Data Collection
ISA Data has over 40 years of experience gathering valuable insights from students, teachers, parents, and professionals. Throughout this time, we have earned the trust of numerous organizations, both large and small. Our extensive background in working within the U.S. education system provides us with unique expertise in recruitment and survey planning that few others can offer.
Having been around longer than the Drug-Free Communities program, we have worked with newly formed community coalitions from the very beginning. We understand their needs when it comes to surveys and reports, and we tailor our reports to be clear and accessible for all users, not just PhD-level statisticians. Our surveys also include built-in "honesty checks," using algorithms, honed over time, to identify and remove responses that are likely dishonest, ensuring our customers receive clean, valid, and reliable data.
Planning & Evaluation
A large part of any survey effort is taken up with planning and evaluation. Coalitions and schools alike are steeped in planning. ISA Data helps validate that planning and can play a part in helping to evaluate programs that are used to improve the lives of youth. Many evidenced based programs are purchaced by schools to address a specific issue and challenges come with implementation, and execution, especially when there is no accountability.
With our surveys and our customers' planning, we can track longitudinal data to measure program effectiveness based on students' reported outcomes. For example, if a school-wide anti-bullying program is introduced in year one, the survey data from that year can serve as a baseline. Each following year’s data can then be compared to see if the program is making a positive impact on the student population.
Grant Funding
ISA Data upholds rigorous standards in its survey products and collaborates closely with relevant government agencies to ensure our surveys meet the requirements for non-profit grant funding. We work directly with DFC evaluators prior to releasing any new survey, ensuring that when you submit your survey for approval, the evaluation process is seamless and fast. Our surveys are used by new coalitions to gather baseline data for grant applications and by established coalitions to maintain their funding.
Even coalitions beyond their ten years of DFC funding rely on our surveys to secure additional external funding and provide essential data to key stakeholders in the community. For schools, our data can be instrumental in applying for various federal grants, helping secure vital funding for programs that might otherwise be unaffordable.
Coalition Building
Coalitions typically lead their own efforts in building partnerships, but strong data can be a powerful unifier. Reliable data about the community and its youth can rally people around a common cause. We advocate for sharing data within communities to help coalitions align their goals and use it as a tool to recruit and engage others around specific issues.
By clearly demonstrating the connection between teen substance use and challenges in school or mental health, you can engage parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders in your mission. This broad support will amplify the impact of your coalition.
Recruitment & Training
As part of our statewide contracts, ISA Data takes the lead in contacting and recruiting schools to participate in the survey process or many times, trains state employees to do the same. Over the years, we have refined strategies to approach schools and engage even the most hesitant school leaders, boosting participation in data collection. As an ISA customer, you gain access to our expertise and can rely on us as a resource to help you gather the most comprehensive and reliable data for your area.
Custom Solutions
ISA Data has extensive experience in creating custom surveys tailored to specific platforms and research needs, making this an ideal solution for large organizations planning multi-year surveys. However, due to the complexity and effort involved, this is our most costly option, and lead times can extend to several months depending on our current workload.
We regularly respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Information (RFIs) from statewide health and education departments, as well as counties and cities with multiple districts to survey. If you're interested in a custom survey project, please send us your RFP/RFI or contact us directly to discuss your specific needs.
Book A Demo
Book a demo and let us jump start your coalition with some serious savings in your first year.
