Performance contracting in the human services: An analysis of selected state practices

The author addresses performance contracting, currently a major topic withi n the human services. Performance contracting is defined and distinguished from incentive contracting. A taxonomy of performance measures/standards us ed in human services performance contracting is introduced. Performance con tracting is placed in the context of historical, as well as contemporary, f orces promoting accountability in human services contracting. The performan ce contracting activities of three state human service agencies (Florida, M aine, and Kansas) are reviewed, compared, and contrasted. Some observations and speculations are offered about the experiences of the three states rev iewed, about where performance contracting may be headed, and potential imp lications for human services administration, social work education, and cli ents themselves.