Lessons Learned from System Reform Efforts

The following resources offer strategies for successfully implementing reform initiatives based on lessons learned from system reform efforts.

Addressing Racial Disproportionality in Child Welfare
Series Title Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
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Year Published 2011
Explores efforts to address racial disproportionality in child welfare by focusing on changes in policy and practice at specific decision points in the child welfare process—prevention, reporting, investigation, service provision, out-of-home care, and permanency—as well as policies and practices that can be implemented across several or all of these decision points. The issue brief is designed to help administrators, program managers, and policymakers explore solutions to racial disproportionality in their own child welfare systems. Specific examples of State and local projects that address disproportionality are highlighted throughout.

For the Welfare of Children: Lessons Learned From Class Action Litigation (PDF - 723 KB)
Meltzer, Joseph, & Shookhoff, (Eds.)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2012)
Presents a series of papers evaluating the use of class action litigation to reform public child welfare systems. Sections include lessons learned that encompass all stages of the litigation process.

Implementing Evidence-Based Practices: Six "Drivers" of Success (PDF - 178 KB)
Metz, Blase, & Bowie
Child Trends Research-to-Results Brief, 2007
Defines implementation, highlights why effective implementation of evidence-based practices is critical to achieving outcomes, and outlines six components that support successful program implementation.

Lessons Learned in Systems Change Initiatives: Benchmarks and Indicators
Kreger, Brindis, Manuel, & Sassoubre
American Journal of Community Psychology, 39(3/4), 2007
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Discusses strategies for measuring the progress of systems change by drawing on analytic frameworks and lessons learned from six systems change initiatives.

Planning and Implementing Change
Lonne, Parton, Thomson, & Harries (2008)
In Reforming Child Protection
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Provides an overview of attempts at reform and change management in child protection systems, outlines principles and themes for guiding change processes, and proposes effective reforms at social and organizational levels.