As VPP's investment partners build their infrastructure and become more effective in what they do and how they do it, they are better positioned to meet the challenges of their markets. Through their early successes, the nonprofit partners are not only serving more children than before, they are also serving more children better. And while these nonprofits now serve more children at many more places as well as expanding to new communities, the greater significance goes beyond "counts," and instead lies in how these organizations are improving the quality and delivery of their programs. They are placing greater emphasis on increasing how well they improve life outcomes for children-and some are already showing real gains in higher graduation rates and improved test scores. In short, VPP's partners are focused on long-term institution building, rather than just short-term results.

Increased number of children and youth served

Investment partners currently serve 44,000 children in great need, and are forecast to serve in excess of 80,000 by 2010.

More places and increased coverage

Children need safe places where they can learn and thrive and feel secure, and the investment partners have been continually expanding their number of new places in the region, and increasing their coverage within existing locations where children are served. In fact, partners now serve children at 11 more places (a 25% increase) as well as expanded the delivery of their services in 12 new neighborhoods to meet the needs of changing demographics.

More children served better through a focus on outcomes

Even more important that the sheer increase in numbers is that VPP's nonprofit partners are placing greater emphasis on how programs and services improve life outcomes for children. Some already show real gains-in higher graduation rates, increased reading levels-with substantial improvements evident in better programs, curriculums, and services. Other investment partners have a much greater focus on outcomes and are implementing systems to assess their performance in improving the lives of children. And, several still have much of this work yet to accomplish.

The importance of this change by the investment partners is a critical one, that cannot be underestimated in a field that places far too much value on "counts and touches," where the real challenge lies in whether or not there has been actual lasting improvement for the children. Ultimately, VPP believes this will be one of the real indicators of "success."