March 2024: How investing in human services improves outcomes and makes economic sense: the NSW Investment Approach and Forecasting Future Outcomes model
Missed the live webinar? A captioned recording is available to view now
Details
The Department of Communities and Justice is working with government and non-government partners on the Investment Approach for human services in NSW. The goal is to improve outcomes for children and families in need across NSW. An Investment Approach uses data to understand the needs of children and families who receive human services as well as their outcomes. This approach relies on modelling and analysis, to help improve decision making and identifies groups that are more likely to have poorer life outcomes. Evidence-based programs that bring about meaningful improvements in people’s lives make economic sense because they help to reduce the need for services in future. In this way, funding can be prioritised to produce the greatest impact.
In this FACSIAR Lunch and Learn Webinar, speakers from the Investment Modelling team in FACSIAR presented the main component of the NSW Investment Approach - the Forecasting Future Outcomes model. This model uses service usage and life outcomes information from multiple NSW and Commonwealth government agencies as well as evaluation results to:
- better understand what services people receive
- understand the factors that affect people’s use of human services
- project service use into the future
- build evidence of what works to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
This webinar was chaired by Jessica Stewart (Executive Director, FACSIAR).
Presentation materials
How investing in human services improves outcomes and makes economic sense: the NSW Investment Approach and Forecasting Future Outcomes model
Alexander Cockburn – Manager Investment Modelling, FACSIAR, DCJ
Hannah Kenyon – Senior Investment Modelling Analyst, FACSIAR, DCJ
Ramanan Sornarajah – Investment Modelling Analyst, FACSIAR, DCJ
Download slides PDF, 3695.06 KB
Additional Resources
Forecasting Future Outcomes
Investment Approach for Human Services in NSW
The Department of Communities and Justice is working with government and non-government partners on an investment approach for human services. The goal is to improve outcomes for children and families in need across NSW. Click here to learn more about the Investment Approach for Human Services in NSW.
Human Services Dataset (HSDS)
Click here to learn more about the Human Services Dataset (HSDS)
Contact: ResearchPartnerships@facs.nsw.gov.au