RBA uses a data-driven, decision-making process to help communities and organizations get beyond talking about problems to taking action to solve problems. It is a simple, common sense framework that everyone can understand. RBA starts with ends and works backward, towards means. The “end” or difference you are trying to make looks slightly different if you are working on a broad community level or are focusing on your specific program or organization.

The population versus performance distinction is what separates RBA from all other frameworks. It is important to understand because it determines who is responsible for what. Population accountability organizes our work with co-equal partners to promote community well-being. In contrast, Performance Accountability organizes our work to have the greatest impact on our customers. What we do for our customers is our contribution to community impact.

RBA improves the lives of children, families, and communities and the performance of programs because RBA:

• Gets from talk to action quickly;
• Is a simple, common sense process that everyone can understand;
• Helps groups to surface and challenge assumptions that can be barriers to innovation;
• Builds collaboration and consensus;
• Uses data and transparency to ensure accountability for both the well-being of people and the performance of programs.

RBA Source

The following communities or organizations are utilizing this approach:

The following contacts have assisted the implementation of this program in their respective communities and have been listed because they have given permission to be contacted as peer resources regarding this program.

• Madison County Health Department
  • Deana Stephens - dstephens@madisoncountync.gov
• Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency
  • Megan Hauser - mhauser@haywoodnc.net
• Jackson County Health Department
  • Janelle Messer - janellemesser@jacksonnc.org

RBA Grid of Performance Measures

PM Better Off WNC Avg % of members who use RBA in their own work (programs, agencies, etc.)

PM Better Off WNC Avg % of members who understand and can articulate the difference between population accountability & performance accountability

PM Better Off WNC Avg % of members who can talk about their program performance and how it contributes to population indicators

The following is not a comprehensive list and represents some of the organizations that provide technical assistance and support for RBA in WNC.

The partners in WNC for this process include:

• Healthy Impact RBA Consulting Team: WNC Health Network utilizes RBA for Healthy Impact. The aim of Healthy Impact is to facilitate collaboration amongst member health departments and care providers, so RBA is particularly useful. To fund the application of RBA, WNC Health Network receives funding from The Duke Endowment, listed below.
  • Contact Information: 828.418.5037 - Email: Erin Braasch - Program Manager and Improvement Specialist