| |
Indicators are the
measurable benchmarks that contribute to a valid and objective
understanding . Indicators are used commonly in many disciplines. For
example, everyone knows that a low unemployment rate is a good indicator
of a sound economy. We also all know that a body temperature above 98.6F
is a good indicator of illness.
Applying this measurability to our creating
healthier communities
goals is less well established. Often the indicators are unique to
each community, driven by the unique assets and challenges each
community encounters over time.
Our organization developed the Healthy Indicators Project to add a
measurability factor to our improvement work. This is how we'll know
when we are a "healthier Carroll County"!
So, what is the Healthy Indicators Project? It is our three step plan
to:
| |
1. |
identify
the issues most important to our community |
|
| |
2. |
match the
issues with valid indicators |
|
| |
3. |
monitor
the progress of the initiatives to impact the
selected indicators |
|
Beginning in November
2001, interviews were conducted one-on-one with 60 leaders in individual
Carroll County communities. Outcomes measurement training was provided
to 45 people from government and non-profit agencies. And, identify who
"we" is. We conducted community dialogues and surveys with over
150 participants. This information is summarized in our
2003 HI Project Report.
In May of 2002 we
formed an “H.I. Team” was
formed with leaders from multiple business and civic groups. They
got right to work and developed an indicator criteria definition.
|
Indicator Criteria - |
|
|
To serve its purpose in accurately representing a
value or concern of the community, and in promoting
and measuring the effectiveness of a Partnership
initiative, an indicator must meet certain core
criteria. An indicator must:
| |
• |
Be valid, based on fact, have understandable
rationale |
| |
• |
Be readily measured, accessible, affordable |
| |
• |
Provide baseline data and be capable of showing
change over time |
| |
• |
Be consistent and reliable; its information
source must be independent and likely to produce
high quality data over a number of years for
measurement of long-term results |
| |
• |
Focus on results from work being done, not
simply activity or resources expended |
| |
• |
Be clear about what represents “getting better”
vs. “getting worse” |
| |
• |
Be understood by, and believable to, the whole
community |
The following criteria enhance the usefulness of an
indicator. Although no indicator is likely to
satisfy all of these additional criteria, an ideal
indicator will also:
| |
• |
Lead – i.e., warn of changes in advance of
problems or progress |
| |
• |
Link to other indicators in a clear way; reveal
systemic relationships |
| |
• |
Be comparable to similar indicators from other
communities |
| |
• |
Speak to the full range of citizens in the
community |
| |
• |
Be compelling, interesting, exciting;
communicate information that resonates with
intended audiences |
| |
• |
Lend itself to action, creativity, marketing |
| |
• |
Be able to attract the attention of the media |
|
|
|
They also
started research to identify valid indicators for newly identified
issues and for our original core health improvement areas.
By February of 2003, with data updated on key issues, the team was ready
for the strategic planning retreat. The HI information was largely
anecdotal and therefore of major importance. Designing a community
health improvement strategic plan with outcome measurements was desired
by all. FY ’04 budget planning and associate performance reviews
each incorporate this style.
What is the impact of the H.I. Project so far? Our own
organization is better aligned for results. Major key partners
have embraced the Healthy Indicator model and agreed to utilize changes
in the Indicators as one measurement of their own agency effectiveness.
Use of the language associated with outcomes measurement is more wide
spread…evidence of a cultural shift. FY’04 county funding contracts have
been re-written to require demonstrated progress towards indicator
results in applicable domains such as: public safety, education,
economic development, housing and recreation/open spaces.
What are our next steps? An indicators based
Community Strengths and Needs Assessment will be conducted in FY
2004.
In partnership with the LMB and other local agencies, this
assessment will have broad use and appeal in many areas, building a
sense of community as we go.
Our own efforts and those of our community partners will try to focus on
root causes and we will continually re-evaluate to assure the right
issues and, the right indicators are identified, and build consensus
among our partners.
Today, we see the Healthy Indicators approach as a slightly less
threatening and more objective way of mobilizing for change. We
know that upstream funding decisions are sometimes at odds with
community based efforts but we also realize that energy is often born
from chaos.
Paramount as always is our understanding that relationships are
essential and must continue to be respectful.
| |
As Mahatma Gandhi wisely
said: "You must be the change you seek in this
world." |
|
|
