Annual Report

Access the PolicyWise 2017/2018 Annual Report and project report, “Generating New Evidence” below. Our previous reports from 2016 and 2015 are also available below.

If you have any questions about our reports, please feel free to contact us at communications@policywise.com.

Outcomes

PolicyWise’ outcomes are tracked and monitored through our performance management process. Specific accomplishments will continue to be described in our annual report. Details such as performance metrics and milestones will be contained in our operational plan. Our key outcomes are listed here by fiscal year, as they align with more than one strategic direction and major initiative.

Fiscal Year 2014/15

• PolicyWise’ combined efforts have led to the accomplishment of key goals identified within Alberta’s Social Policy Framework.
• PolicyWise’ research strategies have been adopted and are increasing awareness and collaboration among researchers, communities, government and funders.
• PolicyWise has influenced identifiable improvements in the Child Intervention system through its work to develop the Child Intervention Service Quality Framework.
• PolicyWise’ research impact assessment matrix is designed with multi-sector, interdisciplinary input including front-line service providers, community agencies, policy makers, caregivers and researchers.

Fiscal Year 2015/16

• The Child and Youth Longitudinal Study (Project 2), produces new knowledge that is disseminated widely and embedded within the knowledge management strategy of child-serving Ministries.
• Alberta researchers are depositing their data to the Child Data Centre’s Research Repository and new projects have been initiated.
• PolicyWise’ model for capacity building is articulated and embedded in all large-scale initiatives undertaken and supported by The Centre.
• PolicyWise has developed a significant initiative to be supported by the Social Innovation Endowment (SIE) Fund.
• PolicyWise’ Research Impact Assessment matrix is tested and implemented.
• PolicyWise’ Evaluation Quality Assurance Framework is designed and used to guide assessment of all evaluation projects submitted to and managed by PolicyWise.

Fiscal Year 2016/17

• PolicyWise is a leader in administrative data linkage and analysis, and administrative data flows to us on a regular basis to ensure timely support to emerging government priorities.
• PolicyWise has successfully achieved the next steps in our innovative approach to data linkage such as enabling linkage between the research data and other types of data.
• PolicyWise increases provincial capacity to generate and use policy-relevant, interdisciplinary research generated from its research strategies.
• PolicyWise develops effective strategies to assess the impact of the Social Innovation Endowment Fund.
• PolicyWise’ Research Impact Assessment matrix and Evaluation Quality Assurance framework are evaluated to ensure effectiveness.

Fiscal Year 2017/18

• PolicyWise’ analytical expertise and products are regularly sought after and used by Government departments to inform policy and practice decisions to benefit children, families and communities.
• The final stage of our data sharing vision is implemented through the inclusion of data from community organizations to improve policy and service delivery outcomes.
• PolicyWise’ model for building capacity for policy-relevant, interdisciplinary research is shared provincially and nationally.
• PolicyWise can demonstrate its essential role in providing evidence for policy and service delivery within our five research themes: PolicyWise utilizes its impact measures to inform strategic directions for the 2018/21 Strategic Business Plan.
• PolicyWise utilizes its impact measures to inform strategic directions for the 2018/21 Strategic Business Plan.

Financial Forecast

PolicyWise achieves its mission by managing and operating three separate funds, each of which is reported separately in the financial statements: Research, Child and Youth Data Lab and Operations. A new fund will be created to capture the activity of SAGE.

Through the Research Fund, PolicyWise funds and conducts research and evaluations and mobilizes knowledge. The full costs of supporting research have not been historically covered through the grant received and the deficit is covered through reserve funds. PolicyWise has started to include a cost recovery amount within most contracts to ensure that the projected deficit in the Research Fund is reduced.*

The source funding for the Child and Youth Data Lab (CYDL) has come from the Alberta Government on a year-by-year basis. The strategy for the future is to create a sustainable business model for the CYDL with multiyear, annualized funding to ensure timely data-informed decisions for integrated, cross Ministry policy decisions.

The Operations Fund bears all of the indirect costs of PolicyWise associated with the running and maintaining of research and knowledge mobilization programs. There are predictable increases in the costs of support services such as information technology and equipment upgrades.

Moving Forward

This strategic plan will help us achieve our overall objective to inform policies and practices for children, families and communities. We look forward to working with our partners to finalize initiatives that are already underway, and act upon those initiatives that are in the early stages. We hold ourselves to the highest standards for delivering quality services and products, which in turn drives our passionate pursuit of organizational excellence. During the course of this plan, PolicyWise will continue to commit to organizational excellence through providing leadership and team development, technical training, and internal capacity building in our
core functions.

PolicyWise is optimistic about the future with a strong emphasis on improving Alberta’s social system through evidence and innovation. Our strategic plan will help us focus resources and efforts, while also identifying gaps and new opportunities for growth or refinement. By utilizing a continuous evaluation cycle from data and information to evidence and wisdom, in partnership with government, academia, and the community, we can be assured of success.