Agenda
Introducing Powerful Techniques and Tools
Practical Pathways for Child Welfare System Change
The Need for New Techniques and Tools for Transformation
Leading Systematic, Strategic Innovations
Case Study: Re-Imagining & Transforming the Family Justice System
The Client Sharing the Inspiring Progress in System Transformation
How InsightFormation Adds Value
Award-winning InsightVision software to plan, implement, and monitor strategy and performance
TRAINING
+ TECH +
TOOLS
Industry-leading training
Request eBook & E-Learning Course Pass
Templates, webinars, white papers, resource commons
& more to accelerate implementation
Wiki-based Resource Sharing Hub
“Family justice processes can do more harm than good.”
Initial Focus: Divorce and Family Restructuring
Not incremental improvements: “Becoming Trauma-Informed”
Major System Transformation
2013 Report revealed a need for major changes
Struggling to move from ideas to actions.
Divorce is one of the ACEs
Re-Imagining the Family Justice System in Canada
How Do You Deal with the Complexity!
The Right Tools are Key to Success!
Different tools for different purposes
Many tools are used to address social problems
We need better tools for large-scale strategies—especially for system transformation
Bill Barberg
InsightFormation, Inc.
Michael Quinn Patton
Utilization-Focused Evaluation
Diana Lowe
University of Calgary �Center for Transformation
Transforming Evaluation to Evaluate Strategizing and System Change.
Barbara Carlson
Humphrey School of Public Affairs�University of Minnesota
John M. Bryson
Humphrey School of Public Affairs�University of Minnesota
Transforming systems requires new approaches to evaluation
A two-minute video by Michael Quinn Patton, “the grandfather of evaluation”
Some of MQP’s many books on evaluation
View at: https://bit.ly/IRSPM25-MQP
A growing set of influential books and articles
Published in 2008
The Journey of Learning How to Transform Systems
Winter 2011 -- And a series of follow-on articles, papers, and posts
System Thinking for Social Change
1990
2015
A Practical Guide to Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results
Helpful for thinking about the dynamics of the problems
The Need to Get Below the Surface
The Waters of System Change (FSG)
2018
Helpful, but weak on implementation.
The Geels Framework for Socio-Technical Transitions
Struggling to Manage the Increasing Information
“We were literally using paper, scissors, markers & glue to illustrate how the work that was happening was contributing to the overall change.”
Diana Lowe, KC - RFJS Co-Lead
Two Integrated Models for Strategy Implementation
OMTA Model
Objectives
Measures
Targets
Actions
A powerful upgrade from SMART Objectives
Strategy Mapping
Upgrading from a Theory of Change to
A Theory of Transformation
The Books that Define Strategy Management
2000
2003
2006
Strategic �Management
Organizational�Alignment
2008
Execution
Harvard Business Review Articles
“The Balanced Scorecard—Measures that Drive Performance” � Jan-Feb 1992
“Putting the Balanced Scorecard to Work”� Sept-Oct 1993
Core Books of the Strategy Management Field
1992
1996
Measurement & Reporting
Strategic�Communication
A Rich History of Research Supporting these Techniques
Strategy Maps: A Story of Intentional Change
Outcome Objectives
Strategy Objectives
Asset & Capacity Development Objectives
The “Ends”
The “Means”
The “Enablers”
Grow a Strong Coalition to Address the Opioid Crisis
Enables multiple Objectives Above
Expand Drug Take-Back and Disposal Programs
Reduce Misuse of Opioids
Reduce Prescription of Opioids
Decrease Access to Prescription Opioids for Misuse
Reasonable
Cause & Effect Logic
A History of Achieving Breakthrough Results
Emphasized Techniques that InsightFormation has Refined
One of the Key Opportunities (and an Obstacle)
One of the Obstacles
Pages 10-11
Strategy Maps as a Theory of Transformation
View at: https://bit.ly/IRSPM25-MQP2
The evolution from isolated program-focused evaluation to new practices that are appropriate for large-scale system change.
