SSP Indicators Implementation Guide: Background and Methods
Contents
Overview
This project came from conversations the SHaRP team regularly has with SSPs about good practices for data collection and which data to collect. This guide was informed by conversations with SSPs and funders, an analysis of state SSP data requirements, a convening with SSP staff, participants, and funders, and a workgroup and public share back that resulted from the convening.
Background
Methods
Literature Review and Stakeholder Conversations
The indicators project was divided into three phases. Phase 1 consisted of a
literature review and formative conversations with SSPs, state health departments,
and non-state funders. The literature review included 41 peer-reviewed articles,
white papers, and grey literature from harm reduction programs and drug user
organizers. The review, summarized here, focused on good and ethical data
practices at harm reduction programs and recommended harm reduction data
indicators.
In-person Stakeholder Convening
In June 2023, we hosted a two-day community meeting in Illinois to propose and discuss data indicators that can be ethically and reliably collected at syringe services programs (SSPs).
This in-person convening brought together people engaged in harm reduction services and representatives of organizations that provide harm reduction services, as well as a limited number of harm reduction researchers, government representatives, and funders. Attendees contributed their perspective on data collection within SSPs, develop recommendations, and work towards agreement about recommended standard SSP indicators.
Convening Findings
During the convening several themes emerged around data collection, relationships with funders, programmatic autonomy, and data ethics that the group felt were essential to accompany recommended indicators. The below document includes a list of concepts the workgroup developed that now serve as the findings from the convening. These findings are meant to be read and understood prior to reviewing the indicators that have been vetted and approved by workgroup members.
Pre-convening materials
If you would like to review materials that outline some of the concepts that were used at the meeting to introduce indicators that could potentially be ethically collected at SSPs, you may read the packet provided to convening attendees below.
Public Feedback Process
On November 15th, 2023, we hosted a virtual meeting to share our preliminary results with the public for the first time. During this meeting, we shared what has been accomplished so far and the next steps in terms of collecting additional input from stakeholders within the harm reduction community to finalize recommendations. If you would like to watch the recording of the share-back, you can view it here.
Slides from the meeting can be downloaded below.
The draft list of indicators we discussed can be found below.
SHaRP Salons: Community Conversations on Harm Reduction Data
The University of Washington Supporting Harm Reduction Programs (SHaRP) Team, in partnership with The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), hosted a three-part online discussion series in early 2024, SHaRP Salons: Community Conversations on Harm Reduction Data.
Each hourlong meeting focused on data-related challenges common to harm reduction programs in the US and consisted of short introductory presentations followed by facilitated discussions among participants. While all are welcome to attend, these discussions will be oriented toward harm reduction program staff and people who use drugs. Meetings were not recorded, and a summary of main points from each session is posted below.
Sessions:
Thursday, February 29, 2024: How can we improve our data quality?
The SHaRP Team briefly outlined recommendations and good practices for high-quality, low-barrier data collection and facilitated a conversation among Salon participants to share lessons learned and on-the-ground expertise. Slides from the call and a report back on the discussion are below.
Thursday, March 14: Sharing data with community and participants
The SHaRP Team introduced considerations and recommendations for data dissemination and fostered discussion among Salon participants about common challenges and methods of sharing program data publicly. Slides from the call and a report back on the discussion are below.
Thursday, March 28: Asking sensitive questions
The SHaRP Team facilitated a discussion on some of the most sensitive data points common to harm reduction programs. Harm reduction program participants often find themselves at the nexus of multiple criminalized identities, and programs are often tasked with using data to advocate for social change while respecting participant dignity, autonomy, and privacy. Focusing on recommended indicators from their community-informed SSP Indicators project, the SHaRP team solicited recommendations and challenges associated with data points on structural violence and overdose.
The UW SHaRP team is no longer funded by the National Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Center (NHRTAC) and this project is not associated with NHRTAC.