Family Impact Checklist
This FAMILY
IMPACT CHECKLIST was developed by COFO, a national Consortium
Of Family Organizations, and is being distributed by the Family Service
Council of Ohio as a tool for use in analyzing policies, legislation, regulations,
programs, and/or services.
The FAMILY SERVICE COUNCIL OF OHIO is a statewide organization
committed to enhancing family living and family serving systems in Ohio.
The Council believes that in discussing and implementing any policy, program
or service "FAMILY IMPACT" must be considered and that the following
basic principles must be adhered to:
- That individuals be considered within the context of FAMILIES
and that families be considered within the context of COMMUNITIES;
- That the goal be SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT of families; and,
- That the public sector fulfills its obligations and responsibilities
to those most in need . . . OHIO'S MOST FRAGILE FAMILIES.
The Family Service Council believes that STRONG FAMILIES MEAN STRONG
COMMUNITIES and hopes that this "Family Impact Tool" will
be helpful in ensuring that the policies and services in Ohio STRENGTHEN
OHIO'S FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
FAMILY
IMPACT CHECKLIST: A TOOL FOR ANALYSIS
Check those principles and questions that apply to the particular program
or policy.
 1. FAMILY SUPPORT AND
RESPONSIBILITIES: Policies and programs should aim to support and supplement
family functioning and provide substitute services only as a last resort.
How does the proposal (or
existing program) support and supplement parents' and other family members'
ability to carry out their responsibilities?
Does it provide incentives
for other persons to take over family functioning when doing so may not
be necessary?
What effects does it have
on marital commitment or parental obligations? What effects does it have
on adult children's ties to elderly parents?
2. FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
AND STABILITY: Whenever possible, policies and programs should encourage
and reinforce marital, parental, and family commitment and stability, especially
when children are involved. Intervention in family membership and living
arrangements is usually justified only to protect family members from serious
harm or at the request of the family itself.
What incentives or disincentives
does the policy or program provide to marry, separate, or divorce?
What incentives or disincentives
are provided to give birth to, foster, or adopt children?
What criteria are used to
justify removal of a child or adult from the family?
What resources are allocated
to help keep the family together when this is the appropriate goal?
What services are provided
to help keep family members living apart remain connected and, if appropriate,
come together again?
3. FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
AND INTERDEPENDENCE: Policies and programs must recognize the interdependence
of family relationships, the strength and persistence of family ties and
obligations, and the wealth of resources that families can mobilize to
help their members.
To what extent does the
policy or program design recognize the influence of the family context
upon the individual's need or problem?
To what extent does it involve
immediate and extended family members in working toward a solution?
To what extent does it acknowledge
the power and persistence of family ties, especially when they are problematic
or destructive?
How does it assess and balance
the competing needs, rights, and interests of various members of a family?
4. FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
AND EMPOWERMENT: Policies and programs must encourage individuals and their
close family members to collaborate as partners with program professionals
in the delivery of services to an individual. In addition, parent and family
representatives are an essential resource in policy development, program
planning, and evaluation.
In what specific ways does
the proposed or existing program provide full information and a range of
choices to individuals and their close family members?
In what ways do program
professionals work in collaboration with the families of their clients,
patients, or students?
In what ways does the program
or policy involve parents and family representatives in policy and program
development, implementation, and evaluation?
5. FAMILY DIVERSITY:
Families come in many forms and configurations, and policies and programs
must take into account their different effects on different types of families.
Policies and programs must acknowledge and value the diversity of family
life and not discriminate against or penalize families solely for reasons
of structure, roles, cultural values, or life stage.
How does the proposal or
program affect various types of families?
If the proposed or existing
program targets only certain families, for example, only employed parents
or single parents, what is the justification?
Does it discriminate against
or penalize other types of families for insufficient reason?
How does it identify and
respect the different values, attitudes, and behavior of families from
various racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds that are relevant
to program effectiveness?
6. TARGETING VULNERABLE
FAMILIES: Families in greatest economic and social need, as well as those
determined to be most vulnerable to breakdown, should have first priority
in government policies and programs.
Does the proposed or existing
program identify and target publicly supported services for families in
the most extreme economic or social need?
Does it give priority and
preventive services to families who are most vulnerable to breakdown?
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