Dynamic Data: Communicated Results in Ways that Reach Diverse

AudiencesBetsy Olson

Jessie Potterton

What is SWYS?The Southwest Youth Survey (SWYS) was created to gain valuable information about the teen population in order to more efficiently address the needs of local teens, families and communities. Specifically the surveys attempt to address the needs of youth by providing reliable information on a few key questions:

– What are the most serious problems faced by teens in the area?

– How widespread are the problems? – Are there any clues as to the causes and

possible solutions for the problems? – What can we do to help?

History

1989

1 county

1,440 students

6 schools

1 county

2,423 students

8 schools

1993

1 county

2,835 students

7 schools

1997

3 counties

5,704 students

19 schools

2001

4 counties

3, 828 students

15 schools

2005

5 counties

5,776 students

25 schools

2009

History of SWYS

• Begun by Dr. Stephen Small at UW-Madison

• Tom Schmitz• Grows each cycle• Collaboration is key

FEELINGS OF DISSATISFACTIONTeens who respond, “agree” or “strongly agree” with the

statement, “sometimes I feel my life has no purpose:”

SCHOOL SATISFACTION AND CURRENT DRUG USELevel of school satisfaction compared with 30-day use

and non-use of marijuana, methamphetamines and prescription drugs.

Percentage of teens and their responses to the question “Parents know what internet sites I

visit or games I play”:

During the past 30 days, how many times did you consume alcohol?

73

14

67

None

1-2 times

3-5 times

6 or more

So, what do we do if didn’t do a survey in our county?

• Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

• Department of Public Instruction (DPI)• Applied Population Lab (APL)• Wisstat• Any other ideas?

What do you do with the data?

• Teens Today–Short “snippets” of information, highlighting some of the data–Teens Today were sent to local media (newspaper, magazine, radio, and put on website)

Teens Today example

What do you do with the data?

• Placemats/Table tents

What do you do with the data?

• “Parents Make A Difference” Newsletter–Monthly newsletter submitted to schools

to be included in school newsletter, added to school websites, etc.

–Most popular product of SWYS– Topics will receive at least one, if not

two, newsletters (technology = tech and cyberbullying)

Parents Make A Difference Newsletters

What do you do with the data?

• Website– Houses all information from current and

past SWYS surveys– www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/grant/tap/

index.htm

• News Articles (radio, paper)

What do you do with the data?

What do you do with the data?

• Handouts for County Board

What do you do with the data?

Full report• SWYS Report, Presentations and News on a CD• Introduction, Executive Summary, Administration of Survey,

and Acknowledgements • Chapters:

– 1. Demographics, – 2. Tobacco Use– 3. Alcohol Use– 4. Other Drug Use– 5. Teen Sexuality– 6. Mental Health– 7. Personal Safety– 8. Family Relationships

  • Appendices   Appendix A. Instrument Development, Reliability and Validity;

Appendix B. References

– 9. Time Use and Peers– 10. Teens and

Technology – 11. School– 12. Community– 13. Indicators of

Positive Youth Development

What do you do with the data?• Presentations– School—classes, teachers, school board,

school counselors– Foster Grandparents– School Administration– CESA– County Board– Special Interest groups– CARE/Tobacco Free Council– Prevent Suicide Groups– Human Services/Social Services– Sheriff’s Department– Parent School Groups (PTA, PEP)

What do you do with the data?

• What other ways can you think of presenting this type of information?

What audiences have we reached?

• Parent groups• Community Partners• Teachers/staff• Students• County Board• School Board• County Departments

Presentation Challenges

• Confidentiality of schools• Promoting the opportunity of presenting• Creativity of new presentation• Keeping audience engaged• Promoting opportunities to take action• Data can get “stale” (4 years)• Sifting through data to find impactful

information (smoking in 1999 vs. 2009)

Challenges with the survey

• Collaborating across five counties (don’t take this on yourself!)

• Confidentiality of schools• Validity/Reliability• Cost for schools• Compiling/tabulating results• Administration of survey (during hours)• Active vs. passive consent• Institution Review Board Approval• Distribution of reports

Questions?

• Betsy Olson, Grant County 4-H Youth Development Agent– betsy.olson@ces.uwex.edu

• Jessie Potterton, Lafayette County 4-H Youth Development Educator– jessica.potterton@ces.uwex.edu