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Track: Local/State Government, Cadastral, Land Records
Gary Johnson
Fresno County
2600 Ventura
Fresno, CA 93721
Telephone: 209-453-6761
Fax: 209-453-6100
E-mail: gjohnson@fresno.co.gov
Beyond ZIP Codes: Outcome Measuring for Social Service Programs
Defining Issue: The traditional method of examining social service program outcomes employs modeling data by ZIP Codes. A problem with this approach is that it assumes the area within the ZIP Codes boundaries are homogeneous in nature. The major shortcoming of this approach is no matter how compelling the data appear, the results can only be examined within the context of the ZIP Code area. An outcome of this is that decision makers question a program's relative worth and effectiveness regarding other areas. GIS Solution: GIS is seen as the vehicle that will allow social service programs to move away from a zip code limiting view of their client population. The paradigm shift of clients forced into a world based on ZIP Codes to one that focuses on the individuals within the context of their neighborhood is viewed as a means that will allow social service agencies to provide social services that are measurable and transferable to other needy areas. Methodology: The Family Preservation and Support
Program has the goal of reducing child abuse, delinquency, teenage pregnancy/parenthood, and substance abuse within six pilot neighborhoods in Fresno County. Initially, GIS data development focused on building the underlying spatial framework to which the evaluation process will be referenced, and from which baseline data will be compared to future program data. GIS is a tool that will allow the integration of data from different governmental sources (address is the key) to be viewed within the spatial context of the study areas. This process provides a link between traditional tabular data and powerful spatial analytical tools beyond the restrictions of ZIP Code areas. Software: ArcInfo, ArcView, MapObjects, C++, Visual Basic.
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