1. 1 Data Books for Monitoring the Safety Net Robert Seifert Policy Director The Access Project Boston, MA

2. 2 Local data to monitor the safety net are needed but elusive Local data to monitor the safety net are needed but elusive Data books provide a common focal point for policy discussions Data books provide a common focal point for policy discussions Helps overcome the isolation of local health care systems and problems Helps overcome the isolation of local health care systems and problems Refreshment for the Data-thirsty

3. 3 The Value of Local Data Tell a local story Tell a local story Show variation within geographic areas Show variation within geographic areas Find peer communities that might serve as examples Find peer communities that might serve as examples

4. 4 Source: Census 2000 MSA=Metropolitan Statistical Area The Value of Local Data Limited English Proficiency in Hartford, CT MSA

5. 5 Source: Census 2000 MSA=Metropolitan Statistical Area The Value of Local Data Limited English Proficiency within Hartford, CT MSA

6. 6 The Elusiveness of Local Data Why don’t you have... in the data book? Why don’t you have... in the data book? The importance of multiple measures The importance of multiple measures – As proxies – For strategic purposes

7. 7 How to Use the Data For comparisons, as markers For comparisons, as markers The beginning of the story, not the end The beginning of the story, not the end Avoid the measurement trap Avoid the measurement trap Get the rest of the story directly from the community Get the rest of the story directly from the community