Moving the Needle: Using Evidence-Based Approaches to Improve Public Sector Programs

Over the past five years, “Moving the Needle,” an annual event hosted by Governing and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, has supported the evolution of evidence-based approaches in state and local government to promote equity and ensure resources and efforts are directed toward improving outcomes for children and families. Throughout the history of Moving the Needle, some of the nation’s leading experts on public sector performance improvement have discussed how jurisdictions can successfully set goals, identify performance metrics and measure progress to promote better population outcomes. This paper offers examples of evidence-informed state and local programs that have surfaced at the event through the years and includes links to important resources and best practices for policymakers interested in evidence-driven interventions and government.