
families in the community 

Objective: To design and implement policies at the community level that 
promote the well-being of children, youth and families. 

1.  Indicator: An identified policy problem or concern is defined. 

Measure: Evidence of policy deliberation from content analysis of meeting minutes and newspaper reports. Number of individuals or groups with similar concerns. Number of individuals or groups with dissimilar concerns. Conducted community assessment. 

2.  Indicator: A plan developed to address the identified policy issue. 

Measure: Document plan. It includes objectives, activities, identification of responsibility for tasks, timelines, and evaluation strategies. 

3.  Indicator:  Contacts with decision makers (legislators, city/county officials, local "power brokers", etc.) about the identified policy issue. 

Measure: Count the number of visits with decision makers (legislators, city/count officials, power brokers, etc.) 

4.  Indicator: Policy proposals developed for the identified issue and placed on local referendums, state ballots, etc. 

Measure: Review and count new policy proposals at the local or state level. 

5.  Indicator: Printed materials developed and distributed to inform community members on public policy issues relating to children, youth, and families. 

Measure: Count number of publications about the policy issue developed and/or distributed to community members and decision makers.  List topics addressed. 

6.  Indicator: Media campaigns conducted to inform about public and private policy issues relating to children, youth, and families. 

Measure: Count number of news conferences and identify types of  participants.  Count number of news releases distributed. 

7.  Indicator: Changes in community policies that increase program support for children, youth and families. For example, increased support for parent education, youth development, prevention programming, and ecological programming. 

Measure: Analyze program documents and budgets. New funding to support programs. 

8. Indicator: Changes in private and public policy that reflect positive support for children, youth and families. 

Measure: Document analysis of policies of agencies, organizations and employers. Document analysis of local government policies (i.e. regulations such as curfews, city ordinances, etc.) that are expanded or redesigned to become more family friendly. Document analysis of current family policies (i.e. state laws, employee benefits, etc.) that are expanded or redesigned to become more family friendly. 

Other Tools		For More Information	Annotated Bibliography	Internet Links
| Policy Development |
| Program Outcomes for Communities |
| NOWG Home |