Tracking Portfolio Presentation

What are tracking portfolios?

Tracking portfolios are investment tools to monitor and evaluate progress in target program areas. Originating from the field of finance, tracking portfolios provide a strategic focus for organizations to manage multiple grants, achieve program goals, and improve the process and outcome of program activities (Urahn, 1999).

The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) uses tracking portfolios in its management and oversight of awarded grants and staff activities. Use of tracking portfolios in 12 areas of emphasis enables DDPC to accomplish reliable performance assessment, effective strategic planning, and valid grant evaluation. Twelve areas of emphasis come from the DDPC five-year (2007-2011) state plan, which provides goals and objectives for a desired system of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. We began our work on these tracking portfolios in October of 2006 and will continue through September of 2011.

What tracking portfolios is DDPC working on?

The twelve DDPC tracking portfolios, alphabetically, are:

• Advocacy and Leadership
• Children’s Services
• Community Participation
• Emerging Issues and Community Education
• Employment
• Health
• Housing
• Protective and Preventive Services
• Self-Determination
• Transportation
• Underserved Populations
• Workforce

Each area of emphasis has a general goal and specific objectives to achieve desired outcomes.

To find out more, investigate the links above or click on the menu items under the Tracking Portfolios Home button.