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Engaging Stakeholders Home
One Step at a Time: Thein Benefits Visiting Data Integration Efforts
of an Incremental Approach to the Maggie Kane and Van-Kim Lin Integration of Home Visiting and Introduction Other Early Childhood Data Home visiting is an important component of the early childhood (EC) landscape,1 but home visiting data are often not part of Kate Steber and Dale Epstein the larger early childhood data integration efforts that states undertake. Building support for home visiting data integration and coordinating efforts across sectors, systems, and programs require Introduction the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders.
The State-level Home Visiting Integration with Early Childhood Data Systems (SHINE) project aims to support states in integrating theirState-level home visiting data The Home with other early childhood Visiting Integration data.Early SHINE is a project of with Childhood the Early Childhood Data Data Systems Collaborative (ECDC), (SHINE) project aims which focuses on states the development to support in integrating and use of coordinated their home visiting datastate earlyother care and education data with early childhood systems. This resource was data. SHINE is a project of funded byChildhood the Heising-Simons the Early Data Foundation. Collaborative (ECDC), which
Home visiting presents is an important component of the early childhood This resource an approach for engaging a diverse group (EC) landscape.1 However, states to prioritize home of stakeholders—from families to often homefail visiting model developers visiting data when their early childhood integrated to researchers and developing legislators—when creating a process to integrate home visiting2 Home data with other early childhood data systems (ECIDS). visiting represents a rangedata. of It describes steps for: services, models, and programs, each with different data requirements, so integrating the data can be challenging. Often, 1. Identifying relevant stakeholders. home visiting data is disconnected across different models, as well as from other EC data.ofTo address this data 2. Determining the types information tochallenge share withtoand solicit integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating from stakeholders. one aspect of home visiting data at a time, rather than tackling 3. when to engage to stakeholders in the process. it allChoosing at once. The advantages taking an incremental approach when integrating home visiting data with other EC data include This resource will be particularly valuable to those who lead the following: focuses on the development efforts to connect home visiting data with other early childhood and use of coordinated state data. These data integration leaders may be state-level data • The process of integrating home visiting into anofECIDS managers or individuals who have taken the data ownership linking data across early childhood early care and education data can be managed more easily when it focuses on one piece at a programs. systems. This resource was time, such as a specific model or geographic area. funded by the Heising-Simons Stakeholder engagement is essential to successfully build integrated data systems. Leaders should Foundation. • States can treat the incremental integration as a pilottheir phase, engage stakeholders early in the process and maintain engagement throughout in order to: learn from any challenges or policy barriers that arise, and apply • Foster a sense of inclusion byup keeping stakeholders informed as data. the system changes. that knowledge when scaling to integrate other home visiting
Build support and knowledge by broadening the range of individuals and organizations familiar Incremental integration allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data with the system. integration. By showing why integrating home visiting data with other EC data is important and • Inform stakeholders goals the work,states whichcan canbuild facilitate communication and help to worth the investmentofofthe time andof resources, buy-in from stakeholders. ensure the data collected meet the needs of the system. The purpose of this resource is to provide states with examples of various ways to integrate their • Give stakeholders the opportunity to inform the goals and direction of the system. home visiting data into their ECIDS over time. This resource will highlight five examples of how states • for athis diversity of perspectives soof that the visiting system meets canAllow approach incremental integration home data. the needs of multiple users. • •
Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with most programs targeting children from birth to age 5. The early childhood system is a set of policies, approaches, and services that are delivered through existing systems, such as education (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the cost of child care). 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. 1Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with most programs targeting children from An ECIDS is a 5. data system combines, secures, reports information from a variety early learning services and programs, birth to age The earlythat childhood system is and a set of policies, approaches, and of services that are delivered through including existing data related to children families served by the program, members the workforce, and the characteristics of the program to or offset services. Forcost more systems, such as and education (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g.,of immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies the of information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/. 1
child care).
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Step 1. Identify key stakeholders for data integration.
