07 - Using Data to Advance Your Mission

Goal: “to equip coalitions, organizations, and individuals to bring change to their community”

 

Welcome to Episode 007 of the Podcast: Using Data to Advance Your Mission

In this episode you will hear why it is so important to use data to advance your mission.

 

Guests: Lyn Frano & Stephanie Patton - from the OASIS Coalition

 

Bio- Lyn Frano:

Lyn Frano is a Licensed Social Worker with over 27 years of experience working with children, youth, and families. Lyn currently works for the OASIS coalition to coordinate 4 Massachusetts communities to address substance use disorder by using the coalition model. Lyn formerly worked in the Weymouth Health Department and coordinated the efforts of the 5 year federal Drug Free Communities Support Program grant and Mayor Kay’s Opiate Task Force

 

Bio- Stephanie Patton:

Stephanie Patton, MPH is seen as a prevention leader in the state of Massachusetts by her peers. She has been the Prevention Coordinator for Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton (OASIS) in Stoughton, Massachusetts since 2012, but has been involved with OASIS since its inception in 2004. A primary focus of her work has been policy change at the local, regional and state level.  Prior to this role, Stephanie served as the Program Director for the Southeast Center for Healthy Communities, where she provided technical assistance to substance abuse prevention coalitions throughout Southeastern MA. Stephanie brings over 15 years of experience in public health, substance abuse prevention and coalition building.  She has presented nationally on coalition development and other topics and has extensive experience in developing and leading trainings. Stephanie has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Bachelor’s Degree from Wellesley College.

Host, Amanda Decker joins Steve Wright from R&R Partners to talk about how good communication creates effective change.

 

OASIS Website: http://stoughtonoasis.org/

OASIS on Twitter: @stoughtonoasis

OASIS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stoughtonoasis/

CADCA Website: www.cadca.org

MassTapp Website and Planning Tools: http://masstapp.edc.org/sapc-planning-tool

Organizing for Change Website: https://organizing4change.podbean.com/

Organizing for Change Twitter: @organizing4chng

 

Insights from This Episode:

Using data ensures you are accurately targeting your approach. Programs and solutions can cause more harm than good if data is not collected to make sure the actual issue is being addressed.

Lyn shares a prevention parable to show how data collection is important in both talking about the issues in the community and coming up with solutions to address the issues.

Qualitative and Quantitative Data: To paint a realistic picture of what is happening in your community, you will need to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.

Collect Quantitative Data: Even if you don’t have funding to complete a survey or hire someone to collect data, your community has data available! Look for groups that are already collecting data such as police, hospitals, schools and encourage data sharing.

Collect Qualitative Data: A great way to start (regardless of funding) is to conduct “key stakeholder interviews” with key members of your community. These conversations will help you find out what is happening in your community.

 

Next Episode: Subscribe now for free and you won’t miss episode 008