ABSTRACT
This chapter provides professionals with clear and practical guidelines for managing data in a variety of mental health service settings. It discusses different levels or types of data professionals may encounter, including options for tracking that information and provides guidance regarding elements of a strong data management plan. The chapter explores practical strategies for housing aggregate data, enhancing compliance, dealing with missing data, and protecting privacy in accordance with legal and ethical requirements. The types and levels of data professional’s access will depend on the nature of their evaluation activity. Data from needs assessments or focus groups may be an important part of program development and evaluation. These data are rarely part of the clinical record or systems-level data, yet they need to be maintained in a manner that protects privacy and enhances utility. Consumer- and system-level data are frequently used for program evaluation and quality improvement practices. All data management plans must include methods for ensuring consumer privacy.
