Data Analysis FrameworkData Analysis Framework

Data Resources

You have access to vast amounts of data that you can use to better understand your clients, their legal needs, and the services you provide. The volume of available data can be overwhelming so this section provides advice about which data are the easiest to access and the most informative.

Internal: Case Management System

Because of the breadth of information at your fingertips, you have the unique ability to understand your clients better than most organizations.
Start by gathering whichever of these fields are in your case management system

Case Data Fields	Client Data Fields
Unique Case Identifier Legal Problem Code Open Date Close Date Case Status Close Code Outcome(s) Poverty % Persons Helped Children in Household Domestic Violence Involved	Unique Client Identifier Race Ethnicity Gender Age at Intake Language Education Level Veteran Status County and/or City

Make sure to read over the Things to Think About, which includes

Watch for data patterns
Run every data finding by staff
Dealing with difficult data
Data integrity
Factors that can skew your data

External Data Sources

Comparing internal data to external data helps to

Identify and understand unmet needs
Understand external factors that influence outcomes
Optimize and target client services and advocacy strategies

U.S. Census, American Community Survey (ACS)

Access ACS Data via the American FactFinder
What is the ACS (More Info)
- Easily accessed and readily available data source
- Can be used to measure demographic relationships
- Can be used to measure demographic trends
5-year, 3-year, 1-year estimates
- When possible, use 5-year estimates because they include the largest sample size and data from all areas, including low population areas.
- For a comparison of 5-year, 3-year, 1-year estimates, click here

Vulnerable Population Examples	Recommended U.S. Census ACS Tables
Poverty	S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS S1703 SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE AT SPECIFIED LEVELS OF POVERTY IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS Also check out: http://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/poverty.html for lots of data and analyses about poverty.
Hispanics	B17020I: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY AGE (HISPANIC OR LATINO) - Universe: Hispanic or Latino population for whom poverty status is determined S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS Also check out: http://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin.html for lots of data and analyses about Hispanics.
African Americans	B17020B: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY AGE (BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN ALONE) - Universe: Black or African American alone population for whom poverty status is determined S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Native Americans	B17001C: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY SEX BY AGE (AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE ALONE) - Universe: American Indian and Alaska Native alone population for whom poverty status is determined Also check out: https://www.census.gov/aian/
Seniors 65+	B17024: AGE BY RATIO OF INCOME TO POVERTY LEVEL IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS - Universe: Population for whom poverty status is determined S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Children (HH with Children)	B17022: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months of Families by Family Type by Presence of Related Children Under 18 Years of Age by Age of Related Children Also check out: https://www.census.gov/topics/population/children.html for lots of data, analyses, and infographics about children.
Veterans	S2101: VETERAN STATUS B21007: AGE BY VETERAN STATUS BY POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY DISABILITY STATUS FOR THE CIVILIAN POPULATION 18 YEARS AND OVER - Universe: Civilian population 18 years and over for whom poverty status is determined (C21007 shows same data in 2 groups: 18-64 and 65+) Also, check out: http://www.census.gov/topics/population/veterans.html for lots of data, analyses, and infographics about veterans.
Non-English speakers	B16009: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY AGE BY LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME FOR THE POPULATION 5 YEARS AND OVER - Universe: population 5 years and over for whom poverty status is determined Also check out: http://www.census.gov/topics/population/language-use.html for lots of data and analyses about language.
Unemployed	S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Disabled	C18131: RATIO OF INCOME TO POVERTY LEVEL IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY DISABILITY STATUS - Universe: Civilian noninstitutionalized population for whom poverty status is determined S1703 SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE AT SPECIFIED LEVELS OF POVERTY IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS Also check out: http://www.census.gov/people/disability/

Data Aggregators, examples

National:
- Urban Institute
- HUD CHAS data
State/Local (look for similar resources near you):

Other sources of raw data (will vary by location)

Courts
Cities and Counties
State Departments of:
- Aging
- Education
- Children & Family Services
- Corrections
- Veterans Services

LSNTAP|LSC