Re: Maltreatment Rate as an Outcome Indicator

[<JTabin@xxxxxxx>]

In a message dated 3/14/2000 5:28:21 PM Central Standard Time, 
Fswalter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> * A program serves mothers at risk for abuse and neglect from
>       prenatally up to 5 years.  Each year, the program runs the SSNs of
>       all mothers in the program through the state's database.  The
>       program then reports a maltreatment rate for the program by
>       dividing the number of mothers with verified cases of maltreatment
>       / the total number of mothers in the program, and compares this
>       rate with that of the county.  However, the county looks at the
>       number of maltreated children, and compares this with the total
>       number of children under 18 in the county.

Sharon and all -- I am a researcher, although not with strength in this 
particular field, and I have a couple of observations that may be helpful.  
First, you have enough challenges here to conclude that a perfect comparison 
is not going to be possible.  I think, however, that longitudinal and 
cross-sectional comparisons will help you get a sound understanding of how 
your program is performing.  I would look at your agency's performance today 
compared to past performance and compared to similar agencies.  And I would 
look at the relationship between your agency's measurement and the counties 
measurement for this time period vs. prior time periods: are your numbers 
moving in the same direction or are the agency's numbers improving while the 
environmental numbers are stable?  And so on.  (Is that enough or would a 
more detailed explanation be useful?)