Reduce Juvenile Detention

Accountability

Oversight, by both the legislature and the executive branch, is important for understanding why some policies fail to be implemented effectively and efficiently and the options available to make corrections and revisions. The ultimate purpose of these inquiries is to measure both results and performance.

Population results accountability. Requires reviewing the current status of the indicator, examining the baseline against the current trend and assessing the selected strategy for impact on the indicator.[i]

Performance accountability. Requires determining whether the right programs or strategies are being used, whether the programs are being implemented correctly, how many children or families have been served, and whether the participants have benefited.

What You Need to Know

• Preventing errors. Oversight of implementation helps to avoid ambiguity and costly mistakes.

• Auditing performance. Routine examinations of agency management and organization, program delivery, goals and objectives, statutory mandate, and fiscal accountability are effective in measuring performance.

• Comparing and contrasting. It can be useful to compare current performance to past performance, as well as against that of others and to external standards.

• Reporting outcomes. Using a “turn the curve” format for oversight and monitoring can help determine if the results that were set out to be achieved for children and families were attained. The format can also structure the presentation of information and align reporting on performance with results.