One Step at a Time: The Benefits of an Incremental Approach to the Integration of Home Visiting and Other Early Childhood Data
For data integration leaders, the first step toward engaging stakeholders in data integration efforts is to identify the specific individuals and organizations that have various roles as stakeholders. With respect to integration of home visiting data into ECIDS, there are three stakeholder roles: •
Data providers: Individuals providing data that will be integrated
•
Data collectors and managers: Individuals and organizations collecting, managing, storing, and overseeing integrated data
•
Data users: Individuals and organizations that will use the data for program, research, or policy purposes
Kate Steber and Dale An individual or organization mayEpstein have multiple roles, and their role(s) may also change over time. For example, a home visiting program that collects data on their participants to include in the integrated system would be considered a data collector and manager. The program may also use the data from Introduction an integrated system to understand the landscape of home visiting services operating in their area to inform improvements to their program or to outreach to target populations, making them also Home visiting is an important component of tailor the early childhood 1 data users. To identify key home visiting stakeholders that may have one orState-level more of these roles, data (EC) landscape. However, states often fail to prioritize home The Home 2 : integration leaders should consider the following questions visiting data when developing their early childhood integrated Visiting Integration
data systems (ECIDS).2 Home visiting represents a range of with Early • Who is regularly involved in discussions about home visiting in the state? WhoChildhood is involved in services, models, and programs, each with different data Data Systems discussions about data collection, management, and security? requirements, so integrating the data can be challenging. Often, (SHINE) project aims • Who is affected home visiting but isdifferent not usually involved about it? For example, home visiting data isbydisconnected across models, as in discussions to support states in integrating there in home visiting data integration health providers wellisas frominterest other EC data. To address this challengeamong to dataschool administrators their home or visiting data serving individuals who receive home visiting services? Does the integration of home visiting integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating with other early childhooddata reflect the perspectives of families, as data providers? one aspect of home visiting data at a time, rather than tackling data. SHINE is a project of
it allWhere at once. Thedata advantages to taking anlearn incremental approach thatthe Early Data • might integration leaders about stakeholders have not Childhood been previously when integrating home visiting data with other EC data include Collaborative (ECDC), which engaged? the following: focuses on the development • Do the stakeholders represent the diversity of the home visiting field (in terms of their roles, and use of coordinated state cultural identities, geographic locations, etc.)? • experiences, The process of integrating home visiting data into an ECIDS early care and education data canthe be managed more easily when it focuses on one piece visiting at a • Do stakeholders represent people at all levels of home (i.e., from This thoseresource who provide systems. was or time, such as a specific model or geographic area. systems)? receive services to those who oversee home visiting funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation. • States can treat the incremental a pilot phase, The table below provides examples integration of the rolesas that different stakeholders may play in data learn from any challenges or policy barriers that arise, and apply integration. that knowledge when scaling up to integrate other home visiting data. Role
Potential Stakeholders
Incremental integration allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data Caregivers may provide home data on the outcomes they achieve while is participating in integration. By showing why integrating visiting data with other EC data important and home visiting. They may also provide data on the outcomes their children or family worth the investment of time and resources, states can build buy-in from stakeholders. Data providers
•
experiences. Home visitors may provide data on the activities they are conducting
with families, the number of visits conduct, and other program factors. their The purpose of this resource is to provide states with they examples of various ways to integrate home visiting data into their ECIDS over time. This resource will highlight five examples how states Parents may collect data on their children’s development, participation of in activities, can approach home visiting data. progress. Home visitors collect data and otherintegration indicators ofofhome visiting program Data collectorsthis andincremental managers
from the families they work with. Home visiting model developers and program
Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with programs targeting children from birth to age 5. The managers manage the data collected by most home visitors. early childhood system is a set of policies, approaches, and services that are delivered through existing systems, such as education (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the cost of child care). 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. An ECIDS is a data system that combines, secures, and reports information from a variety of early learning services and programs, including data related to children and families served by the program, members of the workforce, and the characteristics of the program or services. For more information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/. 1
2
https://www.bsr.org/reports/BSR_Stakeholder_Engagement_Stakeholder_Mapping.final.pdf
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One Step at a Time: The Benefits of an Incremental Approach to the Integration of Home Visiting and Other Early Childhood Data Role
Data users
Potential Stakeholders
Model developers may use data to understand outcomes within their program and to understand the broader landscape of home visiting interventions in the region in which they work. Leaders in other early childhood sectors may use data to under stand the services that families they work with may be receiving and better coor dinate services. Researchers use data to explore questions at the local, state, and national level across early childhood sectors. Legislators and policymakers may use data to examine overlap in services, large-scale family outcomes, and other topics that can help them prioritize funding effectively and efficiently.
