Northeast > Resources > Topic Specific > Assessment and Evaluation > Collecting local sources of data

As part of the strategic planning process, prevention practitioners are confronted with the task of assessing community needs and resources, planning programs, and collecting information to be used in program evaluation. All of these activities require data collection in one form or another. Where do I go to identify and collect existing local sources of data?

When conducting an assessment, identifying and using existing sources of data can be extremely helpful, as well as time and cost effective. The best and often the easiest way to start a needs and resources assessment is to review existing data sources. The first step in this process is to find out if local data are available. Local data are likely to be more effective as a means of mobilizing the community than are similar data about state or national populations. Another advantage of local data is that searching for them may help you identify people who may become potential partners or resources in addressing the problem you are studying. The table below lists and describes possible sources of local data.

Go to the FAQ on existing sources of national data http://www.captus.samhsa.gov/northeast/resources/faqs/faq33.cfm

This FAQ is derived from the Northeast CAPT's training manual Assessment: A Vital Pre-Planning Activity http://www.captus.samhsa.gov/northeast/services/f2ftraining/assessment1.cfm by Wayne Harding.

Please contact the Northeast CAPT at capt@edc.org for more information.