Planning, investment and evaluation procedures to support coordination and outcomes based funding in a local United Way system

Abstract

This article describes the characteristics of a planning, investment and evaluation model that could be implemented in local human services delivery systems oriented toward achievement of specific results. In aggregate, community agencies that provide human services related to specific social problems constitute potential systems designed to achieve important social goals. For the purposes of this article, a human services delivery system at the local level is defined as an administrative organization or unit and affiliated human services agencies. Methods for accomplishing planning, investment and evaluation tasks at the system level as illustrated by the practices of a local United Way and the concept of outcomes based funding are defined. The implications of this approach for coordinating human services delivery at the local level are discussed.