Supporting Data Systems Improvement in Tribal Home Visiting: Capacity Built and Lessons Learned

For tribal nations, effective data systems are critical to report progress to funders and support governance and sovereignty. As demonstrated through the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, federal agencies can provide American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) programs with innovative technical assistance (TA) and resources to strengthen data systems in furtherance of indigenous data sovereignty.

This brief describes the capacity-building approach of the Administration for Children and Families, which helps Tribal Home Visiting grantees strengthen their data systems through TA from the Tribal Home Visiting Evaluation Institute. It is intended for federal agencies that fund AI/AN social service programs. The brief includes—

• An overview of data system challenges and needs for tribal programs
• A summary of resources provided to grantees
• Case studies of the ways TA support improved data system capacity
• Recommendations for providing data system TA unique to tribal programs