Transform Consulting Group partners with clients to better understand their target populations, assess needs, and develop actionable recommendations. Our research and analysis services include needs assessments, literature reviews, and technical report development.
Our approach follows several key steps that are relevant for anyone conducting a needs assessment or preparing technical reports:
- Define the audience. Identify who will read the report and how they will use the information.
- Determine key indicators. Specify the information to collect and the questions to answer.
- Decide on the format. Choose whether to present findings as a slide deck with visuals, a formal written report, or a concise dashboard.
Below are case studies highlighting how we have supported clients with these services.
Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) – Annual Report
Transform Consulting Group provides project management support for ELAC, including assistance with the annual needs assessment on early education program quality and availability in Indiana. After completing the fourth annual assessment, we have seen significant progress in the quality of data collected and reported by following the outlined steps.
ELAC has identified 16 key indicators to track annually, as shown in the dashboard. To support local coalitions, we launched the ELAC County Early Childhood Profile, providing each of Indiana’s 92 counties with data on the accessibility and affordability of high-quality early childhood education. This information guides best-practice recommendations. Recognizing that policymakers have limited time, we developed a concise Executive Summary and enhanced the report’s visual appeal using Tableau charts and graphics. We have also supported ELAC in producing technical reports, such as Indiana’s Early Childhood Program Funding Analysis, to inform their stakeholders.
Indiana Head Start State Collaboration Office – Needs Assessment Report
Each Head Start State Collaboration Office is tasked with conducting a needs assessment of Early Head Start and Head Start grantees, based on specific priorities set by the federal Office of Head Start and the State Collaboration Office. Transform Consulting Group helped Indiana’s Head Start State Collaboration Office complete the 2016 Head Start Needs Assessment. The audience for this report included multiple stakeholders from state partners to Head Start grantees.
The needs assessment aimed to analyze the landscape of Head Start grantees in Indiana, identify key findings to support collaboration, and offer recommendations for future planning. We used data from the Head Start Program Information Report to develop two tools: a map of Head Start grantees and a table summarizing grants statewide. We also collected feedback from grantees on strengths, gaps, and opportunities related to federal and state priorities. These efforts informed recommendations that guided the state’s five-year strategic plan.
Indiana Happy Babies Brain Trust – Infant Toddler Issue Brief
The Indiana Happy Babies Brain Trust (HBBT) workgroup was established in 2014 with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Zero to Three to raise awareness about infants and toddlers in Indiana. A key priority was developing an issue brief to highlight the needs of the youngest Hoosiers and propose solutions for their healthy development.
Transform Consulting Group partnered with the HBBT workgroup for a year to produce the technical report, “Getting Ready for School Begins at Birth.” The report presents key research findings, an overview of Indiana children ages 0-3, and recommended solutions, including both immediate actions and long-term strategies.
If your organization needs assistance with technical reports or needs assessments, please contact us at (317) 324-4070.
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