Family Development Matrix

Design And Implementation of the Family Matrix Outcomes Measurement Model
by the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies

What is the Family Development Matrix?

The Family Development Matrix is one of three matrices that make up the California Matrix Model. The other two are called the Agency Development Matrix and the Community Scaling Tool. If you would like information on training for either one, contact Jerry Endres.

The Family Development Matrix is a tool to help the caseworker or family support or advocate worker with case management and their ability to measure the progress of the families they serve.

A Measure of Family Progress and Outcomes

There's no way to truly put on paper the complex realities of the families, but the Family Development Matrix helps by quantifing the qualitative information.

The Family Development Matrix encourages strength skill building in parents and the development of goals that enable the measuring of family progress. The most recent evaluation research shows that family participation is important in achieving change.

Documentation of a family's process in achieving outcomes allows the worker and family to look across indicators of family progress so they can learn from the past to better plan for the future.

A Strengths-Based Approach to Case Management

The Family Development Matrix is based on a strength model rather than a deficit model. It documents where a family is thriving as well as where it needs support, and allows those using it to easily identify strengths from which to start addressing needs and set goals.

The process of working with the Family Development Matrix over time helps family members develop the skills they need to make decisions, solve problems, plan and follow through on activities, evaluate success and failure, verbalize feelings and explain actions, etc. It models a process for problem solving that most families can integrate into their own thinking, apply in other situations, and help their children learn. These are the very empowerment skills they need to be successful in working toward and achieving outcomes.

Strategic Planning and Management by Outcomes

The use of the Matrix model is responsive to the need for accountability and promotes strategic planning and continuous improvement. The data from the Matrix is used by the worker to assess the status of clients, by the supervisor to review the cases in their unit, and senior managers to address gaps, allocate resources, and celebrate success. Funders and policy decision-makers can better understand how funds allocated are bringing tangible results.

The chart below describes the general indicators of one program's Family Development Matrix. Each program adapts a model to fit their service population. Additional program examples are displayed in the examples of Matrix Indicators section of the web page.

The Family Development Matrix Outcomes Model

• Assess where to start with families
• Chart family progress
• Set goals with families
• Assess effectiveness of services and family progress