Universal Human Services Data Systems Mergers Often Fail — Here's Why Targeted Interagency Data Sharing Works

- Reading time: 4 minutes

share-2482016 (1).jpg  

When managing complex interagency collaborations, some pursue a vision of a universal data systems merger, a single platform that links law enforcement, justice, health, and human service data systems into one universal system. This model may appeal to those seeking to reduce or eliminate data entry and duplication, and to streamline communications. Yet, in practice, universal human services data systems integrations often fail to launch and fail to keep promises. Here’s why.

Read more

Hiring a Crisis Clinician? Considerations for Community Response

- Reading time: 4 minutes

The integration of behavioral health clinicians and social service workers into community response roles has become a critical component of public safety innovation. While hiring the right treatment team is essential, also important—and often overlooked—are additional considerations for finding the right data and information systems needed to support the work.

Read more

Promising solutions in effective data monitoring for law enforcement behavioral health crisis response

- Reading time: 2 minutes

Tracking the law enforcement response to mental health crises using standardized data fields is crucial improve the hidden costs associated with crisis and in supporting transformative research and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions. Robust methods for measuring and monitoring law enforcement response often involve a combination of data collected in response to 9-1-1 calls for service, specialized field-based performance tracking, and program evaluation. General industry guidance emphasizes the importance of maintaining clearly defined and standardized data collection protocol.

Read more

Community Response Solutions for Opioid Settlement Funds

- Reading time: 9 minutes

group-4871145_1280 (1).jpg

To effectively monitor, evaluate, and continuously improve local opioid crisis response efforts, cities and counties should implement a coordinated strategy for the systematic collection, integration, and use of data. This article outlines key data domains, common data sources and analytical strategies that will support evidence-based decision-making and help to design more informed strategies for community opioid response.

Read more