RECOMMENDATION 11: Support analysis of priority populations in order to direct prevention-service expansion and economic-support distribution. We suggest that this data analysis — to the extent possible — be completed in relationship to the systems map, identifying the population size of the family experiences and needs that are mapped and comparing them to corresponding supports. This analysis can be shared both with the prevention advisory team and the steering committee to inform their design choices and priorities. The recently created Prevention Dashboards offer valuable insight on what data analysis is helpful in selecting priority populations. This analysis will especially be important in regard to distributing concrete support and developing mechanisms to meet material needs. Our interviews, systems mapping, and evidence from the literature review find that unmet financial needs contribute to family instability and deeper systems involvement. Data analysis is the next step in determining with greater specificity who will benefit most from economic support and how to create access points for those families. This data can then be used for subsequent return-on-investment analysis, if concrete supports offered are indeed successful in preventing subsequent child welfare and/or juvenile systems involvement. RECOMMENDATION 12: Pursue a shared learning agenda with intergovernmental and provider agency partners, focused first on data sharing, fiscal maximization, and service referrals. Our prior 11 recommendations suggest design choices, governance structures, fiscal pipelines, and data analysis that are largely within DCYF’s own purview. As an agency with early childhood, child welfare, and juvenile rehabilitation mandates in one cabinet-level organization, a great deal of prevention systems transformation can be accomplished within DCYF’s own scope of authority. Still, a comprehensive, seamless prevention continuum for Washington’s residents will require working beyond the organizational boundaries of DCYF. For example, outside agencies administer key prevention programs including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF and Medicaid, support services that can be of great benefit to families at risk of involvement with child welfare services. Many families involved with DCYF also interact with other agencies to address issues such as substance-use disorder, domestic violence exposure, or mental health challenges. Early access to these supports can help families achieve stability and avoid deeper child welfare involvement. It’s important to note that housing and employment are especially critical to family well-being; as such, prevention efforts must include strategies to ensure stable housing and income — resources that often lie outside DCYF’s direct scope but are essential to its mission.
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