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Guiding Principle 3: Enhancing the Structure of our System using Data with Continuous Quality Improvement

Our Child Welfare transformation is built on data-informed practice and is supported by continuous quality improvement and modernized information technology systems and tools.


This means strategies have:

  • A holistic continuous quality improvement (CQI) system, based on implementing evidence-based best practices to evaluate and improve child and family outcomes, as well as the ongoing delivery of services and supports.
  • Clear, uniform metrics that align with the Vision for Transformation, measure progress toward key goals and outcomes and provide metrics that are relevant to our children, families, partners and Oregon Tribal Nations.
  • Timely, accurate, useful and easy-to-understand data to highlight progress, identify and close gaps and drive education, policies and strategies for change.
  • Managers to champion the use of data to ensure staff and partners understand its value, have access to it and use it effectively in decision-making and their day-to-day work.
  • User-friendly and effective information technology systems and tools that make it easier to improve outcomes for children and families, keep them safely together and provide insight and analysis into what's working and what's not to leverage advancements in research and technology.
  • Identify opportunities with our data to drive education, policies and strategies.

Strategic projects and initiatives

ODHS Child Welfare has several initiatives and improvement projects underway or in a planning phase that align with this guiding principle to create a road map for transformation.


Desired outcomes

By following this principle, we expect to achieve outcomes that include:

  • Aligned reports, metrics and measures across the child and family serving system.
  • Focus on research that supports key goals and child and family outcomes.
  • Use of data and data dashboards in daily operations and decision-making.
  • Improve usability of information technology solutions that meet the needs of case management and data information systems.
  • Increase usage of CQI systems across programs that are based on up-to-date technology, science and best practices.
  • Increase of real-time, accurate data dashboards for key metrics.