Community Outcomes Data - Example of the Data
Since the beginning of the SPF-SIG grant and then followed by the PFS grant, coalitions have been collecting key indicators to monitor alcohol consumption and perceived risk of harm patterns within their target communities. The target of both grants was underage alcohol consumption. The federal agencies added the requirement that we track indicators related to prescription drugs even though prescription drugs was not the focus of our funding.
The indicators for targeted population tracked through student surveys include:
30-day alcohol use
30-day binge alcohol use
Perception of Harm of binge drinking
30-day prescription drug use
Perception of Harm from prescription drug use
It is important to note that even thought the coalitions may have used different surveys, the questions were standardized and consistent across the coalitions. At the conclusion of each contract year, the coalitions have completed and submitted the COMS data in the form of the summary COMS report spreadsheets.
In addition, the alcohol related arrest rate for the targeted geographic area was also collected using arrest data. At the beginning, coalitions also attempted to collect data on prescription drug emergency room visits. This was not successful and has been collected at the state level due to numerous challenges at the local level.
The following dashboard includes the data for the COMS submitted from the coalitions over the course of the PFS grant. When looking at the data, it is important to note what populations were surveyed and that the data represents. Some coalitions surveyed the entire student populations of 6th -12th, others surveyed only high school, or only one grade. The selection of the population depended upon the local situation of the coalition and the school district. In addition, the data collection process was also impacted by state laws and in the final 2020 years was impacted by the COVID pandemic.
Once we have valid and available YRBS data to use a comparison, comparing the COMS data and the YRBS data will aid in helping us understand what the trends are like across our communities compared to the statewide benchmark.
The dashboard below is intended for discussion as a follow up on our discussion related to the role and extent of evaluation at the coalition level and the state level as well as to help gain some perspective as to what data we already collect. The data in this dashboard is de-identified to avoid the temptation of a direct comparison of one coalition to another without taking into consideration the community and numerous other factors.
To look at the dashboard, you can see aggregate data as well as data broken down by grade. Use the tabs across the top to see different views.
