How Counties Can Use Evidence-Based Policymaking to Achieve Better Outcomes

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Counties invest more than $550 billion annually to deliver essential front-line services to communities and residents. To help make these investment decisions, county leaders are increasingly turning to evidence-based policymaking, or the systematic use of findings from program evaluations and outcome analyses to guide policy and funding decisions. Targeting resources to evidence-based programs with proven results can help county leaders invest in cost-effective services, enable innovation and strengthen accountability. This report from the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative highlights examples of county leadership employing evidence-based policymaking, as well as provides lessons learned that can help other county leaders as they work to include more data and research in their programs and policies. Click here to read the full report.

NACo and Pew also partnered for an Evidence-Based Policymaking webinar series that highlights the key strategies outlined in the report and features evidence-based work done by several counties covered in the report.

Evidence-Based Policymaking Part 1: Identifying Effective Programs

Evidence-Based Policymaking Part 2: Using Evidence in Budgeting & Contracting

Evidence-Based Policymaking Part 3: Delivering Effective Programs & Monitoring Outcomes

Rigorous Evidence 101 & Research Clearinghouses

• Evidence_Based_Policymaking_in_Counties_v5.pdf