The Performance Data Enhancement Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

Program Abstract The Performance Data Enhancement Program began in 2013 with the hiring of a Senior Programmer Analyst and the establishment of a Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services platform to manage and visualize performance data for the Department of Court Services. Program teams regularly collect demographic data, risk assessment data, completion rate data and more while implementing programs such as Pretrial services, Probation, Treatment Courts, etc. The Senior Programmer Analyst creates performance reports and dashboards through Server Reporting Services to help Department teams track performance, measure outcomes, and make performance-informed decisions. The program is: • Improving program administration by using performance measures to inform practice • Providing information that facilitates effective public policy making by generating easily accessible data measuring the population receiving services, service levels, and program completion rates; and • Promoting intergovernmental cooperation and coordination by sharing data between program teams, the Department of the Jail, and the Public Defender. Purpose Program staff had an unmet need for access to up to date data and performance reports measuring program implementation and the populations they served. The Performance Data Enhancement Program solved this problem by effectively utilizing technology and the skills of a Senior Programmer Analyst to develop a performance measurement system to meet that need. Staff now have access to up to date data and visualizations tracking their programs and the clients they serve. This allows staff to make performance-informed decisions and conduct evidence based planning. Outcomes • Program Supervisors are using the Server Reporting Services reports to view performance dashboards with continuously refreshing data on their desktops. • The Department has just released its fourth month of recidivism outcome data for the clients who come through Court Services doors. • Performance data is being used to identify service gaps and inform grant proposals, funding requests, and requests for training to address those gaps.