“A Theory of Transformation involves multiple Theories of Change.”
“I really appreciate the work on strategy mapping because it is inherently system thinking.”
The Need and the Tools Coming Together
“This is what we need!”
Re-Imagining the Family Justice System in Alberta
Diana Lowe, KC
Key Leaders for the Re-Imagining the Family Justice System Initiative
Passionate, recently retired attorneys
A judge who saw the need for change
Community organizations working on family justice
Funders who cared about Brain Science, ACEs & Trauma
They engaged the provincial and national associations for lawyers
Teamed up with a similar coalition in British Columbia
The Geels Framework for Socio-Technical Transitions
A 10-Year Strategy to Transform the Family Justice System
Jan 2021
Expand participation & increase the collaboration capacity of those working on family justice system transformation
Increase the integration of Indigenous perspectives & the role of Indigenous communities in family justice transformation
Increase & diversify the resources (human, funding & technology) for transforming the family justice system
Increase capacity for working at a systems level & creating the conditions for transformation
Increase capacity for developmental & transformational evaluation to inform family justice system transformation
OUTCOME
STRATEGY
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Justice Policy & Programs to Reduce Toxic Stress, Strengthen Skills & Support Families
Innovations to Achieve Family Well-Being
A Family Well-Being Paradigm Shift Based on Brain Science
Re-Imagining the Family Justice System
Finding Allies with Funding
https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/
Learn more about the Meta Settlement funding later in this session.
Reimaging the Family Justice System
Allowing for EMERGENCE
The process starts with a frameworks but without knowing the details
Building on Your Strengths and Assets
The value of “System Orchestration”
SSIR Supplement on System Orchestration
To accelerate social innovators’ impact, we need to double down on building and growing more collaborative ecosystems to drive collective action over time.
In a world of increasing complexity and polarization, system orchestrators drive collective action to achieve outsized impact.
If you want to drive equitable systems change, investing in system orchestrators is among the highest-leverage investments that the philanthropic sector can make.
Who Scored More Career Points Than This Guy?
32,292 Points
Michael Jordan
Who Is This Guy?
36,928 Points
Karl Malone
The Power of Teamwork!
36,928 Points
15,806 Assists
9x NBA Assists Leader
Karl Malone
John Stockton
Recruiting Partners to Provide Assists
System Orchestration of “Assists”
First Breakout Session (6 Topics)
Discuss Community “Drivers”
Discuss existing efforts
Pick 3 or 4 key “driver Objectives” to focus on.
Picking Three “Driver Objectives”
Many missed opportunities to help women who are misusing opioids think about family planning and birth control
Big need to educate and counsel women with highest risks
Barriers to women getting and properly using contraception options
Especially LARCs (IUDs)
Reduce Pregnancies
Increase Access to Contraception
Increase Access to Family Planning & Preconception Care for Women who Use Opioids
Improve Identification of Women At Risk of Having a NAS Baby
Especially LARCs (IUDs)
CCA Secret Sauce: Facilitating “Assists”
Each breakout group sends up a representative to share the “Driver Objectives.
We asked if any participants in the workshop either could directly help accomplish those Objectives or if they could make an introduction to an organization that could.
Rallying “Assists” to Help Accomplish an Objective
Four straight years of declining sales.
Poor “Performance” of the Farmers Market
Lots of blame and excuses.
Risk of shutting the program down.
Agenda
Introducing Powerful Techniques and Tools
Practical Pathways for Child Welfare System Change
The Need for New Techniques and Tools for Transformation
Leading Systematic, Strategic Innovations
Case Study: Re-Imagining & Transforming the Family Justice System
Inspiring Progress in System Transformation
Re-Imagining the Family Justice System
Where do you do the Innovations?
A Place to Demonstrate & Refine Innovations
Since 2020, the RFJS has been working in the community of Grande Prairie – exploring new pathways in family matters through a community-wide initiative in the city and surrounding communities
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Featured in Peer-Reviewed Article by Top Experts
Use Strategy Maps to Clarify & Communicate
The Best Collective Thinking
of Steering Committee Leaders
Staff and Community Partners
© 2016 All Rights Reserved by InsightFormation, Inc.
