FYJP’s court improvement work is data informed, sensitive to local culture and needs, and mindful of the multi-system nature of dependency court practice. Dependency court communities interested in using data to assess the effectiveness of system processes and outcomes can request FYJP’s support. We will work with you to identify and assemble data for analysis and help interpret results. We can also assist with interpreting research studies and identifying implications for improving practice.
“The data gives us important insights into how we can further improve the system to achieve the best outcomes for our state’s children.”
– Barbara Madsen, Chief Justice
FYJP partners with the Washington State Center for Court Research (WSCCR) to help local dependency courts use court and DCYF data as a tool for court improvement.
The Interactive Dependency Timeliness Report (iDTR) provides data that counties can use to manage, assess, and improve their court systems on a local level. It also enables FYJP to efficiently target federal training resources to maximize their effectiveness. Using data from iDTR and DCYF’s Famlink database, FYJP helps local jurisdictions identify issues where they can undertake measurable change efforts through targeted training and implementation. The iDTR allows FYJP , AOC, DCYF and local courts to operate from a common data source when making strategic decisions.
Since 2007, WSCCR has produced the annual Dependent Children in Washington State: Case Timeliness and Outcomes report. The report presents information about dependent children and the processing and outcomes of their cases on a county and state level. This supports local review and discussion about how specific courts serve children and families involved in the child welfare system.
WSCCR also maintains a public interactive Dependency Dashboard updated on a monthly and quarterly basis. It provides data for the state and by county, including case filing and termination numbers, court timeliness measures and race and ethnicity breakdowns for children in care.
