The following criteria were used to make decisions about the inclusion of existing data sets on the Web site. Criteria establish a minimum level of activity in key areas.

Addresses HP2000 objectives:

A data set must address at least one or more HP2000 objectives (e.g. data sets for women include prenatal care; for infants, low birthweight; for children, adolescents and CSHCN, immunizations, school-based health, or level of health service). The template will show which specific objectives, of the 18 monitored by the MCH Bureau, are addressed by each data set.

Addresses OBRA '89:
A data set must address at least one requirement of OBRA '89 (i.e. prenatal care, low birthweight, or level of health services/care received).

Has a contact person:

A data set must have a person who is willing to prepare information for the Web site, maintain the information on the Web site, and answer questions when users call for more information.

Attempts to standardize definitions:

A data set must identify core data elements and define them.

Has potential for sharing data across multiple agencies/sites:

A data set must have some potential for linking and/or sharing of data across multiple sites and/or sources. For individual-level data sets, this criteria includes having a unique identifier/common ID for linkage capability.

Used, piloted, or recommended data set:

A data set must be either used (e.g. have standard data items and definitions that are applied to data gathering and data sharing among agencies, and actual data exist where the standards and definitions have been applied; or piloted (e.g. data set meets the same criteria of used but is still in the testing phase). Recommended data sets are included if they are: specific to MCH on a local, state, regional, or national level; or for the general population on a national level.

Note: While MCH software may have a corresponding data set, projects that are primarily geared to software development and dissemination are not included as existing data sets.