Information Network for Ongoing Resource Management (INFORM)

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Information Network for Ongoing Resource Management (INFORM) is a system that provides actionable information for informed decision making to Wake County staff, government leaders and community partners. It is managed by Wake County Human Services in collaboration with other Wake County departments. Through INFORM, services are provided to identify appropriate data and technological resources, conducts data analysis and report information to stakeholders. Since inception in 2012, INFORM has: • Held a gallery walk and poster session to educate managers and supervisors about human services data. • Sponsored an informatics forum for staff, Human Services Board members and community partners. • Identified Wake County population indicators for trend analysis and planning. • Developed a Geographic Information Services (GIS) Portal for mapping program services focused on " areas of need” based on economic, education, and other criteria. • Developed a community context index with social/economic indicators to assess the needs of Wake County's residents. Estimated staff time and cost of production using INFORM was about $12,350 in the past 12 months. Outside contract/consultation is estimated to have cost $48,000for the same services and products. INFORM has proven to be a cost effective way to address data needs with internal resources and continues to generate useful information for both the agency and the public by utilizing and aligning available County resources.