NCCD has a long history of promoting the use of data to support decision making in juvenile justice, corrections, child welfare, and education. Our “manage by data” efforts help agencies use data on a routine basis to support quality assurance functions, program implementation, and ongoing operations monitoring. We combine research and statistical expertise with extensive field experience to assist agency stakeholders in efforts to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
NCCD offers the following suite of complementary data analysis services and tools:
SafeMeasures®
SafeMeasures is an analysis service that helps agency staff help their clients. SafeMeasures supports ongoing accountability and quality improvement processes through skilled and responsive analysis of agency data. This provides immediate and powerful tools to see, at a glance, where success is happening and what needs attention.
SafeMeasures analysis and data reports provide current, easy-to-understand information about the practices and standards that lead to positive outcomes. These reports are based on agency administrative data, which are transformed into clear charts, tables, and lists. Reports are updated daily, reflect “real-time” case processes, and provide a tool for supervisors and line staff to manage compliance with local case practice standards, and state and federal outcome goals. Reports and are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, via a secure website.
Management Reports
Management reports provide agency managers and administrators with a summary of agency activity over a given time period. These reports provide a comprehensive description of client populations served and agency decisions at critical points throughout the service delivery system. Reports are based on agency administrative data, which are compiled, summarized, and synthesized into easy-to-understand charts and graphs, accompanied by clear descriptions. These reports help agencies monitor program implementation and ongoing fidelity, identify system issues, examine outcome measures, formulate policy and procedure recommendations, and provide useful information for policy, program, and budget decision making. Reports are produced quarterly, semi-annually, or annually in an electronic format that agencies can share with other stakeholders.
Ad Hoc Analytics
Ad hoc analytics is a data analysis and report writing service that provides customized reports to answer critical management questions posed by agency managers. The ideal complement to SafeMeasures and management reports, our ad hoc analytics service allows an agency to respond quickly to “one-time” data reporting needs such as requests from oversight boards, media, or agency heads. Reports are based on agency administrative data and generally are produced in 24 hours to 10 days. Results are sent via email to an agency contact. Our ad hoc analysts are trained in analysis and research methods, and can also assist local research personnel in identifying study cohorts, outcomes of interest, and outcome rates. Because ad hoc analysts are so familiar with agency data, engaging this service is like having another analyst on staff.
