Data and Monitoring Tools

Monitoring and research are essential processes in ensuring the relevance and effectiveness of programs, and the scope and type of service provision. They are integral components of analysis, strategic planning, and implementation for government and non-governmental organisations seeking to effect change, support or provide services.

Monitoring is an on-going process of gathering information e.g. statistics and tracking inputs and outputs, enabling the evaluation of what is working, and providing a mechanism for accountability. Combined with research, it facilitates the planning of improved resource allocation and service delivery. Research and monitoring can also help raise awareness of the gravity of a situation, both nationally and internationally. It should help convince those who are putting time, energy and money into supporting programmes that their efforts are worthwhile and should be continued.

Results of monitoring and evaluation should be fed directly back into programmes to correct weaknesses and improve performance. The outcomes of research and monitoring should also help improve child care policies. Results can be used to inform future programme design, prompting a decision to replicate an effective intervention in other areas or to discontinue an intervention because it is expensive and not making any beneficial changes.

The literature in this section provides statistical data on vulnerable children from a wide range of sources, as well as guidance and examples of data collection, indicators, analysis, and research methods regarding issues relating to vulnerable children.

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Nepal MICS 2014: Children’s Care and Living Arrangements

Garazi Zulaika and Florence Martin - Better Care Network, 2016

This series of country briefs aims to provide an analysis of children’s living and care arrangements according to the latest available data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) or Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys (MICS) at the time of publication.

Rwanda DHS 2014 - 2015: Children’s Care and Living Arrangements

Garazi Zulaika and Florence Martin - Better Care Network, 2016

This country brief is part of a series that aims to provide an analysis of children’s living and care arrangements according to the latest available data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) or Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys (MICS) at the time of publication.

Early Childhood Matters: Advances in early childhood development

Bernard van Leer Foundation, 2016

'Early Childhood Matters' is an annual publication from the Bernard van Leer Foundation which aims to “spread awareness of promising solutions to support holistic child development and explore the elements needed to take those solutions to scale.”

Trends in U.S. Adoptions: 2008–2012

Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2016

This report presents data on the total number of adoptions in the United States as well as the number of public, intercountry, and other adoptions covering 2008 to 2012.

Philippines Alternative Care Case Study

Martin James Foundation, 2016

As part of phase one of the development of the Martin James Foundation's Asia Care Network, comprehensive studies of the care system in each country were conducted to highlight the need for developing alternative care systems across South-East Asia. This case study highlights the relevant data from the Philippines.

The State of the Ugandan Child: An Analytical Overview

Walakira, E.J., D. Muhangi, S. Munyuwiny, F. Matovu, E. Awich, I. Ddumba Nyanzi, J. Kayiwa, J. Akellot, P. Mubiri, J. Majugo, A. Mutebi, M. Ruiz-Rodriguez - USAID, 2016

The State of the Ugandan Child: An Analytical Overview focuses on four thematic areas, namely: health and nutrition, education, child protection and child participation; with emphasis placed on the girl child.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Video Series

James Bell Associates, 2016

This three-part video series shows how a fictional organization, Greene County Department of Human Services, set out to improve permanency for children and youth by increasing the number of available foster and adoptive homes using data-driven decision making (DDDM).

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The State of Grandfamilies in America 2015

Generations United, 31 Dec 2015

The State of Grandfamilies in America 2015 identifies key state laws and policies designed to address barriers and to better support grandparents and other relatives raising children. The report also offers recommendations to help guide the development of supportive federal and state policies and services for grandfamilies.

Community-based surveillance to monitor trends in unaccompanied and separated children in eastern DRC

Rubenstein BL, Spencer C, Mansourian H, Noble E, Munganga GB, and Stark L, 01 Dec 2015

A mobile phone-based community surveillance system was piloted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the goal of identifying new cases of unaccompanied and separated children on a weekly basis.

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Liberia: Children's Care and Living Arrangements DHS 2013

Better Care Network, 11 Nov 2015

This brief is part of a series of country briefs which aim to provide an analysis of children’s living and care arrangements according to t