America Forward believes there are a set of principles that are essential to good federal policymaking. From focusing on evidence and outcomes, to encouraging cross-sector approaches, effective policies must embrace innovation while being held accountable for results. We believe federal policies should be measured against the following principles:

• Include the specific goal and intended outcomes of the program and measures needed to ensure that the program is carried out with fidelity to its design
• Are based on evidence indicating that the proposed program is likely to be effective in achieving goals and objectives
• Include, to the maximum extent practicable, competition for funding to avoid the risk of a narrow set of eligible providers being guaranteed funding regardless of performance
• Encourage social innovation to identify better ways of achieving specified objectives, including, where practicable, a mechanism that enables shared learning from innovations
• Encourage cross-sector approaches in support of program objectives
• Include efforts to receive ongoing input from constituents affected by such programs

America Forward is pursuing several strategies to ensure these principles inform an array of federal policies.

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