Below are some sample questions that you may want to ask staff at local education, health, social service, or law enforcement agencies as you search for information to inform your prevention initiative. Tailor these questions to your own needs and circumstances.

Before you begin, make sure to explain why you are collecting this information and how it will be used. Let your contact know that his or her agency will be fully credited with collecting these data in all your publications, reports, and presentations.

1. Do you have data on [insert target population and type of data in which you are
interested]?

2. Are you the person most familiar with these data?

• [If not] With whom should I speak?

3. When did you begin collecting these data? How often are these data collected?
When were the most recent data collected?

4. How were the data collected (e.g., pencil-and-paper survey, phone interview,
face-to-face interview)?

5. How are the data recorded and managed (e.g., paper records, in files,
computerized)?

If yes:

• Are reports available?
• How can they be obtained? Is there a cost?

If no:

• Are the data available to the public or my agency? Must I make a formal application?
  If computerized: Can your agency do custom data runs?
  If on paper: Can I have access to these files or are they
  confidential?
• How can I arrange to access these data?
• Is there someone on staff who can help me work with the data?
• Will there be any cost for accessing the records?

7. Does your agency report these data to a state and/or national agency? If so
which one(s)?