What kind of data affects social change and where does it come from? [generocity.org]

“Good data tells us a story that can help inform a decision,” said Samantha Matlin, vice president of learning and community impact at The Scattergood Foundation, and lead for the RISE Partnership, during the third session of Episcopal Community Services’s 2020 Forum on Justice and Opportunity.

Matlin and co-panelists Ross Bernet, project manager on the data analytics team at Azavea, a certified B Corporation software development company, and Aminata Diallo, manager of learning and community impact at The Scattergood Foundation, spoke about data as a key driver of social change and wellbeing, using as examples two key initiatives from Scattergood’s portfolio.

First, Matlin and Bernet presented Place Matters: Philadelphia Children’s Health and Well-Being, a mapping project intended to inform policy and programmatic decisions in Philadelphia by flipping the script on the frequently utilized maps of deficits and crises across the city and highlighting the city’s assets in addition to its risks.

The team identified mitigating assets — including federally qualified health centers, school quality, fresh food access, and children’s behavioral health services utilization —  and risks — including crime, unemployment, and adverse childhood experiences — and studied them alongside life expectancy and social mobility in each of Philly’s 10 city council districts. The resulting reports are intended to be used by government, community organizations, and residents for budget and resource allocation.

To read the full article by Elina Tonkova, click here.