About Boone County Upward Mobility

many hands holding cogs together

Boone County's Upward Mobility project is an initiative aimed at increasing economic mobility from poverty and utilizes Results-Based Accountability (RBA) to drive equity-centered and data-informed decisions. RBA involves community stakeholders at each step of the planning process to guide implementation of intervention strategies identified by the community as part of a Mobility Action Plan.

Background

Boone County was selected as one of eight counties or municipalities in the Upward Mobility Cohort with funding from the Urban Institute. This award allowed Boone County to create a Mobility Action Plan focused on reducing racial and ethnic inequities and support upward mobility from poverty. The Urban Institute provided technical assistance to support the use of mobility metrics, which include measures of economic success while also focusing on power, autonomy, and being valued in the community.

Initial priorities for Boone County were set during the Upward Mobility Kickoff event, a data walk, held on August 11, 2021. Data was presented based on the Mobility Metrics and included drivers of upward mobility in the categories of Strong and Healthy Families, Opportunities to Learn and Earn, and Supportive Communities. Boone County used local metrics to establish priorities, set targets, and develop the county's Mobility Action Plan. Community stakeholders identified and reached consensus on priorities to begin the strategic action planning.

Shared Language

One aspect of the use of Results-Based Accountability within Boone County's Upward Mobility efforts involves the use of Shared Language. This is a concept which helps make sure everyone has a common understanding of what is being described and discussed.

  • Result Statement is used to describe a condition of well-being for children, adults, families, and communities stated in plain language. It is what we want to see for our community.
  • Outcome, Strategies, and Action Steps are all terms to describe an action, project, or initiative that has a reasoned chance of improving results with different levels of specificity.

Mission Statement

The Upward Mobility project supports actions that give all Boone County children, youth, and adults the power to improve their lives, to be valued and feel like they belong, and to strengthen their economic well-being.

Support for Upward Mobility comes from staff of the Boone County Community Services Department.