Vol. 9, No. 4
July 2004

The Power of Data

Outcome and evaluative data affect our practice with families indirectly by influencing the opinion of lawmakers, the media, and the general public. Two recent influential, data-based publications are:

• GAO Report on the Federal Reviews (April 2004). This report, entitled Child and Family Services Reviews: Better Use of Data and Improved Guidance Could Enhance HHS's Oversight of State Performance, inspired articles in newspapers across the country about widespread problems in our national child welfare system. Summary: <www.gao.gov/highlights/d04333high.pdf>. Full report: <www.gao.gov/new.items/d04333.pdf>.
  
  
• Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports. These analyze States’ efforts to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. <www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/publications/cwo.htm>

If you find these publications useful, you may also wish to refer to the annotated list of national and North Carolina-specific data sources that accompanies this issue of Practice Notes.