Group Efforts, Part Eight: Meet IDC’s New Part B Data Manager Connection

00:00:01.52 You're listening to A Date with Data with your host, Amy Bitterman.

00:00:07.34 >> Hey, it's Amy, and I'm so excited to be hosting "A Date with Data." I'll be chatting with state and district special education staff who, just like you, are dealing with IDEA data every day.

00:00:19.50 >> "A Date with Data" is brought to you by the IDEA Data Center.

00:00:24.88 >> Hello! Welcome to "A Date with Data." We are continuing our series about IDC Peer Groups. These groups are facilitated by IDC TA providers to bring state role groups together to discuss and collaborate around data quality issues that are important in states. For this episode, I am joined by the facilitators of the new Part B Data Manager connection group, Kelley Blas and Kristen DeSalvatore. Thank you, both, so much for being on and welcome.

00:00:55.85 >> Thank you, Amy, for having us.

00:00:58.05 >> Thanks, Amy.

00:00:59.29 >> To get us started, can you talk about what these peer groups are like—who participates, and what the structure or format looks like?

00:01:17.69 >> The Part B New Data Manager Connection is a space for folks that are new to their role to network, collaborate, and learn from each other. It’s a place of learning and growth, where people can open up about the struggles they’re having and truly grow and learn from each other.

00:01:42.91 >> It’s designed for people who are brand-new to their job or haven’t been in the job for a long time. It’s a nice space for them to come and ask questions they might not want to ask in a larger group.

00:02:05.98 >> We also have veteran Data Managers that call in every month, which is helpful because they can share knowledge and experience. We meet virtually twice a month. The first meeting is a topical call where we go deep into a topic, share resources, and sometimes invite states to present. We always look at the upcoming task list and make sure Data Managers are aware of upcoming dates. Kristen, do you want to talk about the office hours call?

00:02:43.42 >> The second meeting every month is office hours—a blank slate hour for folks to ask questions, air concerns, and clear up confusion. It’s their time and space to get guidance or opinions—anything kind of goes.

00:03:24.71 >> Great! What themes are you hearing come up during these calls?

00:04:11.17 >> We try to be strategic and think about the calendar and what’s coming up. We talk about 616 and 618 data collections, the SPP/APR, DMS 2.0, SEA determinations, and data visualizations. A key theme is how overwhelmed new Data Managers feel—learning due dates, requirements, calculations, and everything that comes with the job. Many may not realize how much support is available through TA centers like IDC and through peers.

00:05:27.33 >> Time management is huge. We ask veteran Data Managers to share strategies and best practices. We use strategic planning to help new Data Managers focus on what they should be looking at this month, what to be prepared for, and what to expect.

00:06:28.64 >> Are there hot topics right now?

00:06:36.51 >> Data visualization is a big one—how to build dashboards and make them accessible. States share their dashboards, and then network one-on-one. We also cover anything new that comes up, like Indicator 18 and what it means for people collecting the data.

00:07:23.78 >> Determinations are another big topic—how things are calculated, and how to make data digestible for stakeholders and other SEA staff.

00:07:56.13 >> What tips or recommendations come up during these calls?

00:08:20.52 >> A big one is to access TA support. The level of support is deeper than many realize, and there are universal resources that can help even if states don’t have time for intensive support. Also, states are very intuitive about developing tools and resources, and they’re usually willing to share lessons learned and resources—whether it’s time management tips or building accessible data visualizations.

00:09:50.78 >> Lean into IDC and learn about resources—or contact your IDC state liaison and ask for help. You don’t have to go it alone, and a lot is available at no cost to states.

00:10:57.28 >> One very big tip: come to the meetings.

00:11:06.00 >> The Data Processes Toolkit comes up often. States share that developing data processes and protocols with IDC facilitation is very helpful—having clear steps to follow each year, reducing mistakes and stress, and building relationships across agency staff who don’t normally work together. It helps with preparation for things like DMS and reduces anxiety about the work that has to be completed.

00:12:27.81 >> If anyone wants to learn more, reach out to your state liaisons. If you’re a new Data Manager and want to join the group, contact us. It’s a great way to collaborate—especially if you’re the only one doing this work in your state.

00:13:38.01 >> To access podcast resources, submit questions related to today’s episode, or share ideas for future topics, the links are in the episode content, or connect with us via the podcast page on the IDC website at ideadata.org.