The Southwest Youth Survey (SWYS) was created to gain information about teens' needs in local communities. It began in 1989 surveying 1,440 students across 6 schools in 1 county, and has expanded to survey over 5,700 students across 19 schools in 3 counties by 1997. The survey addresses problems faced by teens, their prevalence, and possible solutions. Results are communicated through "Teens Today" snippets, placemats, a "Parents Make a Difference" newsletter, and presentations to groups like school boards and county departments. While the survey provides valuable data, there are challenges with collaborating across multiple counties and schools, ensuring confidentiality, and managing costs.

1. Dynamic Data: Communicated
Results in Ways that Reach
Diverse Audiences
Betsy Olson
Jessie Potterton

2. What is SWYS?
The Southwest Youth Survey (SWYS) was created
to gain valuable information about the teen
population in order to more efficiently address the
needs of local teens, families and communities.
Specifically the surveys attempt to address the
needs of youth by providing reliable information
on a few key questions:
– What are the most serious problems faced by teens in
the area?
– How widespread are the problems?
– Are there any clues as to the causes and possible
solutions for the problems?
– What can we do to help?

3. History
1989
1 county
1,440
students
6 schools
1 county
2,423
students
8 schools
1993
1 county
2,835
students
7 schools
1997
3
counties
5,704
students
19
schools
2001
4 counties
3, 828
students
15 schools
2005
5 counties
5,776
students
25 schools
2009

4. History of SWYS
• Begun by Dr. Stephen Small at UW-
Madison
• Tom Schmitz
• Grows each cycle
• Collaboration is key

5. FEELINGS OF DISSATISFACTION
Teens who respond, “agree” or “strongly agree” with the
statement, “sometimes I feel my life has no purpose:”

6. SCHOOL SATISFACTION AND CURRENT DRUG USE
Level of school satisfaction compared with 30-day use and
non-use of marijuana, methamphetamines and prescription
drugs.

7. Percentage of teens and their responses to the
question “Parents know what internet sites I visit
or games I play”:

8. During the past 30 days, how many times
did you consume alcohol?
73
14
6
7
None
1-2 times
3-5 times
6 or more

9. So, what do we do if didn’t do a
survey in our county?
• Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey
(YRBS)
• Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
• Applied Population Lab (APL)
• Wisstat
• Any other ideas?

10. What do you do with the data?
• Teens Today
–Short “snippets” of information,
highlighting some of the data
–Teens Today were sent to local
media (newspaper, magazine,
radio, and put on website)

11. Teens Today example

12. What do you do with the data?
• Placemats/Table tents

13. What do you do with the data?
• “Parents Make A Difference” Newsletter
– Monthly newsletter submitted to schools to be
included in school newsletter, added to school
websites, etc.
– Most popular product of SWYS
– Topics will receive at least one, if not two,
newsletters (technology = tech and
cyberbullying)

14. Parents Make A Difference Newsletters

15. What do you do with the data?
• Website
– Houses all information from current and past
SWYS surveys
– www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/grant/tap/index.htm

16. • News Articles (radio, paper)
What do you do with the data?

18. What do you do with the data?
• Handouts for County Board

19. What do you do with the data?
Full report
• SWYS Report, Presentations and News on a CD
• Introduction, Executive Summary, Administration of Survey, and
Acknowledgements
• Chapters:
– 1. Demographics,
– 2. Tobacco Use
– 3. Alcohol Use
– 4. Other Drug Use
– 5. Teen Sexuality
– 6. Mental Health
– 7. Personal Safety
– 8. Family Relationships
• Appendices
Appendix A. Instrument Development, Reliability and Validity;
Appendix B. References
– 9. Time Use and Peers
– 10. Teens and Technology
– 11. School
– 12. Community
– 13. Indicators of Positive
Youth Development

20. What do you do with the data?
• Presentations
– School—classes, teachers, school board, school
counselors
– Foster Grandparents
– School Administration
– CESA
– County Board
– Special Interest groups
– CARE/Tobacco Free Council
– Prevent Suicide Groups
– Human Services/Social Services
– Sheriff’s Department
– Parent School Groups (PTA, PEP)

21. What do you do with the data?
• What other ways can you think of
presenting this type of information?

22. What audiences have we reached?
• Parent groups
• Community Partners
• Teachers/staff
• Students
• County Board
• School Board
• County Departments

23. Presentation Challenges
• Confidentiality of schools
• Promoting the opportunity of presenting
• Creativity of new presentation
• Keeping audience engaged
• Promoting opportunities to take action
• Data can get “stale” (4 years)
• Sifting through data to find impactful
information (smoking in 1999 vs. 2009)

24. Challenges with the survey
• Collaborating across five counties (don’t take
this on yourself!)
• Confidentiality of schools
• Validity/Reliability
• Cost for schools
• Compiling/tabulating results
• Administration of survey (during hours)
• Active vs. passive consent
• Institution Review Board Approval
• Distribution of reports

25. Questions?
• Betsy Olson, Grant County 4-H Youth
Development Agent
– betsy.olson@ces.uwex.edu
• Jessie Potterton, Lafayette County 4-H
Youth Development Educator
– jessica.potterton@ces.uwex.edu