The growing emphasis on government accountability at the state and federal levels has increased interest in the collection and use of outcome data. Moreover, research has found that high performing states in integrated employment generally have a clear and visible data collection system that includes individual outcome data (Hall, Butterworth, Winsor, Gilmore, & Metzel, 2007). But what are the most important elements in designing and using a system? Stakeholders have raised questions regarding how to develop and implement an effective data collection system, which variables provide the most utility for influencing policy, and how to use data as a strategic planning tool.