Strategy Maps & Scorecards Promote Communication
Effectively engage community organizations & individuals for input and engagement
Steering Committee Leaders
© 2024 All Rights Reserved by InsightFormation, Inc.
Staff and Community Partners
The Growing Impact of the RFJS Movement
The initial work with InsightFormation grew into the TFJS Collaborative in British Columbia
The work of the RFJS movement is a major part of the CIAJ Conference
Grande Prairie - Reforming the Family Justice System
Integrate the Approach to Family Justice Across Sectors
May 2024
Expand participation & increase the collaboration capacity of those working on family justice system transformation
Increase family justice sector education in brain science & understanding about the impact of trauma
Increase public awareness of the impact of toxic stress and resilience on family well-being
Innovate ways to encourage or require non-adversarial processes in the family justice system
Innovate ways to identify evolving family needs & make appropriate referrals
Justice Policy & Programs to Reduce Toxic Stress, Strengthen Skills & Support Families
Innovations to Achieve Family Well-Being
Align justice sector policies & programs with the family well-being goal
Promote a holistic perspective to address all family needs – social, relationship, parenting, financial & legal
Increase the use of non-adversarial processes in the family justice system
Innovate ways that empower families to improve life, relationship, communication & conflict skills to reduce harms
Innovate & coordinate accessible cross-sector supports for families
Innovate justice system integration with community-level services for families
A Family Well-Being Paradigm Shift Based on Brain Science
Develop more justice sector policies & programs to link families to supports they need to further family well-being
Take an integrated cross-sectoral approach to policy & action
Integrate justice & cross-sector community supports for families
Innovate ways to enhance child & youth resilience
Increase the integration of Indigenous perspectives & the role of Indigenous communities in family justice transformation
Increase & diversify the resources (human, funding & technology) for transforming the family justice system
Increase capacity for working at a systems level & creating the conditions for transformation
Increase capacity for developmental & transformational evaluation to inform family justice system transformation
Advance HOPE (Health Outcomes Of Positive Experiences)
Increased Intergenerational Health & Well-Being
Across The Life Span For ALL
Reduce Toxic Stress
Strengthen Core Life Skills, including Capacity to Manage Conflict & Stress
Strengthen the Support for Families Experiencing Family Justice Issues
Reduce Personal, Justice Sector, Economic & Social Costs
Transform the Family Justice System
by Focusing on Achieving Family Well-Being
OUTCOME
STRATEGY
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Innovate ways to encourage or require non-adversarial processes in the family justice system
Separation, divorce and family restructuring
Family & Domestic Violence Prevention
Build a model for using Restorative Approaches in DV cases
RA = Restorative Approaches DV = Domestic Violence FJS = Family Justice System CPS = Child Protection Services
King’s Bench Court prototype (Pilot)
Increase family justice sector education in brain science & understanding about the impact of trauma
Denmark Model
Innovations to Achieve Family Well-Being
A Family Well-Being Paradigm Shift Based on Brain Science
Implement New Child Welfare System Prototypes
Child�Protection
RA = Restorative Approaches DV = Domestic Violence FJS = Family Justice System CPS = Child Protection Services
Growing Momentum for Strategy Mapping
January 2023
Features the RFJS case study
Busy People Need the Right Tools
Most powerful of the strategy mapping software pkgs. reviewed for purposes of strategy implementation
From the Court of King’s Bench Website
Progress Update in March, 2025
The Establishment of the Centre for Transformation
Innovate ways to encourage or require non-adversarial processes in the family justice system
Separation, divorce and family restructuring
Family & Domestic Violence Prevention
Build a model for using Restorative Approaches in DV cases
RA = Restorative Approaches DV = Domestic Violence FJS = Family Justice System CPS = Child Protection Services
King’s Bench Court prototype (Pilot)
Increase family justice sector education in brain science & understanding about the impact of trauma
Denmark Model
Innovations to Achieve Family Well-Being
A Family Well-Being Paradigm Shift Based on Brain Science
Implement New Child Welfare System Prototypes
Child�Protection
Innovate ways to identify evolving family needs & make appropriate referrals
PGO = Permanent Guardianship Orders DV = Domestic Violence FJS = Family Justice System CPS = Child Protection Services
Increase family justice sector education in brain science & understanding about the impact of trauma
Innovations to Achieve Family Well-Being
A Family Well-Being Paradigm Shift Based on Brain Science
Implement New Child Welfare System Prototypes
Child�Welfare
Establish safe referral alternatives to contacting Children’s Services
Establish arrest diversion processes for crimes of desperation
Strengthen the CONTACT Processes and Reach
Engage with vulnerable families via shelters and food shelves
Change law enforcement practices for DV (no-contact, child endangerment, etc.)
