Kidsdata.org Grantees Use Data
to Promote Children's Health

In 2011, the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health awarded small grants to 14 California organizations to promote the use of data to foster improvements in children's health. The grants, all of which were for approximately $10,000, were intended to encourage creative strategies for using data to raise awareness about child health issues and promote positive change. Much of the data for these projects came from kidsdata.org.

The results to date have been highly successful. Thirteen grants have been completed, resulting in a range of accomplishments on behalf of children’s health, from the creation of issue briefs and community action plans to public education efforts and targeted trainings.

• The California Friday Night Live Partnership used data for a statewide, youth-led education campaign to reduce underage drinking. Youth across the state were trained on how to use kidsdata.org to deliver presentations in their own communities. Presentations were given at numerous conferences and convenings.
  
  
• The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network expanded the Multicultural Health Web Portal to include more data on children and youth of color. The organization also produced nine county fact sheets highlighting factors that influence the health of children of color.
  
  
• The Central California Children's Institute at California State University Fresno, produced the report, “Demystifying the model minority: The importance of disaggregating subgroup data to promote success for Southeast Asian youth.” The report spotlights the need for Asian ethnic subgroup information and shares data collection approaches that can be replicated in other regions.
  
  
• The Early Identification & Intervention Collaborative for Los Angeles County held a training to use data to improve early identification and intervention efforts for young children with disabilities and developmental delays. The training included physicians, data experts, service providers across multiple sectors, advocates, and parents.
  
  
• The Health Trust assessed the state of children’s oral health in Santa Clara County, using kidsdata.org and other sources, and created an oral health education curriculum in which hundreds of community workers and parents were trained. The grant also supported data-based advocacy efforts for fluoridation in San Jose, which was approved by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
  
  
• The Northern California Educational Television Association – KIXE produced and aired four TV spots regarding the health of children based on data from kidsdata.org, reaching an estimated 74,000 households. KIXE also held 21 community workshops and events focused on parent education regarding physical health, obesity prevention, and literacy. 
  
  
• The Public Health Institute’s California Adolescent Health Collaborative produced three issue briefs on the health status of rural Latino youth in California. The briefs describe trends and inequities in rural Latino youth health outcomes and factors that can promote their health. The series has been disseminated statewide and featured in a national public health newsletter.
  
  
• The Redwood Community Health Coalition in Sonoma County developed a series of advocacy trainings for health care outreach workers, and provided presentations to community leaders on effective outreach and enrollment practices as it pertains to health reform and ensuring access to care.  Kidsdata.org was used to describe the status of children in these trainings and presentations. 
  
  
• The San Diego County Children’s Initiative completed a comprehensive report card on the status of children’s health and well being in the county. The report goes beyond data to describe effective strategies and specific recommendations to improve conditions for children.
  
  
• The San Joaquin Community Data Co-op led a series of community convenings to increase understanding of the issues affecting children’s health in Stockton and to create a guide for action. The guide outlines the needs facing children, existing services to meet those needs, and areas in which additional services are needed.  
  
  
• The Santa Barbara County KIDS Network published a newspaper insert on the health and well being of children in the county, focusing on the impact of poverty. It was included in the Santa Maria Sun and Santa Barbara Independent, reaching an estimated 140,000 readers.
  
  
• Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency used data to develop an action plan to address declining immunization rates. As part of this plan, the agency led a public education campaign, including creation of a website, materials for health care providers, radio spots, and more.
  
  
• The Youth Leadership Institute trained youth to use data from kidsdata.org for 10 advocacy presentations to community coalitions and leadership groups in the Bay Area. Presentations covered issues such as alcohol and drug use, access to healthy food, and school safety.