Measuring Child Well-Being at the Neighborhood Level

Community-based organizations require reliable and interpretable data in order to improve services. The need for this has increased as government and foundations require more information about the outcomes of services for children and their families. At the same time, more and more data are becoming available. However, much of it is difficult to read and is fragmented across many organizations at the city, county, state, and federal levels. For example, there is more complex Census data available, but it is challenging to access and understand. Additionally, having greater access to other sources of data on the web presents community-based organizations with much information, but, without dependable analysis, little wisdom. Making sense of a seemingly overwhelming supply of data is critical for effective decision making by policymakers and practitioners invested in child well-being.

This forum discussed the challenges community-based organizations face in accessing data and potential strategies for addressing these challenges.

Panel:

• Robert Goerge, Senior Research Fellow, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
• Alaina Harkness, Program Officer for Community and Economic Development in U.S. Programs, The MacArthur Foundation
• Chris Brown, Director, New Communities Program, LISC Chicago
• Nancy Ronquillo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Home + Aid

Moderator:

• Matthew Stagner, Executive Director, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

Data Resource Websites

• Young Children in Chicago
• Metropulse (CMAP)
• Chicago of Chicago Data Portal
• Chicago Community Needs Summary Tool
• U.S. Census Bureau Data
• Chicago Tribune Census Data
• LISC Chicago Home Page
• NCP Information and Neighborhood Quality-of-Life Plans
• Institute for Comprehensive Community Development
• LISC National Website
• National Neighborhood Indicator Partnership