Implementation
There are a number of proven ways to promote the healthy development of young children. This gives policymakers some latitude in choosing among program approaches to address specific objectives. The key is to select strategies that have documented effectiveness, assure that they are implemented well, and recognize the critical importance of a strong commitment to continuous program improvement.
Four key lessons learned [i] from past efforts to implement early childhood policies are:
·
Match supports and services to the needs and strengths
of the children and families to be served. Be clear about the goals, purpose and target audience. Support clear program standards, with sufficient resources to achieve them.
·
Pay careful attention to the quality of implementation
when effective model programs are taken to scale. Provide sufficient investment to ensure expected results and support implementation over time to ensure effective implementation and monitoring processes.
·
Support ongoing evaluation
and continuous program improvement.
·
Establish clear lines of authority
and shared responsibilities for results.
Questions to Ask
Service delivery.
Where, how, and by whom will services be delivered? Is there sufficient capacity in the intended target communities to deliver them?
Governance.
Who is involved (state and local)? What entity will administer the program or funding stream, and how will funding decisions be made? (grants, formula, etc.)
Standards.
What are the required standards for practices, programs, and practitioners? Is funding sufficient to achieve them in a reasonable timeframe?
Communications.
Is there a communications infrastructure in place between the administering agency and the funding recipients to support implementation, best practices, and accountability? How will information and results be shared with stakeholders, including families, practitioners, and the public?
Research and Development.
Are there sufficient resources to evaluate implementation and outcomes? What are the key questions that evaluation efforts should try to address?
Monitoring.
By what measures will the state monitor quality, ensure fiscal accountability, and track performance based on standards? Are current data systems and analytic capacity sufficient to measure and report outcomes?
[i]
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2007). A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy:Using Evidence to Improve Outcomes in Learning, Behavior, and Health for Vulnerable Children. Web site: http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu