Projects using the Data Innovation Program open

Workforce Development Agreement (WDA) Programs that support youth at risk and victims of violence target populations

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training is developing a performance measurement and evaluation framework to create skills training programs that meet the needs British Columbians. This project will help create accessible, affordable and equitable education and skills training opportunities. Specifically, this project will help us learn how to improve education and training services for youth, including youth at risk and victims of target populations. This work will look at the factors that may play a part in how vulnerable youth experience the workforce such as level of education, health and wellness (including mental health), and their involvement with government-funded services and programs.

Project main contact: Tatiana Kim, Performance Evaluation Analyst, Workforce Innovation and Skills Training, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training

Linked datasets:

• Community Living BC
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Services
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

In Care Network for Children and Youth in Care

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Children and Family Development is undertaking an integrated data project to better understand the needs of children and youth under the guardianship of the ministry, now and in the future. Descriptive statistics derived from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education data will be used to provide insight on children and youth’s needs. This insight will subsequently be used to better support populations of children and youth while they are in care by providing better informed services and supports, as well as improving access to appropriate services, where and when they are needed.

Project main contact: Steven Yong, A/Manager, Economic Analysis and Research, Ministry of Children and Family Development

Linked datasets:

• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health

Learning more about Data Innovation Program datasets and developing analytical tools

Status: In progress

Through this project, the ministry’s data scientists and data science fellows aim to learn more about the de-identified data collected and used under the Data Innovation Program so they can improve the program’s analytic concepts, policies, services and technology. The program supports government in understanding B.C.’s complex issues, helping to generate an evidence base for decision-making, which can ultimately lead to better programs and services for citizens. This project aligns with the ministry’s 2019/20 service plan: the strategy to establish and promote data-driven partnerships across government.

Project main contact: Cindy Wang, Senior Policy Analyst, Digital Platforms and Data Division, Ministry of Citizens’ Services

Linked datasets:

• Community Living BC
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

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Impacts of Significant Climate-Related Events on Use of Government Services – A Feasibility Project

Status: In progress

The Province of British Columbia is developing a Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy to ensure that communities have the support they need to be prepared and adapt to climate change. Similar to other jurisdictions, there is currently a lack of region-specific data or information on the physical and mental health or economic impacts of climate change for different populations within British Columbia. This feasibility project will explore the development of an analytical method using integrated British Columbia administrative data to characterize the impact of a significant climate-related event on the use of government services related to health and well-being. The project will fill identified data gaps in understanding the needs of all populations within British Columbia (youth, women, elders) with the goal of supporting new or improved policy development aimed at ensuring all people in British Columbia are supported in preparing for and adapting to B.C.’s changing climate.

Project main contact: Stephanie Hazlitt, Directort, Data Science Partnership, Ministry of Citizens’ Services.

Linked datasets:

• BC Housing
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

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An Evaluation of the Strengths and Limitations of the BC Demographic Survey Data Available in the DI Program

Status: In progress

Investigating the statistical validity of the BC Demographic Survey dataset, including representativeness across key groups and regions, and determining the success of linking to other existing DI Program datasets.The BC Demographic Survey dataset is being ingested into the DI Program to link the demographic data to existing government program and service datasets. This will enable detailed analyses using de-identified data within projects aimed at addressing systemic racism and inequities in government programs and services for racialized groups, including distinctions-based approach to analyses. Our project will examine how effective the data collection and ingestion processes were in producing a reliable enough sample needed to identify systemic racism in government programs and services (e.g., Health, Education etc.). Evaluation will include how well the sample represents province-wide population based on key demographics from the latest Census data. Based on the records that link to the Central Demographics File, changes in the characteristics of those in the sample after ingestion into the DI Program will also be assessed. Understanding the limitations and applications of the BC Demographic Survey data will allow researchers to better interpret their findings and should lead to more complete and/or better quality and coverage of the underlying information used to conduct such analyses. This in turn will benefit the public by ensuring greater quality of research into the topic area of systemic racism and government services.

Project main contact: Lindsay Fredrick, Senior Data Scientist, Data Science Partnership, Ministry of Citizens’ Services.

