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Performance Measures

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Understanding Performance Measures

Grantees are asked to collect and report data on the following types of performance measures:

  • Output measures: Indicate the product of an activity. These generally track the volume of work accomplished, such as the amount of service delivered, staff hired, or number of individuals served. Output measures may also collect process information.
  • Outcome measures: Document the benefit or change in an individual's life or the result of a change in a program, system policy, or practice. Outcomes may track a change in behavior, attitudes, skills, knowledge, values, conditions, or other attributes. Examples include changes in academic performance or recidivism rates.

OJJDP's performance measure categories include:

  • Core measures: Performance measures aligned with OJJDP's mission and reported across nearly all OJJDP program areas to present a comprehensive picture of OJJDP's desired impact.
  • Short-term measures: Capture data tracked during the reporting period for individuals served, activities implemented, or for individuals who exited a program during the six-month activity period. 
  • Long-term measures: Capture data on individuals who exited a program 6–12 months prior to the activity period, who are tracked by the grantee during the reporting period. Long-term measures generally include changes in participants' behavior, attitudes, skills and/or knowledge, or changes in system-level practices or policies. 

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