In this episode of DaSy Talks, hosts Howard Morrison and Jenna Nguyen sit down with Lisa Davenport and Jennifer Floyd to explore how Utah built and strengthened its Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS) by including Part C data. Together, they unpack the evolution of Utah’s ECIDS, from early advisory council conversations to a robust, multi-agency data system that integrates nine data sources, including home visiting, Head Start, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), developmental screening, and Baby Watch Early Intervention.

Jennifer shares the history and structure behind Utah’s ECIDS, explaining how the system aggregates de-identified data to examine participation across programs serving children birth to age eight. With distinct child counts and cross-program reporting, Utah can identify where children are being served, where collaboration is working well, and where gaps in access may exist. The conversation highlights how integrated data informs statewide early childhood policy.

Lisa offers an inside look into the development of Baby Watch Early Intervention, Utah’s Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Beginning with a data sharing agreement with Utah’s ECIDS in 2019, Baby Watch has carefully developed over time with a focus on data protection, transparency, and accountability. Lisa emphasizes her role as a data steward, underscoring the balance between leveraging data for research and protecting the privacy of children and families. The episode brings governance to life, describing Utah’s ECIDS data governance committee, private voting on data access requests, and the autonomy each agency maintains over its own data.

Throughout the discussion, Lisa and Jennifer reflect on the human side of systems building, including relationship development, shared purpose, and the importance of allowing time for trust to grow. They offer practical advice to other states considering ECIDS participation: foster open communication, ensure every voice is heard, stay focused on shared outcomes, and be patient. This episode is about cultivating a data culture where collaboration and data-informed decision making work together to improve access and outcomes for young children and their families.

Download the transcript.

Related Resources

• DaSy Data System Framework
• Critical Questions
• Look! Think! Act!
• Data Leadership Competencies
• Data Culture Toolkit
• Data Inquiry Cycle
• Waters Center for Systems Thinking
• Habits of a Systems Thinker
• Blog: Creating Positive Change Through a Culture of Data Use and Systems Thinking
• Create Positive Change Through Data Culture and Systems Thinking

About Our Guests and Hosts

Lisa Davenport, Ph.D., is the Program Manager for the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program and Utah’s Part C Coordinator. Dr. Davenport has spent the past 30 years working in the field of early intervention and special education as a direct service provider, adjunct professor at the University of Utah, and early childhood program administrator. She holds a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Early Childhood Special Education, as well as a Utah Early Intervention Specialist Credential and Infant Mental Health Endorsement. Her research and scholarly interests include Neonatal Intensive Care, early intervention, early numeracy intervention, early childhood special education, and infant mental health. Over the years, Dr. Davenport has published articles and delivered state and national presentations in these areas. When she is not working, Lisa loves to travel and enjoy Utah’s beautiful outdoors with her husband and son.

Jennifer Floyd is the Early Childhood Utah program manager. During her years with the WIC program in the Utah County Health Department, Jennifer fell in love with public health and particularly supporting families with young children. Her specialty is working at a systems level to bring projects from vision to reality. She worked with the Office of Child Care to bring about the Statewide Coordinated Developmental Screening Project, and is currently in the midst of early childhood website creation and other projects. She oversees the Early Childhood Integrated Data System in Utah.

Howard Morrison is a DaSy Technical Assistance State Liaison who specializes in early childhood education on a variety of topics, including interagency data integration and data use, data governance, data sharing agreements, school readiness, transitions, public–private partnerships, community engagement, and systems and relationship building in state systems.

Jenna Nguyen is a technical assistance specialist for The DaSy Center. With over 10 years of experience across the early childhood and special education systems, she brings a passion to empowering families, cultivating authentic connections, and integrating systems thinking and data to ensure that children and families can access the quality services and supports they need to thrive.