NCCD Now: Making Change, Looking Forward

November 10, 2015 | NCCD

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Every day at NCCD we all come to work with the same hopes, dreams, and goals that you do. What we value—social justice, research, collaboration, innovation, and integrity—guides our approach. What also guides us is gratitude for the many partnerships we are fortunate to be part of. We’re continually inspired and motivated by the work and support of so many people and organizations.

Every day at NCCD we all come to work with the same hopes, dreams, and goals that you do. What we value—social justice, research, collaboration, innovation, and integrity—guides our approach. What also guides us is gratitude for the many partnerships we are fortunate to be part of. We’re continually inspired and motivated by the work and support of so many people and organizations.

As we look back at 2015 and ahead to 2016, we want to acknowledge those working in the fields we work in, in whatever capacity. The problems we work on can seem so large, and the stakes so high. Every one of us has an important part to play in working toward our mission of just and equitable service systems. So, to those who are serving children and families on the front lines of the child welfare system—thank you. To those who are vocal activists for justice reform—thank you. To those who use research and data to make sound and equitable policies—thank you. To those who support sustainable positive change through giving and grantmaking, thank you. There are so many people and organizations doing this work that it’s impossible to acknowledge everyone. We are grateful for you all.

As 2015 draws to a close, we’re excited to share with you several new and exciting projects that we’ll be embarking on in 2016. The coming year promises to be full of new opportunities to continue working alongside you to improve outcomes for vulnerable people and communities.

This month on the blog we’ll be taking a look at some of our key areas of focus in 2015, and announcing several exciting new projects and events. Our blog highlights are listed here!

Better Decision Making
Day One in Child Welfare by Raelene Freitag, PhD, Director of Social Service Practice
Making Better Decisions in Criminal Justice by Erin Manske, Researcher
I Need Help Making Decisions. So Do You. by Jesse Russell, PhD, Chief Program Officer
Is it Time? The Decision to Return a Child Home by Julie Davis, Senior Program Specialist

Using Analytics to Improve Outcomes
Analytics: It’s More Than the Numbers by Erin Wicke Dankert, Researcher
Webinars: Predictive Analytics in Child Protection by NCCD
You Can’t Treasure What You Can’t Measure by Avik Das, Esq., Deputy Director, Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department
The Real Narrator in the Lucas County Story: Data by Rachael Gardner, Lucas County (OH) Juvenile Court

Equity and Fairness
Structured Decision Making® Through a Racial Equity Lens by Angela Fitzgerald, Researcher
Making Decisions in Child Protection by Dr. Raelene Freitag, PhD, Director of Social Service Practice
The Consequences of Mistakes in Human Services Decision Making by Kristen Johnson, PhD, Senior Researcher
Are You an Ethics Champion? Five Questions to Ask Before Employing Predictive Analytics in Practice by Jesse Russell, PhD, Chief Program Officer

Tools and Publications
Rhetoric and Reality in Criminal Justice Reform: Three Graphs by Jesse Russell, PhD, Chief Program Officer

Media and Commentary
Video: What Is Elder Abuse? by Shanna Dean and Debra Greene
KQED Examines Richmond, CA, Violence Reduction Efforts (“Forum” Audio and Article) by Rebecca Bowe, KQED News
The Good and the Bad in Loretta Lynch’s Milestone by Aishatu Yusuf, Program Associate
Media for a Just Society Awards: Acceptance Videos and 2016 Call for Entries by NCCD

Innovation in Social Services
Congress and Social Impact Bonds: Opportunity Awaits by Congressman John Delaney
Pay for Success: A New Way to Solve Communities’ Most Costly Problems by Jennifer Stoff and Oyinade Koyi, Social Innovation Fund
Process Evaluation for the Office of Neighborhood Safety by Angie M. Wolf, Caroline Glesmann, Angie Del Prado Lippman, and Estivaliz Castro
Kansas Piloting Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) With SDM® Model in Juvenile Justice by Randy Bowman, Director of Community Based Services, KDOC-Juvenile Services
Video Blog: SDM and Child Welfare Innovation in Florida by NCCD