Work with Children’s Services to choose supporting families over PGO, increase restorative practices, less issuing no-contact, etc.
Objective: Establish safe referral alternatives to Children’s Services
A key part of system change is to provide ways for people who might normally feel they should (or are required to) contact Children’s Services because of a concern they notice that is likely a symptom of poverty. While there may be a long-term strategy to dramatically change mandatory reporting requirements, both short-term and long-term practices can be improved by providing more opportunities to connect families to supports in ways that the power to take their children is not a threat.
Objective Description:
Develop Statements that show a gap between the current state and the desired state.
Current State (2024) |
a. If a teacher sees a child who has some visible unmet needs (e.g. same clothes for a few days), their only option is to report them to Children’s Services, and that could start a process the leads to the children being taken. |
b. A pregnant woman in a high-risk scenario is rarely referred to the supports when she will have the baby. |
c. |
d |
e.� |
Desired State (2026) |
a. Instead of doing nothing (or doing mandatory reporting to Children’s Services), the teacher would be able to refer the parent to supports that only exist to help and don’t have the power to take their kids. This can be done before issues are so serious that mandatory reporting is required. |
b. There are established referral pathways for pregnant women to get connected with supports before they have the baby. |
c. |
d. |
e, |
Build out and discuss the desired change– the “From-To Gap”
Why Strategy Mapping?
A Shared, Free Resource for SM@S / CSE
A specialized, free wiki built on the same platform as Wikipedia®
The ACEs & Resilience Resource Commons for Communities
The ACEs & Resilience Resource Commons for Communities
The ACEs & Resilience Resource Commons for Communities
The ACEs & Resilience Resource Commons for Communities
The ACEs & Resilience Resource Commons for Communities
Imagine:
One group working on childcare; another working on positive recreational opportunities, another on recovery another working on building job skills, and so on
2018 Health System Transformation Award
The Health System Transformation Award “recognizes an individual, organization or community health coalition/collaborative that has demonstrated a breakthrough model that achieves better health outcomes, reduces inequities, promotes a culture of health—and is adaptable in other settings.“
Strategy Management-at-Scale (SM@S) – 2024
Features 4 InsightFormation case studies
Growing Recognition of Strategy Management-at-Scale
Features 4 of Bill’s consulting clients
Six Hours of High-Value Content
-- a bargain at $95
Bill Barberg
INSTRUCTORS
www.ImprovePopHealth.org/webinar-series
Carefully Designed Interactive Courses
Michael Quinn Patton
David Peter Stroh
John M. Bryson
Email bill.barberg@improvepophealth.org or message me on LinkedIn and I’ll email you a
100% discount link.
Recording of a Detailed Webinar
Starting Point of a Strategy Map (from Restore Hope)
Tapping into the Meta Settlement Funding Opportunity
Settlement agreed to in August 2026
Key Overlap with Child Welfare System Change
Free Webinar on Thursday, November 19 at 1:00 PM CT
Contact Information
Bill Barberg �President & Founder
Access the resources mentioned at:
https://www.insightformation.com/gg2026