In this vein, FTN has contributed to improving how data is used in serving families and improving our system in the following key ways:

• Commissioned a study to understand what local data tells us about the priorities for system change in our system, and to glean local and national best practices in recruitment and caregiving quality. This study was then used to prioritize opportunities to improve our local LA caregiving system.
• Commissioned a follow up study to better understand the role of Foster Family Agencies in our LA system, and how we can better both support them and engage them in our system change efforts. This study yielded the formation of our Cross-Sector Workgroup and engagement of FFAs in pilots and in our data and equity efforts.
• Formed a Foster Together Network Data Workgroup, which operates on the mission of making data actionable to support more targeted and strategic family recruitment and ensure the best quality placements for youth.
• Developed a Dashboard for real-time foster resource management for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in early 2020, designed to centralize real-time monitoring of child needs and resource parent availability, analyze data for insights, and guide future recruitment and retention strategies. This innovative system facilitates targeted enhancements in care quality and volume, aiding youth placement in appropriate homes and schools.
• Supporting DCFS in evaluating potential technological solutions to improve recruitment among Foster Family Agencies and and improve data tracking countywide, which led to the adoption of BINTI Resource Family Approval technology as a countywide tool. This marks a substantial stride in enhancing our capacity to enlist new resource families and improving overall access to system-wide data