Child and Youth Data Laboratory: Edmonton, AB, 418 pages.
The Child and Youth Data Laboratory (CYDL) analyzes and interprets linked administrative data from child- and youth-serving ministries in the Government of Alberta. The data are linked across ministries, at the level ofthe individual child or youth. Minstry involvement at all stages ensures policy relevance.
CYDL’s research projects provide groundbreaking opportunities to understand relationships between many of the factors critical to children’s lives, in broad-use areas such as health and education as well as more specialized services such as justice system contact or receipt of income support. The research results make unique contributions to the knowledge base on the well-being of children and youth, and can be used for enriched policy and program development and evaluation.
Project One is focused on basic understanding of the experiences of Albertan youth 12 to 24 years old in 2008/09. Service use data were provided by the ministries, and individuals receiving services from different ministries were linked by an anonymous process. A series of 15 short reports on policy-relevant topics has been produced (e.g., “Mental health status of Albertan youth”, “Maltreatment-related investigations among Albertan youth”, “Corrections involvement among Albertan youth”, etc.).
It is expected that the results of Project One will generate further research questions, to be explored in subsequent projects. The second planned project extends Project One by looking at the experiences of youth in Alberta over a six-year time period, so that we can begin to develop more detailed insight into the factors that shape our youth as they develop. Future projects will be shaped by these two projects.
The Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research manages The Child and Youth Data Laboratory (CYDL). The CYDL links and analyses Government of Alberta administrative data to inform policy. Find out more at: www.research4children.com.