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Resources and Tools > Managing with Data
Iowa's Digital Dashboard
This article is also
available in PDF File.
With the increased focus on the use
of data to inform child welfare practice, many states
are recognizing the benefits of sharing outcome data
with all levels of child welfare staff. One challenge
facing many agencies is the question of how to collect
and present data and outcomes in a manner that is both
cost-effective and user friendly. Often there are not
enough organized, relevant data provided to staff and
administrators. In other instances there is such an
overwhelming amount of information that the significance
of the information can be lost.
Background
This article highlights a digital dashboard that was
created and is currently in use in the state of Iowa.
A digital dashboard is a desktop portal that displays
large amounts of data in a clear and user-friendly format,
usually with charts and graphs. It is interactive, so
that high-level data may be broken down into more specific
units as dictated by the user. Iowa’s Digital
Dashboard utilizes information that already exists in
Iowa's SACWIS, Family and Children Services (FACS),
and presents it in a clear and concise format. Iowa
created a program that has received positive feedback
from State staff ranging from administrators to workers
in the field, and is being utilized in several different
ways to improve services and outcomes for children and
families.
Iowa uses the graphing tool ChartDirector by Advanced
Software Engineering* for their Digital Dashboard. Licenses
for this software were relatively inexpensive at less
than $100 per developer and two server licenses at less
than $100 each. Developers of the Digital Dashboard
estimate that it took approximately 300 work hours for
the initial development of the product prior to its
first release. The dashboard is a web application, so
there was no need to install a program onto individual
desktops.
Iowa began by displaying the six federal Child and
Family Services Review (CFSR) data indicators. Since
this data was already being produced for federal reporting,
this information resource was available to the state
for use in the dashboard. This prevented the need to
spend additional time collecting and organizing new
information.
Current Status
For each CFSR outcome, a vertical blue line displays
each area's performance against the State target. A
vertical black line displays each area's performance
against the State average. If a green bar graph is displayed
for an area, the State’s actual performance surpasses
the State average and target. A yellow bar indicates
that the area's performance exceeds State average but
is less than the State target, and a red bar signifies
that the performance is less than the State average
and target.
* ACF does not endorse or promote
the use of any particular software product or application.
The application and vendor name is for information purposes
only and is not intended to promulgate industry best
practices.
Iowa's Digital Dashboard: Example
 [D] |
The first version of the dashboard displayed the six
outcomes by service area at the county level. Once users
became comfortable with the program and with the idea
of widespread sharing of region-specific child welfare
outcome information, the outcomes were displayed at
the supervisory level (within a given county) and finally
at the client level (all of the clients on a caseworker's
caseload). Data can also be viewed by other geographic
areas (e.g., judicial districts) and incorporate demographic
factors such as age and gender.
The Digital Dashboard, which provides objective information
regarding child welfare outcomes, has led to greater
discussion and consideration of the factors behind variations
in performance outcomes. Introduction of the dashboard
has helped to bring about a number of changes in Iowa.
Among them, a quality assurance staff person has been
hired for each service area, and that staff person uses
the dashboard as a primary source of information in
identifying potential areas of improvement and best
practice. Administrators have taken a closer look at
organization and staffing levels in different service
areas based on performance outcomes. The Department
of Human Services director even keeps a printout of
the dashboard with him as an at-a-glance illustration
of the department's child welfare outcomes.
One important feature of the Digital Dashboard is that
with one click, staff can view detailed information
regarding the definition of each outcome measure, as
well as view information that identifies the data source
within the SACWIS for each measure. These features help
bring the data to life for staff and highlight the importance
of accurate data entry and maintenance, as well as emphasize
the direct connection between their work and outcome
data.
Future Directions
An additional benefit of using this type of data display
is that consumer requests can prompt additions and improvements
to the system. Iowa has plans to begin displaying the
relationship between the re-abuse outcome and factors
such as participation in family team meetings and number
of client contacts. Each bar graph will also display
the relationship between the outcome and cost of the
purchased services. Plans are being made to allow the
public to view a redacted version of the dashboard.
Lessons Learned
Developers of Iowa's digital dashboard offer the following
advice to states that are considering developing a similar
program:
- Start with compelling data that will secure the
interest and attention of the majority of users. Iowa
used the six CFSR Federal outcomes.
- Begin simply by using data that will have the best
and easiest results on the tool. Additional categories
and levels of data can be added later based on consumer
need and feedback.
- Release a simple version of the tool quickly to
gain support for the project, and then concentrate
on making additions and improvements based on user
suggestions.
In a time when data are increasingly informing the
practice of child welfare, Iowa's digital dashboard
provides staff at all levels with the opportunity to
view a concise picture of the State's child welfare
practice and outcomes. Iowa's Digital Dashboard is currently
in widespread use, and has the flexibility to adjust
and grow in accordance with the State's needs.
For more information on Iowa's Digital Dashboard, please
contact Joe Finnegan, Chief, Bureau of Child Welfare
Information Systems, Iowa Department of Human Services,
at jfinneg@dhs.state.ia.us.
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