October Coffee and Conversation: To the Numbers and Beyond! How is Data Telling YOUR Impact Story?
Thoughts on Data and WHY it’s important to collect it? Large Group Discussion
What comes to mind when you hear the word data?
Qualitative; Spreadsheets; stories; overwhelming; accountability; necessary; impact; missing data; surveys; funding; staff satisfaction; proof; it is happening all the time!
Why is it important to collect data?
Make numbers “sing and dance”
Drives program design and justifies our program’s sustainability
Prove we do violence prevention
Programming offered is aligned to want community wants/needs
Shows we are meeting outcomes
Inform evolution of the program
Youth voice and community informed
Continuous improvement--what are our strengths and challenges--supports identifying barriers
Intentionality on what is collect to tell the full story of impact
Ideas shared by BGCMD & Scholars Unlimited
Registration updates so it’s easy and accessible for families (they use salesforce)
Utilize kid perception data strategies (e.g., dot voting)
Pull reports regularly and share with staff (survey monkey)
Differentiate between audiences (e.g., site staff vs. CEO)
Provide data (numbers) for site staff that align with their goals
Talk to team before setting data goals in grants, etc.
Set goals for all metrics and consistently re-evaluate
Utilize DPS data reports from DAAconnect
Network and learn from peers
Keep your pulse on what is happening nationally when possible (conferences, etc.)
Explain the WHY you are need data to site staff and those who are actually collecting the data
Small Group Break-Out Topics
Internal Data Communication
Explain the “why to site directors/staff for survey completions, etc.
Identity the outcomes with staff
Determine questions to ask WITH staff, kids, clients, etc.? Identify the “who”
Be clear about the why and requirements (e.g., for funding/grants, how often, etc.)
Building professional capacity (CQI process)
How to Collect the Data:
Clear timeline
Get buy-in form staff
Collection options (survey, computer, paper, mail, phone, etc.)
Identify types of questions (open, multiple choice, etc.)
What are reporting requirements and WHO will be the ones reporting and providing information
Improve! Make your actions/data accessible to all
Communication with Families
Survey QR Code
½ Sheets of paper--hand them out at pick up!
Confidential vs. anonymous data: explain CLEARLY how you keep data confidential and/or anonymous.
Get appropriate waivers signed
Have a clear “elevator pitch” when distributing surveys and the “why” you are collecting data and how it will be used---then SHARE the data with them to gain trust
Explain clearly to youth the process of how you de-identify their names (if you do)
Adjust the design of data collection as needed for your population (e.g, unhoused youth, etc.)
Consider who is sending the communication with parents. Who will they respond to? How is the email/text worded, etc. Does it feel individualized?
Consistent, clear, concise messaging
RELATIONSHIPS are key. Know the names of your parents, individualized communication
Systems and Processes
Survey consistency
Fun challenges and vary collection techniques by age
Provide incentives that the youth and families want!
Use Google forms/formstack/survey monkey: way to create system and process that is clear and concise and easy to pull reports
Paper vs. Virtual
Time Test Surveys