Kate Steber and Dale Epstein Step 2. Determine what information to share with and solicit from each Introduction group of stakeholders. Homeintegration visiting is an important of the early childhood Data leaders’ next component step is to determine what type of information could be shared with 1 (EC) landscape. However, states often fail to prioritize home State-level Homeas each stakeholder group. Stakeholders need to understand the goals of The the data integration, visiting data when developing their early childhood integrated Visiting Integration well as the benefits and challenges the effort might lead to for themselves or their organization. 2 data understanding systems (ECIDS). visiting representssupport a rangefor of building the with Earlyand Childhood This will Home help build stakeholders’ system for continued services, models, programs, each with different data Data Systems maintenance and and collection of data. Additional information that stakeholders need to know varies requirements, integrating the data canintegration be challenging. Often, (SHINE) project aims depending on so their role in relation to the system and their level of involvement in shaping home visiting data is disconnected across different models, as to support in integrating it. The questions below are not exhaustive but provide a starting point for thinkingstates through important well asto from other EC data. address thisinchallenge to data their home visiting data topics communicate withTo stakeholders different roles. integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating with other early childhood one aspect of home visiting data at a time, rather than tackling Data providers data. SHINE is a project of it all at once. The advantages to taking an incremental approach the Early Childhood Data Data may be interested in knowing what protections they and their(ECDC), data willwhich receive, whenproviders integrating home visiting data with other EC privacy data include Collaborative as well as what access they will have to the data, such as to reports created using the data after it has the following: focuses on the development been collected. In addition, they may want to know whether they will have a role in determining how and use of coordinated state • The of integrating data an The ECIDS the dataprocess will be used, and if so,home whatvisiting that role willinto entail. following questions early care are andimportant educationto data can be managed more easily when it focuses on one piece at a consider when engaging data providers: systems. This resource was time, such as a specific model or geographic area. funded by information the Heising-Simons • Data protection: Who will have access to the data? What types of identifying (e.g., zip Foundation. • codes, States can treat the incremental integration as How a pilot phase, household income) will be accessible? will data be secured? learn from any challenges or policy barriers that arise, and apply Data provider access: Will data beother able to access the data that knowledge when scaling up providers to integrate home visiting data.collected (e.g., via a public online database, via a private database)? Will the data be used to create public reports that data • providers Incremental integration can access? allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data integration. By showing why integrating home visiting data with other EC data is important and • Data roles: Will dataand providers give states input on the data are used (e.g., participating in worthprovider the investment of time resources, canhow build buy-in from stakeholders. advisory groups, attending public meetings to discuss reports)? In what format and how often will Thetheir purpose of thisbe resource is to provide states with examples of various ways to integrate their feedback collected? home visiting data into their ECIDS over time. This resource will highlight five examples of how states Data collectors and managers can approach this incremental integration of home visiting data. •
Data collectors and managers may be most interested in understanding how the data and systems 1 Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with most programs targeting children from birth to age 5. The they oversee willisfit into the data integration process. For example, they may want toeducation learn how early childhood system a set of policies, approaches, and services that are delivered through existing systems, such as (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the such cost of as childgathering care). data integration may affect their day-to-day functions, data or obtaining consent. 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. They may want to know whether and how state leaders plan to involve them in ongoing data Retrieved fromalso https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. An ECIDS is a data system that following combines, secures, and reports from to a variety of earlywhen learningengaging services and programs, including data integration work. The questions areinformation important consider data collectors related to children and families served by the program, members of the workforce, and the characteristics of the program or services. For more and managers: information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/. ecedata.org ecedata.org
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Informed consent: Who will be consenting to provide data (e.g., caregivers, children, programs, or models)? What barriers might data collectors encounter when asking for consent (e.g., language barriers, challenges explaining terminology in plain language)? What power dynamics may influence whether families feel they have the option not to consent (e.g., social or community dynamics, fear of institutions)? What training is required to ensure informed consent?
