Module 3: Interpreting and Analyzing Data to Profile Youth Populations
Purpose: In this module, you will analyze your indicator data to identify system, policy, and program priorities for youth populations. The data will tell a story – utilize the tools in this section to identify what the data tell you about your population or services. Following identifying the priority areas from your data, you will conduct a resource assessment into those priority areas. You will then use the resource data, while taking into account your community readiness, to identify the top priority areas you would like to address in your community.
Getting Started: You can pick and choose which areas you need below, look through all tools, or start with “Reviewing and Analyzing Data Overview” which will guide you through this module.
Guiding Principles/Best Practices:
- Utilize community knowledge as context to fully understand the story of the data.
- Incorporate the risk and protective factors and the social determinants of help into the lens through which you view your community data to highlight areas where prevention efforts will be more effective.
- Throughout this process, remain aware of the role of culture, race, ethnicity, social norms, and gender as they relate to the quality and interpretation of available community data.
- While it is helpful to analyze the resources and services available to address issues, keep an eye on the systems and policies that influence the needs and challenges in the community as well. If you are able to change policies and systems in these areas, you may eliminate the challenge in the first place.