Linked datasets:

• BC Family Maintenance Agency
• Community Living BC
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Minitry of Citizens' Services
• Ministry of Education and Child Care
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

Numbers Speak: Experiences of Racialized K-12 Students in B.C.

Status: In progress

The Indigenous Governing Entities and the Anti-Racism Data Committee identified systemic racism in B.C.’s education as a problem based on existing reports and on what they hear from communities. Systemic racism is present when students of certain racial or ethnic backgrounds are consistently disadvantaged in the type, amount, and quality of services they receive. Systemic racism in education adversely impacts student well-being and learning outcomes and needs to be eliminated. Understanding and raising awareness of systemic racism and its impacts is the first step towards eliminating it. Currently, there is a lack of publicly available reports describing K-12 experiences and outcomes of students impacted by systemic racism in B.C. This project will begin addressing this knowledge gap by producing statistics on first time grade 12 graduation rates, diverse needs designation rates, and student self-reported inclusion experiences for racialized students, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and students who are English language learners. The project will leverage the newly available BC Demographic Survey data to produce these statistics at a higher level of disaggregation than was previously available. The analysis will also consider other factors that may impact student experiences and outcomes, including parental socio-economic status and students’ age and gender.

Project main contact: Stephanie Hazlitt, Director, Data Science Partnership, Ministry of Citizens’ Services.

Linked datasets:

• Minitry of Citizens' Services
• Ministry of Education and Child Care
• Ministry of Health

Improving health outcomes through attachment to a primary care provider

Status: In progress

This project will link Ministry of Health data with socio-economic data from other ministries in order to learn more about the characteristics of people who do not have a primary care provider (“unattached”). This analysis will guide the development of processes and policies that support and encourage primary care relationships – helping to improve health outcomes for British Columbians. This project aligns with the ministry’s commitment to advancing B.C.’s health services to ensure British Columbians are supported in their efforts to maintain and improve their health. The project also helps deliver a current government initiative to implement primary care networks to improve access to and the delivery of primary care across the province.

Project main contact: Eric Larson, Executive Director, Integrated Analytics: Primary Care, Acute Care and Workforce, Health Sector Information Analysis and Reporting, Ministry of Health

Linked datasets:

• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

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Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Study (PCSS)

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Health is undertaking this study to better understand the circumstances surrounding injuries and deaths to pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users who are outside of a motor vehicle such as persons who use e-scooters, mobility devices, are employed as flag persons and others. By utilizing a large number of linked datasets across government, this study involves an unprecedented type of investigation into the safety of the most vulnerable road users. The project team intends to use detailed information across a number of datasets to identify road infrastructure, road types, speed limits, road rules, driver errors, vehicle types and other elements that create either protective or risk factors in terms of these collisions. At the same time, information about income, education and other available equity-related indicators will be used to help quantify the extent to which sub-populations are disproportionately impacted by traffic accidents and trauma outcomes.

Project main contact: Neil Arason, Director, Injury Prevention & Healthy Settings, Ministry of Health

Linked datasets:

• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

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Health Outcomes Across BC Patient Subpopulations

Status: In progress

The Indigenous Governing Entities and the Anti-Racism Data Committee identified systemic racism in B.C.'s healthcare system as a problem based on existing reports and on what they hear from communities. Systemic racism is present when residents of certain racial or ethnic backgrounds are consistently disadvantaged in the type, amount, and quality of services they receive. Systemic racism in healthcare adversely impacts access to health care services and health outcomes and needs to be eliminated. Understanding and raising awareness of systemic racism and its impacts is the first step towards eliminating it. Currently, there is a lack of publicly available reports describing health service use and outcomes for distinct racial groups in the province and for First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations. This initial project will begin addressing this knowledge gap by producing statistics on the prevalence of chronic conditions based on related health service use. This information will help improve understanding of racial differences in chronic disease prevalence and act as a basis for future phases of research on chronic disease prevention and management. The Anti-Racism Data Committee and the Indigenous Governing Entities will have an opportunity to review the results before public release.

Project main contact: Brett Wilmer, Director, Provincial Statistics, Ministry of Citizens' Services

Linked datasets:

• Minitry of Citizens' Services
• Ministry of Health

Basic Income Study

Status: In progress

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is undertaking an integrated data project to characterize the income, health and other outcomes for groups in or near poverty. The data will also be used to examine the effectiveness of previous policies in B.C. that share elements of a basic income.

