As community response programs transition from pilot initiatives to more sustained public investments, reliable data and evidence-based performance metrics are essential. A clear case for return on investment can help your program justify continued funding and long-term expansion.
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.
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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.
In this article, we identify some of the factors impacting return on investment for local government adoption of evidence-based strategies in law enforcement de-escalation and deflection from incarceration and/or emergency hospitalization, where appropriate.
