The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill   is evaluating All Kids Count funded by grants from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

In a five-year study of  All Kids Count Phase I, the evaluation looked at two basic questions: Can childhood  immunization monitoring and follow-up systems be implemented effectively? And, if implemented, can these systems improve the linkage of child populations with primary care services? A final report on the evaluation was published in September 1998, and is available to order on the AKC History page .

In the three-year All Kids  Count Phase II evaluation, The Sheps Center will conduct two major studies of registry systems. The first study will focus on private provider awareness of and participation in immunization registries and the impact of registry participation  on provider practices. Change over time will be assessed, as will the impact of particular registry methods/incentives on provider participation. The second study will examine the use of reminders and recalls by registries, private providers and their helpfulness to parents.

Funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Sheps Center also conducted a cost study using a cohort of Four All Kids Counts I projects selected as representative of various types or sizes of systems. The study examined the costs --- both direct and in-kind efforts --- of planning, establishing and implementing immunization registry systems. The study also assessed the feasibility of conducting a multi-site cost study through the use of a mailed survey. For more information about The Sheps Center's  research projects, go to its web site at: http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/.

Or contact:
Victoria A. Freeman
Phone: (919) 966-6168
Fax: (919) 966-5764
Email: victoria_freeman@unc.edu
 

Monitoring AKC Projects

The All Kids Count National Program office also monitors All Kids Count projects' progress through activities that include:

• biannual project site visits;
• a biannual indicator study that quantifies and tracks projects progress as measured by seven key indicators, including technical infrastructure, program infrastructure and  capacity, registry functions and provider participation and support; and
• a registry profile survey that tracks changes in projects' components, such as methods for accessing the registry and procedures for assuring data quality, and identifies advantages and/or disadvantages associated with various component implementations.

Additionally, specific studies are conducted on issues such as costs of registries. As the projects and the related studies and evaluations progress, lessons learned will be shared through this web site, the All Kids Count quarterly newsletter and other vehicles.

Download the Quantitative Indicator Survey (PDF).