• Using indicators for policy making

Using indicators for policy making

Santa Cruz County, California has one of the oldest community indicator projects, with the first year of its Community Assessment Project (CAP) starting in 1994 and continuing through 2006 and beyond.

This paper outlines the history of the CAP, how it reveals the quality of life in the county, and how it educates community members. It also describes the successes of the CAP in acting as a catalyst for change in the community and challenges it faces.

The CAP seeks to accomplish four major goals:

• assess the quality of life in the county
• educate community members
• act as a catalyst for social and political change
• help evaluate the impact of social and political change in the county.

The CAP is based on primary data and credible secondary data that are gathered for 125 indicators in six areas:

• Economy
• Education
• Health
• Public Safety
• The Natural Environment
• The Social Environment.

Out of the overall indicators, some indicators are chosen as key indicators.The key indicators are not necessarily the most important quality of life indicators, but the most indicative of the overall condition of that particular subject area.

The Santa Cruz County CAP has achieved its greatest success in the areas of teen substance use and universal health care for children. Early CAP data about the high levels of teen substance abuse and low levels of health insurance for children acted as a catalyst for change in the county.

It has also led to new initiatives to reduce binge drinking and obesity, as well as contributing to a data development agenda. On a budget ranging from US$60,000 to US$75,000 each year, Santa Cruz County has been able to compile a rich data document and encourage community wide change.

• Full text of document
• Publisher details
• Send to a friend