Harnessing the Potential of a Statewide System
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) is the leading voice for survivors of domestic violence in Connecticut
and the agencies that serve them. They are a nonprofit membership organization of the 18 domestic violence service programs in the state
and use data on a regular basis to tell the story of their work to funders, the state legislature, and other key stakeholders. After CCADV initiated strategic data system improvements, their member Safe Haven was able to use its robust client and program information to impress funders and win more funding awards than ever before.
CCADV members provide a range of critical support services, such as counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning, lethality assessment, information and referrals, and more to help survivors navigate crisis situations and support services.
The 12-person team at CCADV supports its members with:
• Training and technical assistance on best practices
• Guidance and oversight for everyday operations
• State and national advocacy for policies, laws, and funding
• Strategic collaborations to raise awareness about domestic violence, ensure consistent responses statewide, and offer community education
A Hard Sell
CCADV was in search of a way to streamline their processes and use of data. Their members were submitting client and service information in paper files that staff regularly compiled into reports, but they were limited in how they could collect and use statewide data. The organization’s leaders realized that there were ways to be more efficient and accurate, and they saw the potential of the Efforts to OutcomesTM (ETO) system to better capture the range of domestic violence services being provided in the state and enhance reporting to partners, funders, and other key stakeholders. Upon purchasing ETO, CCADV also decided to take on statewide data management for the first time ever.
It was a difficult transition, however. During initial implementation,there was a split between those who understood the promise of the
new system and others who continued to have significant challenges using it in their programs and shelters. These challenges put a strain on longstanding relationships between CCADV and its members. At that point, CCADV sought support and was referred to Exact Change Strategies (ECS). Their hope was that ECS could address their immediate reporting needs as well as identify knowledge gaps,troubleshoot problems, and ultimately create a highly functional system for all users.
Identifying Solutions Together
CCADV and ECS began working together immediately to identify problem areas and make key improvements in the ETO site to mitigate difficulties and increase efficiency. ECS took the time to understand how those in the field were using the system as well as those analyzing reports and results. Together, ECS team members and CCADV leaders held regular meetings to discuss ongoing improvements, address roadblocks, and assess the impact of system improvements. In essence, ECS restructured the system so that it was customized to meet the various needs and requirements of the CCADV team.
The Impact
A short time after the process with ECS began, CCADV leaders noticed a shift: field staff and members had an increased buy in around data collection and the ETO system. This was leading to other tangible impacts. Not only did complaints about ETO decline dramatically, but CCADV leaders saw they were better able to capture and confirm the range of domestic violence services being provided in Connecticut. Not only were their members providing more services than previously thought, CCADV had a newfound confidence in and ability to report on its data.
CCADV and its members now have a robust data system that will serve them well into the future. CCADV is able to support its members and
the essential domestic violence services in the state more than ever before. Their partnership with ECS will not stop there; after enhancing their ETO site, CCADV determined that they could streamline their work even further by developing a comprehensive performance management framework. They envision limitless impact and potential.
Exact Change Strategies is an excellent organization
that understands the non-profit sector, data and outcomes. The technical assistance and support provided allowed our organization to build a much better ETO product and an improved return on investment.