The Six Conditions Framework as an Analytical Tool for Collective Impact Initiatives in Child Care System Reform

Abstract

Reforming a national childcare system is a complex social problem that requires systemic change, as its causes are deeply rooted and the actors involved are highly interdependent. Traditional approaches often address only visible symptoms and are insufficient for creating lasting, transformative results. While the Collective Impact model (Kania & Kramer, 2011) provides a structured approach for multi-sector collaboration through its five key conditions, it requires a deeper analytical lens to examine the full scope of systemic change. To address this challenge, it is suggested to use the Six Conditions for Systems Change framework (Kania, Kramer & Senge, 2018) as a tool to analyze the depth and quality of transformations occurring within a Collective Impact initiative. The framework examines change across three levels: explicit (policies, practices, resources), semi-explicit (relationships, power dynamics), and implicit (mental models). The research analyzes outcome level monitoring data from the child care system strengthening initiative in the Republic of Moldova, which supports the transition from institutional to family-based child care. Data was collected using the Outcome Harvesting methodology, which identifies specific changes, traces the initiative's contribution to them, and validates findings with external sources. Preliminary analysis reveals changes at all three systemic levels. At the explicit level, new national policies and budget allocations for family-type services were documented. At the semi-explicit level, strengthened partnerships between local authorities and NGOs were observed, alongside shifts in decision-making dynamics. At the implicit level, early evidence suggests gradual changes in professional mindsets regarding the role of family care versus institutional placement. The Six Conditions framework provides a practical and holistic tool for evaluating complex social reforms. UDC: 347.645:369.742; JEL: Z13