Guidance and Resources
The University of Washington SHaRP team is part of the CDC’s Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Program. The SHaRP team at UW specializes in providing technical assistance for collecting data to inform planning, implementation, and evaluation at syringe service programs (SSPs). Examples of technical assistance that the SHaRP team provides includes, administering point-in-time surveys, setting up data collection systems, analyzing data, and implementing qualitative methods.
Technical Assistance
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.
Estimating Individual Syringe Coverage at Syringe Services Programs (last updated: July 25, 2023)
Syringe coverage is an indicator that can help SSPs and other stakeholders estimate if people who inject drugs have enough syringes to reduce risks of infections and vein damage. This guidance is focused on calculating syringe coverage for the participants of one program and for sub-groups of participants of a program (e.g. participants who are unhoused). Health departments and researchers who work with SSPs could use this information to meaningfully engage with harm reduction staff to survey people who inject drugs and assess resource gaps. This guidance is supplemented by an example spreadsheet and a brief summary of the evidence to support needs-based syringe distribution.
The recording of the webinar launching this TA can be found here.
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 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.
Population Size Estimation of People Who Inject Drugs: An Overview of Methodologies (last updated: March 4, 2024)
This document provides an overview of the different methods and considerations for estimating the size of the population who injects drugs. It is primarily intended for local health departments, academia, and other community-based organizations.
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.
Webinars and Trainings
Using M&E to Better Serve Your Community: A Four-Part Webinar Series for Health Departments and SSPs in collaboration with the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO). These webinars, held over the course of 2021 and 2022 covered topics including client-centered models for M&E, statewide data systems, data dashboards for M&E, and the launch of the Point in Time Survey Toolkit.
What Can Your Data Do for You? in collaboration with AIDS United and the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO). July 6, 2022. (Slides available here.)