Matrix Evaluation Model - Family Development Matrix

Family Development Matrix

Design And Implementation of the Family Matrix Outcomes Measurement Model
by the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies

What is the Family Development Matrix?

The Family Development Matrix is one of three matrices that make up the California Matrix Model. The other two are called the Agency Development Matrix and the Community Scaling Tool. If you would like information on training for either one, contact Jerry Endres.

The Family Development Matrix, like the Agency Development Matrix and the Community Scaling Tool, is a tool to help the caseworker or family support or advocate worker with case management and their ability to measure the progress of the families they serve.

A Measure of Family Progress and Outcomes

There's no way to truly put on paper the complex realities of the families, but the Family Development Matrix helps by quantifing the qualitative.

The Family Development Matrix encourages skill building in a parent and the development of outcomes that enable the measuring of family progress. The most recent evaluation research shows that both are important in achieving change.

This documentation of a family's process in achieving outcomes allows the worker and family to look across categories and indicators of family progress so they can learn from the past to better plan for the future.

A Strengths-Based Approach to Case Management

The Family Development Matrix is based on a strength model rather than a deficit model. It documents where a family is thriving as well as where it needs support, and allows those using it to easily identify strengths from which to start addressing needs.

The process of working with the Family Development Matrix over time helps family members develop the skills they need to make decisions, solve problems, plan and follow through on activities, evaluate success and failure, verbalize feelings and explain actions, etc. It models a process for problem solving that most families can integrate into their own thinking, apply in other situations, and help their children learn. These are the very empowerment skills they need to be successful in working toward and achieving outcomes.

Strategic Planning and Management by Outcomes

The use of the Matrix model is responsive to the need for accountability and promotes strategic planning and continuous improvement. The data from the Matrix is used by the worker to assess the status of the clients, by the supervisor to review the cases in their unit, and senior managers to address gaps, allocate resources, and celebrate success. Funders and policy decision-makers can better understand how funds allocated are bringing tangible results.

The chart below describes the general indicators of one program's Family Development Matrix. Each program adapts a model to fit their service population. Additional program examples are displayed in the Indicators section of the Matrix web page.

The Family Development Matrix Outcomes Model

Assess where to start with families
Chart family progress
Set goals with families
Assess effectiveness of services

Categories & General Indicators:

Adult Education/Employment	Children's Care and Safety	Children's Education/Development	Community Relations
* Employed or not * Presence or absence of career goals, appropriateness of goals. * Level of education, job skills; work history * Employment in field of choice * Income, hours, benefits	* Access to quality child care/after school programming * Ability to afford child care/after school programming * Assure safe environment	* Age-appropriate development -physical, cognitive, emotional * Age appropriate behavior; social skills * Verbal communication * Parents value child's education * Parent/child interaction * School behavior; attendance and readiness to learn	* Knowledge of and access to community resources * Participation in the community (i.e. school, church, clubs, etc.) * Social conditions in the neighborhood * Ability to communicate with others * Type of relationship with family, friends and neighborhood
Family Relations	Finances	Food/Clothing	Health/Safety
* Family health * Ability to resolve conflict * Interfamily communication skills * Parenting skills * Extended family relationships	* Income level in context of local cost of living * Long and short-term financial goals * Budgeting skills and financial discipline * Knowledge and understanding of financial institutions and resources	* Ability to afford adequate food and clothing * Quality of diet; adequacy of clothing * Nutritional value of mealsConditions of food preparation resources (utensils, space, appliances, sanitation)	* Environmental conditions * Health habits * Access to health resources * Status of physical health * Ability to afford health care
Immigration/ Resettlement	Shelter	Social & Emotional Health and Competence	Transportation/ Mobility
* Immigration status * Language skills based on needs * Maintaining cultural identity Parent/Child Relationships * Age and developmentally appropriate * Nurturing * Discipline * Interactions / Enrichment	* Security of housing over time * Safety of housing * Stability of housing over time * Condition of housing * Income and resources for housing	* Quality of social support system * Presence, degree of substance abuse * Sense of personal responsibility * Ability and willingness to identify needs and access resources * Quality of mental health	* Access to transportation based on level of need * Safety, condition of transportation Legal status of driver, vehicle (license, insurance, etc.)

Questions and Answers about the Family Development Matrix

Design And Implementation of the Family Matrix Outcomes Measurement Model by the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies

Design And Implementation of the Family Matrix Outcomes Measurement Model
by the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies