J-POP tests interim data dashboard; members call for interactive visuals and more housing and program outcome data

Staff demonstrated an interim data dashboard for the Justice Project during the April 16 J-POP meeting and asked for member feedback on functionality and content.

"I got really excited around the data dashboard because I thought like all that work that you have been doing had been put into like a visual dashboard that you can interact with," Miriam said, adding that the current interim product reads "like almost like a resource space" rather than an interactive, queryable dashboard. Several members asked for more charts and clearer navigation to surface key metrics such as bookings, length of stay and supportive-housing outcomes.

Staff said this release is an interim step toward a fully interactive dashboard and that a data workgroup is forming to inform the next iteration. Marty and project staff asked members to suggest specific reports and models to add; members recommended adding Bellingham Police Department arrest statistics and comparative crime metrics to support program decisions.

Speakers also warned that asking for "more data" will not produce insights without county resources dedicated to data infrastructure and analysis. "If without the county committing resources to infrastructure and staffing for the collection and analysis of data, those things will never happen," Dean said.

Members recommended the J-POP collect outcome data tied to specific program investments (for example: supportive-housing enrollments, returns to custody, recidivism timelines) to help the county model how investments in diversion, housing and the Behavioral Care Center could reduce future jail demand. The committee agreed to circulate the dashboard link and invite examples of interactive dashboards to inform the data workgroup.