University of Cincinnati Selected as Independent Evaluator for First ResultsOHIO Project
COLUMBUS - Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced that the University of Cincinnati has been selected to serve as the independent evaluator for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s (FAO) iSee project. The project will be the first to be conducted through the Treasurer’s ResultsOHIO pay for success initiative.
“The ResultsOHIO model allows us to meet age-old challenges with new and innovative solutions – all while protecting taxpayer dollars,” said Treasurer Sprague. “But one of the most critical functions of any pay for success project is the independent evaluator, who ultimately measures a project’s eventual success. We look forward to working with the University of Cincinnati as they measure the iSee project’s results for students in Appalachia.”
The recently enacted state operating budget included legislative approval and a $1.2 million appropriation for the pay for success project. With the goal of increasing vision services to students at Title I schools throughout Appalachian Ohio, FAO will partner with Vision to Learn and the Ohio Optometric Foundation’s iSee program to launch a mobile vision clinic. The clinic will travel to high-need areas across the 32-county region to increase vision services for students and remove barriers to receiving eye exams.
The Treasurer’s office will work with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and its partners to develop and structure the contract, set the performance metrics, and ultimately get the project off the ground. As the independent evaluator, the University of Cincinnati will be tasked with independently verifying whether the project’s performance metrics have been achieved.
“The UC Evaluation Services Center is excited to partner with ResultsOHIO for this inaugural pay for success initiative,” said Sonya Turner, Interim Director for the University of Cincinnati Evaluation Services Center. “We believe this is a great example of how data can inspire positive change and support private/public partnerships.”
ResultsOHIO is a program within the Treasurer’s office that enables policymakers and innovators to pursue pay for success projects aimed at tackling the most pressing social and public health challenges facing Ohio. It protects taxpayer dollars by focusing on bold, new results-based ideas. Public dollars will be used to reimburse project costs if it is proven to deliver real results at its conclusion.
More information on ResultsOHIO and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s feasibility report can be found at http://tos.ohio.gov/resultsohio/.
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Robert Sprague became Ohio’s 49th Treasurer of State on January 14, 2019, bringing to the office his extensive experience working on financial matters in both the public and private sectors. Under Treasurer Sprague’s direction, the office manages the state’s $29 billion investment and $11 billion debt portfolios, collects and deposits all state revenues, and oversees custodial assets.