Erin Dalton: Data collection limitations and voluntary screening
Dalton acknowledges that voluntary gender identity and sexual orientation surveys at intake yield low participation, resulting in significant undercounting of LGBTQIA and TGNC clients across DSS systems.
There are limitations we must acknowledge, especially as it relates to data collection.
DHS seeks to affirm each individual's gender identity and ensure that they are appropriately placed by giving clients the option to self-identify their gender through a voluntary gender identity screening, which occurs at intake.
Clients who self-identify as TGNC are then given their gender-affirming placement options.
DHS clients are also offered voluntary sexual orientation and gender identity survey at intake.
However, because this is voluntary and not linked to a person's case or placement, it means participation is low and our data on TG...
LGBTQIA and TGNC clients is limited.
On the HRA side of the house, sexual orientation and gender identity data is voluntary and
offered for clients enrolled in cash assistance, SNAP, and IDNYC benefits programs, as well as those seeking services for domestic violence per local law 130.
We acknowledge our data represents an undercount of LGBTQIA and TGNC clients.
Thus, the data we have significantly under-represents the actual number of individuals receiving services across
the DV and DHS shelter system.
The voluntary data we collect is a factor that assists DSS in determining programmatic capacity needs and potential policy adjustments that could be made to better address the needs of the population.