Results-Driven Investments

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) has a results-driven investment strategy modeled after Results Based Accountability™ (RBA). RBA is a simple, common-sense framework that starts with ends (the desired result you are trying to achieve) and works backward toward means (the strategies for getting there). RBA helps HSD move from ideas to action and ensure that the department's work is making a real difference in people's lives.

RBA looks at:

• Population accountability through population indicators which assess well-being of all individuals in Seattle, and
• Performance accountability through performance measures which assess well-being of individuals and families directly served by our programs or funding.

Based on the RBA framework, performance measures should include:

• Quantity measures of how much service is being provided
• Quality measures of how well a service is being provided
• Impact measures of who is better off due to the services provided

RBA guides our work, however the Theory of Change (TOC)  is the tool that pulls it all together. The TOC is an outline that shows the link between population accountability, desired results, ways for achieving the desired results, and performance measures. View an early presentation of how this theory of change was developed in our department.

Notably, the TOC highlights disparity data and specifies racial equity goals to address these disparities—this approach is rooted in the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative. In 2018, as directed by Ordinance 125474, HSD also began identifying gender disparity data and including gender equity goals in our TOC.

HSD is committed to making sure our investments—supported by data—advance our city toward the racial equity goal that people of color do not experience disparities in their ability to succeed. We seek to fund those community-based providers and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a proven ability to effectively serve populations with the greatest disparities.

The table below lists the desired results we want to achieve and the indicators we are tracking that would indicate successes in each of our six investment areas: