“Tell me about your outcomes.”

This is the question that causes many behavioral health leaders face to freeze. Shoot! you think. I know we’re doing great work, but I feel like we just can’t quantify it!

“We’ve got lots of data. I see the change in our youth every day - just come by and visit one of our programs, and you’ll see it too!”

You know it’s just an ok answer. When funders and other community partners experience and see your work, they’re more likely to get involved and support you.

Youth substance use is a complex and evolving issue that presents significant challenges for communities across the United States. In Charlotte, NC, the Center for Prevention Services (CPS) has been at the forefront of addressing this issue through data-driven approaches. 

One of their most powerful tools has been the Youth Drug Survey (YDS), a survey tool for understanding substance use patterns among youth and shaping prevention strategies. This blog post shares CPS’s experience in designing and refining the YDS offers valuable lessons for creating effective youth substance use surveys.