Uplifting Our Community Through Building Data Capacity

by Adriann Gin, Hawai‘i Data Collaborative

Since the height of the pandemic, the Hawai‘i Data Collaborative (HDC) has had the privilege of connecting with numerous Hawai‘i non-profit service providers that brought stability into the lives of individuals and families that were dramatically upended. The effects of the pandemic were felt by everyone, with many vulnerable families pushed further into the margins. I had a front-row seat, personally witnessing the unwavering dedication of Hawai‘i’s non-profit leaders and their teams to provide care and support when it was needed most. Inspired by the response from this community, our team had a desire to be helpful and felt we were well-positioned to offer data capacity support - ensuring that these front-line service providers were equipped with the data they need to respond to the challenges confronting Hawai‘i’s struggling families.

In our conversations with those working to support Hawai‘i’s households in need, our team learned how critical data is in shaping their programs and services, as well as their overall organizational direction. However, constraints on resources and capacity limit their ability to gain the insights they desire. Without quality, timely, and relevant data, service providers cannot quantify the outcomes of their work, identify gaps not yet filled, and allocate their time and resources efficiently. Given their expertise on the communities they serve, our team was excited when service providing organizations began inviting us to come alongside to co-develop solutions that would address their data challenges and unlock the data insights critical to informing their work.

Data and Service: A Powerful Combination

Data can be leveraged in a variety of ways to drive positive change at all levels in our community. From non-profits to policymakers to program administrators, all community stakeholders have a need for useful data to make informed decisions. Data insights provide the foundation for responsive policy, support services, and allocation of resources.

As we began working with community partners, we heard a consistent desire to utilize relevant data to meet households’ needs. Hawai‘i’s families are now contending with inflation and an even higher cost of living. The fallout from the pandemic is real; fortunately, the compassion and concern from Hawai‘i’s non-profit community are also real. When their care is combined with quality, timely and relevant data, non-profits are empowered to make better decisions and have a positive impact on the lives of those in our community struggling to get by.

Data Capacity Support Services

Over the past year, through our community partnerships, our team heard another consistent desire for capacity boosts to address organizational data challenges. Oftentimes, the challenge is so great that understanding where to begin is the biggest barrier! At HDC, we aspire to be a gateway to a full spectrum of data support services to enhance the data capacities of organizations working to support households in need, and can offer our support in the following areas:

• Data Strategy

  We assist our partners in streamlining their internal data processes to better align with the communities they serve.

• Data Systems

  We take the time to understand our partner’s business pain points, then recommend the best sustainable solution to meet their needs.

• Data Analysis and Reporting

  Alongside our partners, we co-create and execute analysis plans, format data for reporting, and design dashboards to present insights. We also provide training, which is critical to ensure the data capacities we provided sustain beyond our engagement.

• Data Collection

  We advise on planning, development, and tools when our partners need to collect new data.

• Modeling

  We support our partners in leveraging their existing data to proactively intervene or test scenarios that could have far-reaching implications for the community.

Regardless of the type of service needed, we have learned that the most successful projects are the ones where we collaborate and co-create solutions alongside our partners. While our team’s niche is in data support and capacity building, our service provider partners know their business and clients best – we may know how to develop a dashboard, but our partners know what metrics best align with their community, and how the data will further their mission. When we join forces, we can produce transformational results.

Hawai‘i Data Collaborative: A Resource to Our Community

At the Hawai‘i Data Collaborative, we strive to be a resource to the community of service providers offering direct support to households in need. We are currently partnering with several non-profit service providers to address their internal data challenges, co-developing solutions that equip our partners with the necessary tools to sustain themselves beyond our engagement. Our sweet spot lies in transformational projects. We love big challenges, and have welcomed opportunities with partners ready to take the plunge in addressing their data challenges head on.

If you are a direct service provider and have questions about data capacity support for your organization, or have a transformational project in mind, please reach out to us at info@hawaiidata.org.