What checks and balances are in place to ensure that the ETO data are reliable?
We have two mechanisms in place to ensure accurate and reliable data in ETO for all of LAYC’s programs. First, when LAYC staff are trained in ETO, they are told that data collection is being done to improve services for their clients. We purposively involve staff in creating and designing all data collection tools so they are as user friendly as possible. We also train staff on the usefulness of data. In this way, we try to build high data quality and on-going quality control into the belief system of each staff person. We teach them that accurate data collection is the best way to improve services for clients in the long term. Second, LAYC’s Learning and Evaluation staff perform regular quality control checks on all types of data (demographic, output, and outcome) to look for anomalies or inaccurate data. For example, today (March 23, 2009) I looked at address/zip code information for all of our active participants. I found that one participant had an Alaska zip code, and a few had Ne
