AMES Data Core
The purpose of the AMES Data Core is to provide services for military, veterans, and first responder organizations regarding the collection, storage, and use of data. They develop and implement data-driven solutions to behavioral and occupational health concerns. They advocate for the use of best practices in data collection and management to support the mission of AMES and to promote informed decision-making and policy development. Their services include:
- Providing technical assistance regarding safe and ethical collection and storage of data.
- Providing data analysis, visualization, and interpretation services.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of behavioral health programming or other research and outreach services.
Data Core Personnel
Recent, Upcoming, or Ongoing Work by the Data Core
AMES Data Core Builds a Data Dashboard to Enhance Suicide Prevention Efforts
Those who aim to promote mental health and prevent suicide often turn to research
to make informed decisions, but it can be challenging to wait until an academic paper
is published to understand current needs and risk factors related to suicide among
service members, veterans, and their family members. In collaboration with the Georgia
Department of Veterans Service, the AMES Data Core created a Data Dashboard to translate
and visualize data on risk factors for suicidality. Their dashboard translates the
results of a grant-funded assessment into a user-friendly dashboard, including a map
feature, that helps users visualize the location and intensity of suicide risk across
Georgia. The AMES Data Core states that they are excited to contribute to this project
because it provides quick and actionable information to those who make policy decisions
about the location and availability of programming and resources. The dashboard is
pictured below using simulated data.
AMES Data Core Uses a Data-Drive Approach to Understand Housing Insecurity Among Veterans
There is a widespread assumption that housing unaffordability is less of a problem
among Veterans, whether due to advantages on the labor market or programs aiming to help veterans
access housing. The AMES Data Core has leveraged data from a representative national
survey to test this assumption, finding that veterans are affected by housing unaffordability
as much as the general population in recent years, driven by increases in veteran
representation among more vulnerable subpopulations, such as female veterans or veterans
with disabilities. Ongoing and future work will also use interviews with veterans
who previously experienced homelessness to identify obstacles that keep people from
using existing resources and programs related to housing. The AMES Data Core is excited
to continue their work on this project because it is an opportunity to use data to
dispel myths, improve policies and programs, and protect those at higher risk of homelessness.