Region I Data System
JSI was contracted by Region I OFP in May 2000 to take
on the development and implementation of a new regional data management
system. As part of this contract, JSI began working with a Regional
Data Committee, comprised of grantee and Regional office staff, which
had created a set of data requirements to meet existing FPAR and regional,
state and local data needs. The requirements of the contract were
to write and disseminate an RFP for vendors to bid on a new data system,
evaluate vendor responses and facilitate the Data Committee's vendor
selection, negotiate, and manage the contract with the data services
vendor during the development, implementation and maintenance phases.
As part of this contract, JSI was responsible for project management,
for development and implementation of a web based system in just over
a 12-month period. The Region I Data System stores information on
over 200 sites in the region, representing nearly 400,000 annual Title
X encounters. The specific deliverables included database description,
development and testing of 3 data collection methods (scannable paper,
PC based application, and web form), development of reporting requirements,
access requirements to vendor provided secure web site for data transmission
and on line analytical reporting purposes, auditing tools, and data
conversion.
As part of the conversion to the new system, significant assessment
was done of local sites and grantees' capacities to transmit and send
data electronically. Vendor selection criteria included the capacity
to accept HIPAA compliant electronic data files from Title X sites'
standard business operating/practice management applications, in formats
that would make it easy for sites to meet FPAR and regional requirements
by minor changes to their existing systems.
The system offers grantees significant enhancements in real time data
reporting, data import and local data manipulation capabilities though
use of a secure web site. All standard and special reports are available
through appropriate user access authentication routines, and can be
run by users on line or for on line retrieval within 72 hours of request.
In addition, the system includes an ad hoc query generator that allows
authorized users to select up to 3 criteria and run queries on the
fly and return either a detailed listing of records that match the
specified criteria, or a summary and count of records that match the
criteria. Currently the Data Committee members and JSI are completing
enhancements to the systems reporting that will allow users much more
flexibility in ad hoc reporting. JSI's Region I Training Center developed
appropriate training to allow grantees to take the best advantage
of the new capabilities in the data system.
To access the site (username and password required) go to:
https://www.reg1fpds.org
