Leveraging data-driven decision-making to add access points to a resource-distribution network for at-risk populations in Los Angeles during COVID-19

The Foundation's Data for Healthy Communities initiative was designed to create the conditions in communities that allow all residents to reach their best possible health and well-being by: (1) strengthening the evidence base for how conditions of place impact health; (2) extending the use of data and evidence throughout the decision-making process, including policy; (3) using data collection and analysis to bring communities closer together by building the capacity of places to use data, develop leaders, and genuinely engage their community; and (4) developing norms, behaviors, and formal rules of interaction related to how data are communicated and used to address problems and initiate change in underserved communities.This project will document the impact of alternative access points and pathways to resource distributions, rendering new levels of community-driven data that unlocks policy change opportunities. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Para Los Niños launched a resource distribution network that creates additional access points and pathways to reduce gaps and increase family well-being. The distribution hubs provide food, baby items, and essential supplies to over 800 families. The non-hub partners participate in the network by referring families to the hubs and ensuring that families get connected to child care; physical and mental health services; and other safety-net services. Deliverables for this project will include: (1) a data dashboard highlighting findings and the experiences of community residents who are navigating current pathways to access services and resources; (2) capacity building in the form of increasing community residents' ability to interpret and use data to shape policy recommendations; and (3) a policy brief that presents data findings and recommendations. P