Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Outsourced Oversight for Community-Based Care Produced Benefits But Substantive Challenges

Report 09-09, February 2009




Report Summary

  • Although the pilot project to outsource program oversight of two child welfare lead agencies experienced implementation setbacks, it is now operational. The pilot project has resulted in improved quality assurance and performance measurement systems for both the Department of Children and Families and the pilot lead agencies. The department has used the methodology developed by the outsourced program monitor to strengthen its statewide quality assurance system, while the pilot lead agencies have enhanced their internal quality assurance and quality improvement systems. Both the department and the lead agencies report that they will be able to sustain most of these improvements.
  • However, outsourcing program oversight of lead agencies has created several challenges. It has distanced the department from the lead agencies and thus reduced its firsthand knowledge about the quality of child welfare services. It has also reduced the department's control over the timing, quality, and scope of oversight and has increased monitoring costs. Given these challenges, we recommend that the Legislature consider not continuing or expanding outsourced lead agency program oversight.


Related Reports
  1. DCF Takes Action to Improve Implementation of State's Community-Based Care Initiatives
    Report 08-52 September 2008
  2. DCF Improves Contract Oversight of Lead Agencies; Fiscal, Quality, and Performance Assessment Are Undergoing Change
    Report 08-39 June 2008
  3. Department of Children and Families Has Strengthened Its Contract Oversight System
    Report 08-32 May 2008
  4. Pilot to Outsource CBC Program Oversight Encountered Setbacks; Effectiveness Unknown
    Report 08-09 February 2008
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
child welfare, child protection, outsourced, privatized, community-based care, lead agencies, DCF, monitoring, quality assurance, quality improvement, outcomes, performance measures, foster care