•
Collecting high-quality data: Do current data collection systems align with the database that will be created for integrated data? How might data need to be modified or standardized to facilitate data integration? What training might data collectors need to successfully collect high-quality data?
One Step at a Time: The Benefits of an Incremental Approach to the Integration of Home Visiting and Other Early Childhood Data
Data collector and manager roles: Will data collectors and managers be consulted about how to address challenges to Dale data collection or management? Will they have the opportunity to provide Kate Steber and Epstein input on the data collection process to inform modifications?
•
Data users Introduction Data may interested in learning about types of data and reports that may be Homeusers visiting isbe an most important component of the earlythe childhood 1 available once data are integrated. While data users may already The know how they Home want to use (EC) landscape. However, states often failsome to prioritize home State-level the data, others may not know.their Consequently, it is important to share information about how different visiting data when developing early childhood integrated Visiting Integration data user stakeholder benefit from using integrated data so thatEarly theyChildhood can consider how systems (ECIDS).2groups Home may visiting represents a range of with they want to engage with the process. Sharing information about how data users can services, models, and programs, each with different data Data Systems advocate for or support integration can be useful for creating support within a community, especially if aims data can be requirements, so integrating the data can be challenging. Often, (SHINE) project provided to communities served byacross home visiting. following are important tointegrating consider home visiting data is disconnected differentThe models, as questions to support states in when data well asengaging from other ECusers: data. To address this challenge to data their home visiting data integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating with other early childhood • use: of data available how will it be linked? Will data users have oneData aspect ofWhat hometype visiting datawill at abe time, ratherand than tackling data. SHINE is a project of to a codebook or data dictionary of integrated data along with a manual for how to use the it allaccess at once. The advantages to taking an incremental approach the Early Childhood Data integrated data? when integrating home visiting data with other EC data include Collaborative (ECDC), which • be on leveraged to build the Supporting following: data integration: How can data from the integration process focuses the development support for home visiting or other early childhood programs? How can inform or support andthe usedata of coordinated state • different The process of integrating homeand visiting data into ECIDS stakeholders’ priorities activities (e.g.,an researchers, state officials, policymakers, early early care and education data can be managed more easily when it focuses on one piece at a childhood practitioners)? systems. This resource was time, such as a specific model or geographic area. by the Heising-Simons • Giving back to the community: How can the integrated data lead tofunded actionable steps to Foundation. the community? How might integrated data phase, inform services that data users provide • improve States can treat the incremental integration as a pilot
to communities? For data or users who typically have few interactions with communities (e.g., learn from any challenges policy barriers that arise, and apply researchers, policymakers), how might the data facilitate their ability that knowledge when scaling up to integrate other home visiting data. to connect with communities in new or deeper ways? • Incremental integration allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data • Data user roles: How canwhy the integrating expertise provided by data users beother leveraged to inform the data integration. By showing home visiting data with EC data is important and integration process? Do the data users engaged in the process represent a variety of roles (e.g., worth the investment of time and resources, states can build buy-in from stakeholders. researchers, families, legislators, program administrators, or advocates)? The purpose of this resource is to provide states with examples of various ways to integrate their Methods for sharing andtheir soliciting will vary depending on whofive theexamples stakeholders arestates home visiting data into ECIDSinformation over time. This resource will highlight of how and what role(s) they are playing as part of the data integration effort. In addition, it is important to can approach this incremental integration of home visiting data. identify the most appropriate data users to connect with and deliver information to stakeholders. For 1 example, home would likelyfrom be prenatal the best people directly talk targeting with home visiting participants Early childhood is thevisitors time of child development through age 8,to with most programs children from birth to age 5. The early childhood is a set ofand policies, and services delivered through systems, such as educationleaders (e.g., pre-K), about data system integration to approaches, ask for consent tothat usearetheir data. On existing the other hand, agency health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the cost of child care). may be the best people to share information about the data integration effort with other early 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. Retrieved from leaders, https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. childhood such as in the areas of health and education, because of their experience in working An ECIDS is a data system that combines, secures, and reports information from a variety of early learning services and programs, including data with programs across systems. related to children and families served by the program, members of the workforce, and the characteristics of the program or services. For more information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/.
