Getting Started
Below are all SHaRP TA resources that may be useful to folks who are getting started with monitoring and evaluation at SSPs or harm reduction programs.
Brief Overview of Data Privacy & Security Considerations at Harm Reduction Programs (last updated: May 23, 2024)
This document introduces issues data privacy and security considerations for SSPs and harm reduction programs, including the defining anonymous services and confidential services, a brief overview of HIPAA and covered entities, good practices for data privacy and security, considerations for linkage to care data, and considerations when reporting out data
Collecting Demographic Data as Syringe Services Programs (last updated: May 25, 2023)
This document introduces some issues for SSPs to consider when writing questions to collect data about race, ethnicity, and gender in order to improve accuracy, in accordance with good practices to prioritize participant safety and protect their privacy. The document also includes tips for training staff and conducting analyses.
Good Practices and Ethical Data Collection at Harm Reduction Programs: A Brief Summary (last updated: June 28, 2023)
This guidance is for harm reduction programs and for funders and others who require data from programs. This is a brief summary of good and ethical data collection and data use practices in harm reduction programs. The guidance may help programs evaluate their data collection and use practices as well as help funders and others who require harm reduction data to review which data they require.
Leveraging Informal Qualitative Data at SSPs: Video Training
Since the development of the Leveraging Informal Qualitative Data at SSPs guidance document, we’ve led multiple online and in-person trainings of the content. On this page we have video recordings of the training materials. The videos are divided into 5 sections, with each section containing one or more videos. Descriptions of each section and links to videos are detailed below. We recommend that you watch videos in order. The recording of the webinar launching this TA can be found here.
Leveraging Informal Qualitative Data Collection and Use at Syringe Services Programs (last updated: March 27, 2023)
This document provides a brief overview of some informal approaches to qualitative data collection and analysis. Specifically, this document focuses on suggestions for how to create potential systems for informal qualitative data collection and analysis at syringe services programs (SSPs), including how to develop an overall objective for data collection. By “informal” data collection, we mean data that can be largely generated from routine service interactions as opposed to formal research activities, such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, or community based participatory research.
Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit: Data Collection Methods and Pilot Testing (last updated: September 22, 2023)
The purpose of this guidance is to help syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction programs in establishing and maintaining data collection practices for program monitoring and evaluation. Programs may find this information useful if they have questions about the types of data they might collect, how they might record it, and how they might test out their methods with staff and participants. This guidance is part of a larger Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit for SSPs that will serve as a resource for programs in all stages of the monitoring and evaluation process.
Participant Input in Harm Reduction Programs (last updated: March 27, 2023)
This short document offers an overview of participant input at SSPs and a range of resources for harm reduction programs to consult when building or changing their participant input processes.
REDCap Basics for Syringe Services Programs (last updated: August 28, 2024)
This is a short guide for harm reduction programs and syringe service programs (SSPs) considering using REDCap for their data collection and management created by the Supporting Harm Reduction Programs (SHaRP) team at the University of Washington. It reviews basic information about REDCap, strengths and challenges for use with SSPs, and the main ways to access REDCap.
SSP Indicators Implementation Guide (last updated: August, 2024)
In 2023 and 2024 the SHaRP team worked to create a list of community informed indicators, or data points, that we could recommend SSPs collect. The guidance includes an introduction and webinar recording, project background and methods, detailed information on each indicator divided by topic (supply and service provision, service coverage, service quality, engagement with people who use drugs, overdose prevention, demographics, and structural violence); an implementation checklist, and a brief to funders.
Using Unique Identifiers Within Syringe Services Programs (last updated: March 10, 2023)
This guide is intended for syringe services programs (SSPs) and SSP funders to support their understanding of data collection and monitoring. It provides an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of implementing unique identifiers (UID) as a method of data collection. The guide includes considerations for SSPs considering implementing a UID system and considerations for funders who are considering requiring individual-level data from grant recipients.