The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58469

Karen M. Perrin, PhD, MPH, RN¹, Jodi Baumgardner, BS¹, and Jamie Robe, MS². (1) Dept. of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813 974 6704, kperrin@hsc.usf.edu, (2) The Planning Commission, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., PO Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601

Purpose: This study links social determinant databases with environmental databases to develop the Social Infrastructure Network (SIN) using GIS mapping. SIN allows social service or governmental agencies to merge data into comprehensive maps that are shared on the Internet and has the exceptional ability to filter and delete confidential personal data. Methods: Two grants were combined to develop SIN: 1) University collaborative grant conducted an extensive assessment of the social, educational and medical service data to identify linkages between families, teachers, clinics, and community partner; 2) County Children's Board grant supported the City Planning Commission to enhance existing environmental maps. Results: SIN allows social service agencies access to a free, but extremely valuable, community program planning tool. For example, by intersecting the school employee vacancy rate with the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Tests (FCAT) scores revealed that the lower FCAT scores were correlated to higher employee vacancy rates. Additional examples are presented. Conclusion: By having the social service and governmental agencies partner with the GIS City Planning Commission engineers allowed for the merger of numerous databases to develop SIN. For the first time, this powerful system allows social service agencies to share valuable data to enhance program planning while reducing service duplication, tracking funding accountability and maximizing the use of scarce funding resources.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning Objectives:
• 1. Describe the advantages of combining the social determinant databases with environmental databases for program planning.
• 2. Determine the types of data that are most appropriate for the SIN mapping.
• 3. Provide examples of how the SIN project could be duplicated in other communities for program planning purposes.

Keywords: Technology,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.