Recorded presentation

Susan Brutschy, BA, Applied Survey Research, P.O. Box 1927, Watsonville, CA 95077, 831.728.1356, susan@appliedsurveyresearch.org

Most data ends up on dusty shelves in office libraries, but three communities in California took their community assessment data and changed local, state or federal public policy. In Santa Cruz County, the yearly Community Assessment Project data were used to facilitate community change in the areas of teen alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness. In Santa Clara County, the Greenbook Project data lead to a new, 15-minute response team of police, domestic violence advocates and child welfare workers in cases of domestic abuse and child maltreatment. It also lead to cross training of workers in the courts, police, social services and advocacy organizations. In Monterey County, a community assessment project led to a homeless census and survey that resulted in eleven million dollars in local, state and federal homeless funding.

Data can be used to generate public policy changes, influence community leaders and elected officials, engender media coverage and educate the public. Using lessons from three community assessments, session participants will learn how to encourage community action, invite targeted participation, build a network of support, develop community goals and benchmarks, take community action using results based accountability and monitor progress towards community goals. Participants will also learn to disseminate data, secure media coverage in television, radio and newspapers, organize well attended press conferences with widespread community involvement, and make presentations to legislators and community leaders.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe multiple strategies to use data to facilitate community action and public policy changes.
• Describe multiple strategies to disseminate report data to the public, media, community leaders and elected officials.

Keywords: Public Policy, Community Collaboration

Related Web page: www.appliedsurveyresearch.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Applied Survey Research is a 23-year old non-profit social research firm conducting program evaluation, community assessment, and technical assistance projects for governments, foundations, educational institutions, health care organizations, and direct s

Recorded presentation