Date

12-2021

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Collaborative Health and Human Services

First Advisor

Thomas Rogers

Abstract

Current processes for policy development in Monterey County are primarily focused on qualitative data and anecdotes from agency personnel. The Onsite-Review component of the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) set forth by the Children’s Bureau is structured to help Monterey County identify its strengths and areas needing improvement. These quarterly reviews ensure that Monterey County adheres to federal child welfare guidelines, helps to develop a narrative of what children and families experience while engaging with the county’s child welfare services, and enhances capacities for positive outcomes for these individuals. A Data Dashboard was developed to visually represent quantitative data in an adequate and accessible format, as part of the County’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) plan. Data utilized for this project were gathered from several sources at the federal, state, and county-levels. The Data Dashboard synthesized these complex data sheets into a central user-friendly site that utilized charts, graphs, and narratives to explain the importance of the data to attempt to inform administration on how to address the specific needs of child welfare services in Monterey County. Recommendations following the official implementation of this project are for staff at all levels to review the Dashboard to understand the importance of the data being presented to include practical applications for day-to-day operations within the agency. Data utilized for the Dashboard ought to be updated quarterly at a minimum in order to accurately represent how sustainable changes made are.

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