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Step 3. Choose how to engage stakeholders in the data integration process.
One Step at a Time: The Benefits of an Incremental Approach to the Integration of Home Visiting and Other Early Childhood Data
After identifying key stakeholders and the types of information to share with or solicit from them, data integration leaders should determine how to engage stakeholders in the data integration process, recognizing that stakeholders may differ in what they can contribute to the process. For example, some stakeholders may be able to offer valuable guidance about how data can be shared, whereas others may have greater insight into the best uses of data with the populations that can benefit most from integrated data. Therefore, individuals and organizations may take different roles in the data integration process or participate at different stages of the process. Figure 1 illustrates four levels at which stakeholders may engage in the data integration process: Kate Steber and Dale Epstein informing, consulting, collaborating, and sharing leadership. The number of stakeholders involved in the process will vary according to their level of engagement, with the largest group of stakeholders being informed about data integration and the smallest group sharing leadership of the system. Introduction Figure 1. Stakeholders’ levels of engagement in the data integration process Home visiting is an important component of the early childhood 1 (EC) landscape. However, states often fail to prioritize home The State-level Home visiting data when developing their early childhood integrated Visiting Integration data systems (ECIDS).2 Home visiting represents a range of Sharing leadership with Early Childhood services, models, and programs, each with different data Data Systems requirements, so integrating the data can be challenging. Often, (SHINE) project aims home visiting data is disconnected across different models, as to support states in integrating Consulting well as from other EC data. To address this challenge to data their home visiting data integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating with other early childhood one aspect of home visiting data at a time, rather than tackling data. SHINE is a project of it all at once. The advantages to taking an incremental approach Collaborating the Early Childhood Data when integrating home visiting data with other EC data include Collaborative (ECDC), which the following: focuses on the development and use of coordinated state Informing • The process of integrating home visiting data into an ECIDS early care and education data can be managed more easily when it focuses on one piece at a systems. This resource was time, such as a specific model or geographic area. funded by the Heising-Simons Source. The above figure has been informed and developed based on stakeholder engagement recommendations from the Home Visiting Applied Research Collaborative. (2018). The Importance of Participatory Approaches in Precision Home Visiting Foundation. • States can treat the incremental integration as a pilot phase, Research. Baltimore, MD: Child Trends and James Bell Associates. Retrieved from: https://www.hvresearch.org/precision-home learn from any challenges or policy barriers that arise, and apply visiting/participatory-approaches/
that knowledge when scaling up to integrate other home visiting data.
Informing
• Incremental integration allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data By leaders showing integrating home visiting data with other EC data is important and It isintegration. important for towhy keep all stakeholders informed throughout the data integration process. the leaders investment of time and resources, statesunderstand can build buy-in fromofstakeholders. Forworth instance, should ensure that stakeholders the goals the data integration process and are aware of any major changes or updates. Data integration leaders will be most The purpose this resource is to provide examples of various ways to integrate successful in of building stakeholder support states if theywith engage stakeholders at the beginning and their then home visiting data into their ECIDS over time. This resource will highlight five examples of howstay states inform them regularly throughout the process, so that individuals, programs, and communities can approach this incremental integration home data. informed of changes or decisions that will of affect thevisiting way data are collected, managed, and used. Leaders may choose to send email newsletters, provide updates via social media, share information at 1 Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with most programs targeting children from birth to age 5. The targeted meetings about the process, or present at conferences and meetings. early childhood system is a set of policies, approaches, and services that are delivered through existing systems, such as education (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the cost of child care). 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. An ECIDS is a data system that combines, secures, and reports information from a variety of early learning services and programs, including data related to children and families served by the program, members of the workforce, and the characteristics of the program or services. For more information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/.
