ETO for CASA Performance Management System

National CASA teamed with Social Solutions to provide a customized Web-based performance management system for CASA programs called Efforts to Outcomes (ETO). National CASA is currently accepting grant applications to cover the cost of adopting the ETO software.

About Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)

In addition to tracking the metrics captured in the old COMET case management system (participant demographics, interactions, case history, etc.), ETO allows programs to focus on efforts, outcomes, and participant progress as part of a performance management approach to CASA work. The base product was designed and developed by former case managers and this hosted solution (no software to install) is supported by human service professionals. National CASA and Social Solutions worked with representatives of multiple state and local programs to design this customized version of the ETO offering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has National CASA moved in this direction? 
State and local CASA program are increasingly being asked by funders for more information about the impact of their efforts. We need more than the simple aggregate numbers of children served and anecdotal stories on the impact of CASA if we are to continue to deliver on our mission. We are excited to be working with Social Solutions, a company that has pioneered this field and provides performance management data to a number of nonprofits, state and federal agencies. National CASA alone does not have the resources to develop the tool and provide a level of training and assistance that is called for by hundreds of programs around the country.

What does this mean for the future of COMET?
We ended all support for COMET in early 2011. We will provide access to legacy documentation for COMET for a limited time, but the software is no longer available for download and we provide no technical assistance for it.

Does Social Solutions offer tech support?
Social Solutions offers comprehensive tech support system for ETO. Customer service is available Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST and Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.  They provide support inquiries by toll free telephone, email, and online chat. Social Solutions offers services beyond technical assistance and training on the software. Social Solutions provides an online community for sharing best practices among customers, performance evaluation consulting and a performance management team that analyzes your data and suggestions on improvement.

Is ETO secure?
Yes, much more secure than software you maintain on your local machine (like COMET required). Social Solutions uses a data center that meets federal government security standards. It is HIPPA-compliant, password-protected, and all interactions are date/time-stamped. One of the many benefits of ETO is the state-of-the-art online security that will allow staff and volunteers to interact with the system from virtually anywhere, at any time, as long as they have access to a computer with a web browser.

Will there be an ETO software licensing fee for local programs? 
Yes, there is a sliding-scale fee based on the number of administrative users. National CASA and Social Solutions continue to customize ETO to meet the common needs of CASA/GAL programs across the US. In order for Social Solutions to provide ongoing technical support, training and technology upgrades, a licensing fee is necessary for each program. We vigorously negotiated with Social Solutions to make the sliding-scale pricing structure affordable. In addition, National CASA will be aiding in reducing costs to programs by paying annual fees to keep the costs to programs even lower.

Is National CASA still offering grants to help with licensing costs?
We have funding to cover license renewals in 2012 and some additional funding for any new programs that sign up for ETO.  Learn how to apply for a grant for ETO.

Will my CASA program be able to further customize ETO?
Yes...with a caveat. We are creating a core ETO solution customized to meet the goals of most CASA/GAL programs. That is what the licensing fee will pay for. A local program may, however, contract with Social Solutions to add further customizations and additional interfaces to track information outside of the core solution we are providing. The costs of those additional modifications would be borne by the program.   

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Rebecca Wagman at Social Solutions: email rwagman@socialsolutions.com or phone (443) 460-3469.