Fairfax County was announced as one of four national recipients of a partnership grant aimed at developing some of the nation’s first Outcomes Rate Cards—an innovative “pay-for-performance” approach to social contracting and financing which incentivizes the achievement of desired outcomes. As a recipient of this unique partnership opportunity, the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will work closely with the organization at the forefront of this new approach, Social Finance, in the implementation of this new funding model for social programs.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to work with and benefit from the expertise of Social Finance in developing and implementing this new financing model for programs funded through the Partners in Prevention Fund,” said Jesse Ellis, Prevention Manager with the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “By creating and implementing Outcomes Rate Cards to incentivize desired outcomes, we expect not only to see enhanced efficiency in our funding of these programs, but also improved outcomes in the lives of whom these programs affect.”
The Partners in Prevention Fund provides seed funding to non-government organizations to provide 11 specifically-defined social programs designed to meet existing needs throughout the county. The partnership will initially focus on the development of Outcomes Rate Cards for two of these programs – Strengthening Families: For Parents and Youth 10-14 and Families Reunite. Strengthening Families is an evidence-based program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect, improving parent-child relationships, and preventing risky behavior (such as substance use) among children. Families Reunite serves reunifying families, who are at increased risk for academic problems, gang involvement, substance use, and mental health problems.
The Outcomes Rate Card Development Competition is supported by a 2016 award from the Social Innovation Fund (SIF) – a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Social Finance was awarded funding as part of SIF’s Round 2 Pay for Success Grants Competition, which seeks to build the pipeline of Pay for Success projects for local governments.
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About Social Finance
Social Finance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing capital to drive social progress. Social Finance is committed to using Pay for Success to tackle complex social challenges, facilitate greater access to services for vulnerable populations, and direct capital to evidence-based social programs – all with the goal of measurably improving the lives of people most in need. Social Finance has deep experience in the design and implementation of Pay for Success projects, from early-stage feasibility assessment, to project development and capital formation, to post-launch performance management and investment support. Social Finance’s sister organization, Social Finance UK, pioneered the first social impact bond in the world.
About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is the federal agency for volunteering, service, and civic engagement. The agency engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.