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Consulting
One Step at a Time: The Benefits of an Incremental Approach to the Integration of Home Visiting and Other Early Childhood Data
To promote continuous system improvement, data integration leaders may consider consulting with a group of data providers, data collectors and managers, and data users to gather their feedback about what works well and what can be improved. From the group of informed stakeholders, leaders may collect information or feedback from these stakeholders about how the data integration process is going. By collecting feedback at regular intervals, data integration leaders can implement changes that improve the accessibility and utility of the system. Leaders can take one of two different approaches to consulting stakeholders or use a combination of approaches. In the first approach, data integration leaders identify a group of stakeholders they will consult at regular intervals to gather feedback on changes over time. Alternatively, leaders consult different groups of stakeholders at different points in time to ensure that they capture the perspectives of a broad group of individuals Kate Steber Dale Epstein and programs that and interact with the system; these stakeholders may be invited to participate when pertinent topics or issues arise in the data integration process. Typically, meetings—whether they happen in person or virtually—are most effective for consulting with stakeholders because the format Introduction allows for discussion and collaboration. Other approaches include focus groups, surveys, or individual conversations. Home visiting is an important component of the early childhood (EC) landscape.1 However, states often fail to prioritize home The State-level Home Collaborating visiting data when developing their early childhood integrated Visiting Integration data systems (ECIDS).2 Home visiting represents a range of with Early Childhood Data integration leaders may ask an even smaller subset of stakeholders to collaborate with them to services, models, and programs, each with different data Data Systems shape each step of the data integration process, from project planning through completion, as equal requirements, so integrating the data can be challenging. Often, (SHINE) aimsrole in the partners. Stakeholders at this level of engagement would be expected to have aproject dedicated home visiting data is disconnected across different models, as to support states in integration integrating process as well as a larger say in decision-making. Stakeholders who collaborate with data well as from other EC data. To address this challenge to data their home visiting data role leaders on the full process of developing and running the data system will have a more intensive integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating with other early childhood in the system than those who are involved only at the informing and consulting levels of engagement. one aspect of home visiting data at a time, rather than tackling data. is aasproject Therefore, these individuals should have the capacity to dedicate time to theSHINE process, well asof an it all at once. The advantages to taking an incremental approach the Early Childhood Data understanding of the system and how it works. It is likely that these stakeholders will be convened or when integrating home visiting data with other EC data include which asked to collaborate on a frequent and regular basis, such as in monthlyCollaborative or quarterly (ECDC), meetings. the following: focuses on the development and use of coordinated state Sharing leadership • The process of integrating home visiting data into an ECIDS early care and education data can data be managed more easilymay when it focuses on one piece at a Finally, integration leaders choose a select group of stakeholders, whoThis represent individuals, systems. resource was time, such as a specific model or geographic area. programs, and communities involved with or affected by the data, to play a role governing the funded byinthe Heising-Simons system. These stakeholders may be responsible for setting policies, making decisions about how and Foundation. • States can treat the incremental integration as a pilot phase, when data are used, and determining which data are integrated within the system. They may serve on learn from any challenges or policy barriers that arise, and apply a governance entity specifically around the use of integrated data.3 that knowledge when scaling up to integrate other home visiting data. Stakeholders who share leadership of the data integration process may be expected to have more • Incremental integration allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data expertise than those who are involved at the collaborating level because these individuals govern, integration. By showing why integrating home visiting data with other EC data is important and monitor, and oversee the system. Partners at this level of engagement are expected to have to or worth the investment of time and resources, states can build buy-in from stakeholders. develop an understanding of data governance and privacy issues. At the start of the integration process, theyof may weekly or states monthly meetings. Once the system and The purpose thisparticipate resource isinto provide with examples of various waysis todeveloped, integrate their governing is primarily on maintenance, stakeholders who share leadership should home visiting data intofocused their ECIDS over time. This resource will highlight five examples of still howmeet states regularly, but their meetings may occur on a monthly basis. can approach this incremental integration of home visiting data. Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with most programs targeting children from birth to age 5. The early childhood system is a set of policies, approaches, and services that are delivered through existing systems, such as education (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the cost of child care). 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. An ECIDS is a data system that combines, secures, and reports information from a variety of early learning services and programs, including data related to children and families served by the program, members of the workforce, andhome the characteristics of the program services. Home For more 3 For more information about establishing data governance structures with visiting stakeholders, see or Including information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/. 1
Visiting Programs in Data Governance Bodies available at childtrends.org/shine-initiative.
