TPMA launched an interactive dashboard created in partnership with the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition (NEIECC) to display data about community childcare needs and availability in the 11-county region.
The NEIECC dashboard is a first-of-its-kind tool, providing real-time data about the childcare landscape in Northeast Indiana. Using GIS mapping, TPMA’s Research, Evaluation & Community Impact team created a platform to display types of childcare facilities, number and ages of children needing childcare in each county, family income, average childcare employee wages, housing costs and availability, and more.
“Our new dashboard helps us understand the gaps in childcare across Northeast Indiana, empowering us to make informed decisions that support families, employers, and providers,” said Allie Sutherland, Executive Director at NEIECC. “By understanding this data within the larger context of community needs, we can strategically invest in building a stronger infrastructure for all.”
NEIECC is a regional effort to connect communities and advance childcare and early education opportunities for Northeast Indiana families. NEIECC’s collaborative approach to programming has helped position the region as a leader in tackling the childcare challenge. By making data accessible to stakeholders, NEIECC and TPMA encourage further community investment in the childcare space.
“With this new tool, regional partners can identify gaps in services, understand where investments are most needed, and track progress over time,” said Brian Nottingham, Vice President at TPMA. “It’s a significant step forward for data-driven decision-making in early childhood investment and policy.”
Ready to learn more about the power of dashboarding? Register for the Childcare by the Numbers: Why Data Visualization Matters Smart Take with TPMA on June 18, at 3 p.m. EDT.