"Now more than ever, data are essential to helping policymakers and administrators understand the needs in their states including helping families access services." - Child Trends
Why is integrated Early Childhood data important?
Vermont has a complicated system of governance and administration (i.e. multiple departments, divisions, agencies, private community partners such as health care providers, child care programs, and parent child centers, responsible for service delivery and administration). Consequently, the data collected by the range of entities administering and overseeing these services, resources, and supports is not centralized, coordinated, or integrated, which makes it difficult to understand a full picture of the well-being of children and families across sectors. The lack of integrated data limits continuous quality improvement efforts and Vermont’s ability to answer critical policy questions about the impact of programs and policies.
Access to high-quality, up-to-date data allows us to respond more efficiently and effectively to the needs of children and families statewide and understand and monitor how our system, and decision-making, impact outcomes for those most vulnerable. Consistently reviewing data also allows the entire system (policy makers, agency leadership, community partners, and families) to identify where there are gaps in the system, where duplication exists, how resources are (or are not) successful in impacting outcomes, what to prioritize, and evaluate progress on existing initiatives. Viewing data across sectors also serves as a reminder of the linkages and interactions between and among early childhood programs, services and resources, and allows us to coordinate data priorities. Finally, providing publicly accessible early childhood data in one centralized place allows us to know, across sectors, whether we’re making a difference in the lives of children and families.
As Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council, Building Bright Futures is committed to using and producing the most up-to-date, high-quality data to inform decision-making and serves a critical role in Vermont, operating as a broker of data and information to guide policy decisions and strategy related to children, families, and the Early Childhood System. While Vermont does not yet have an early childhood integrated data system (ECIDS), in which data across all sectors is integrated and housed within and across State Agencies, Vermontkidsdata.org, is a first step in centralizing cross-sector data in a clear, accessible way.