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Conclusion
One Step at a Time: The Benefits of an Incremental Approach to the Integration of Home Visiting and Other Early Childhood Data
Support and input from a variety of stakeholders is critical for the successful integration of home visiting data with other early childhood data. The first step toward engaging stakeholders in data integration efforts is to identify key stakeholders and inform them about the goals of data integration, solicit information from them to learn how to best meet their needs, and describe their role in the integrated data system and how the system might benefit their work. Data integration leaders can successfully involve stakeholders in the process by selecting the appropriate stakeholders to engage, communicating important information to them, and staying engaged with them on an ongoing basis. Stakeholders can be involved in this process in one or more of the following roles: data providers, data collectors and managers, and data users. It is important to think beyond the individuals Kate Steber and Dale Epstein and organizations who are usually at the table for home visiting discussions and decisions when identifying who should be informed about data integration efforts, which may require intentional and extra effort on the part of data integration leaders. For information on crafting messages to reach Introduction stakeholders with different roles and priorities, see the additional resources section below. Home visiting is an important component of the early childhood • Early Childhood Integrated Systems (ECIDS) Toolkit: Engagement: The State 1 (EC) landscape. However, statesData often fail to prioritize home Stakeholder The State-level Home Longitudinal Data System team developed a toolkit to support the development of an ECIDS, visiting data when developing their early childhood integrated Visiting Integration which includes a section on stakeholder engagement. This resource can be adapted for engaging 2 data systems (ECIDS). Home visiting represents a range of with Early Childhood home visiting stakeholders and includes self-assessments, planning guides, communication plans, services, models, and programs, each with different data Data Systems and other guidance that may be important for successful stakeholder engagement. requirements, so integrating the data can be challenging. Often, (SHINE) project aims home visiting data is disconnected across different models, as to supportHealth states and in integrating • Stakeholder communication: The University of Kansas Center for Community wellDevelopment’s as from other EC data. To address this challenge to data their home visitingadata Community Toolbox (Chapter 6) providers information about creating integration, states can take an incremental approach, integrating with other early communication plan, including identifying the best methods for communicating withchildhood different onegroups aspectand of home visiting data atmessaging. a time, rather than tackling data. SHINE is a project of crafting successful it all at once. The advantages to taking an incremental approach the Early Childhood Data when integrating visiting dataThe withEarly other EC data include • Key questionshome for stakeholders: Childhood Data Collaborative’s graphic(ECDC), outliningwhich key Collaborative the questions following:that can be answered by integrated data for different stakeholder groups can be helpful focuses on the development for determining what types of information to share about the benefits theof system. andofuse coordinated state • The process of integrating home visiting data into an ECIDS early care and education data can be managed more when itRescue focusesCommittee’s on one pieceresearch at a • Informed consent: The easily International toolkit, Obtaining Meaningful systems. This resource was time, suchConsent, as a specific model or geographic area. Informed outlines barriers to informed consent, methods for overcoming these barriers, funded by the Heising-Simons and methods for minimizing coercion. Foundation. • States can treat the incremental integration as a pilot phase, learn from any challenges or policy barriers that arise, and apply that knowledge when scaling up to integrate other home visiting data.
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Incremental integration allows states to achieve small wins and demonstrate success on data integration. By showing why integrating home visiting data with other EC data is important and worth the investment of time and resources, states can build buy-in from stakeholders.
The purpose of this resource is to provide states with examples of various ways to integrate their home visiting data into their ECIDS over time. This resource will highlight five examples of how states can approach this incremental integration of home visiting data. Early childhood is the time of child development from prenatal through age 8, with most programs targeting children from birth to age 5. The early childhood system is a set of policies, approaches, and services that are delivered through existing systems, such as education (e.g., pre-K), health care (e.g., immunization), or social services (e.g., subsidies to offset the cost of child care). 2 Epstein, D & King, C. (2018, December 5). Lessons from the early care and education field for home visiting data integration [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/shining-a-light-lessons-from-the-early-care-and-education-field-for-home-visiting-data-integration. An ECIDS is a data system that combines, secures, and reports information from a variety of early learning services and programs, including data related to children and families served by the program, members of the workforce, and the characteristics of the program or services. For more information on ECIDS, please go to the Early Childhood Data Collaborative website: https://www.ecedata.org/. 1
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