Evaluating policy development involves assessing changes in people s ability to influence policy. It also involves gathering evidence about the kinds of policies and procedures developed and their impact on children, youth, and families. Policies that affect children, youth, and families may be direct such as funding for specific programs or services, or indirect such as local zoning laws determining where families can live.
Policies generate both intended and unintended consequences.
To evaluate policy development at the community level, policy is defined as a set of guidelines designed to govern decision making and actions. A collaboration develops a course of action based on shared visioning of what is best for children, youth and families in that community. Collaborations evaluate policy development in two different areas. In the first area, collaborations assess outcomes related to enhancing citizens ability to develop and influence policies. In the second area, collaborations evaluate changes in policies supporting children, youth and families in the community.