Project main contact: Robert Bruce, Executive Director, Research Branch, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Linked datasets:

• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Recent publications:

• Basic income report - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/poverty-reduction-strategy/basic-income-report

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Preventing and reducing homelessness

Status: In progress

This project will link data from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and BC Housing to identify the cohort of people who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless in B.C. This includes demographic information, pathways into homelessness, and the cross-government interventions that helped them exit homelessness. Establishing this integrated data set supports government’s actions on homelessness and poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC. Insights from this project could help government evaluate the effectiveness of its policy and program decisions and improve services for British Columbians.

Project main contact: Steve Forland, Manager, Analytics and Business Intelligence, Office of Homelessness Coordination, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Linked datasets:

• BC Housing
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

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Historical profile of government service utilization related to poverty and homelessness in Vancouver and the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.

Status: In progress

Through this project, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction will learn more about the homeless and low-income populations in Vancouver and the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. Specifically, data will be collected to understand how the homeless and low-income populations use government services and how their service use has changed over time. This work will help the Province improve service delivery in the Downtown Eastside, guide effective social policy development, and promote evidence-based decision-making to reduce poverty and revitalize the Downtown Eastside. This project aligns with the numerous ministry priorities by addressing housing, mental health and addictions.

Project main contact: Dr. Craig Hutton, Data Science Fellow, Data Science and Analytics branch, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Linked datasets:

• BC Housing
• Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Statistics Canada

Every maternal death counts: driving safety in pregnant and post-partum women

Status: In progress

Motor vehicle crashes are a common reason why Canadian women die in pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Yet, these deaths aren't counted in most efforts to track and prevent maternal deaths, because the conventional definition of "maternal death" excludes deaths due to accidents. There is growing recognition, however, that we should try to monitor and prevent all deaths to new mothers, not just those that fit into the conventional definition of a maternal death.

The first step towards preventing maternal deaths from motor vehicle crashes is to understand if, when, and which women are at increased risk of motor vehicle accidents in pregnancy or shortly after delivery. We will do this by linking British Columbia motor vehicle collision claims records with the province's population health databases, including the British Columbia Perinatal Data Registry, which will provide us with pregnancy-related information. We will compare a woman's risk of being in a motor vehicle crash during pregnancy compared with other women in the province who weren't pregnant, and to the same woman a year prior to her pregnancy to determine if women are more likely to have a motor vehicle accident when pregnant. We will examine if certain pregnancy-related conditions, such as twin pregnancies or anemia (both of which could make a woman more fatigued) increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash.

Project Main Contact:
Dr. Jennifer Hutcheon
Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Population Health
Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Linked Datasets:

• ICBC
• Ministry of Attorney General
• Ministry of Health
• Provincial Health Services Authority
• Statistics Canada

ACCESS: Assessing the Continuum of Care and Eligibility for Services and Supports for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and their Families

Status: In progress

Persons with a neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) are a vulnerable population who experience more mental health problems and poorer health outcomes relative to those without disability. For the 1 in 11 youth in Canada with NDD, a multitude of services are provided (primarily by provincial governments) to address activity limitations, improve health outcomes and facilitate full participation in society. Unfortunately, many youth and families struggle to access needed services. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlighted that realized access (actual use of services provided) is particularly low in Canada -- 20-30 percent utilization by those eligible. Project ACCESS: Assessing the Continuum of Care and Eligibility for Services and Supports for Children with  Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and their Families aims to co-design policy recommendations to improve realized access to services for youth with NDD, by measuring realized access and describing experiences of youth and caregivers applying to services, across ministries and the life course. We have partnered with youth and family advisors to identify challenges to realized access to services. We aim to evaluate different cross-ministry priorities and mandates, inconsistent policies and a lack of data on service use provided across the continuum of care.

Project Main Contact:
Jennifer Zwicker, PhD, MPP
Director, Health Policy
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology
Canada Research Chair (II) Disability Policy for Children and Youth

Linked Datasets:

• Community Living BC
• Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
• Ministry of Attorney General
• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• Provincial Health Services Authority
• Statistics Canada