Westat designed and is implementing a rigorous 5-year evaluation plan in 3 Michigan counties.

The mixed-method process evaluation, which includes annual onsite interviews and focus groups with state and county child welfare staff and leadership, provides the context for foster care service delivery in the 3 counties.

The outcome study examines changes in child and family outcomes using propensity score matching to create a statewide comparison group.

The cost study addresses changes in service delivery and administrative costs by examining system-level expenditure and revenue trends across multiple data sources.

In the pilot site, the transition to performance-based funding has resulted in the following changes

• Process findings: increase in communication and collaboration among child-serving agencies
• Cost findings: increase (50%+) in total expenditures for foster care services

Foster children are more likely to

• Achieve permanency and exit care in fewer days
• Experience fewer placement changes than comparison children