ODP Information Bulletin
                     No. 30  April 16, 2001


          TO:       All State Administrative Agency Heads
          All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact

          FROM:     C.H. "Butch" Straub, II
          Director

          SUBJECT:  Activation of Enhancements to the On-Line Data Collection Tool 

The Office for Domestic Preparedness Support (ODP) is pleased to
announce the activation of two new capabilities within the On-Line Data Collection Tool.  These
new features are intended to assist states in using their assessment data to develop the required
Three-Year Statewide Domestic Preparedness Strategies.  These enhancements include a Data
Analysis Tool and a Jurisdiction Prioritization Tool.

The Data Analysis Tool is intended to give states considerable flexibility in how they can view and
use the data being collected in the On-Line Data Collection Tool.  Links have been added within
the State Level Data Entry Module that will allow each State Administrative Agency (SAA) to
run a standard set of comparative queries on their state's data.  A feature allowing states to design
their own unique queries will be added shortly.  This data analysis capability has been designed
with the latest ORACLE Discoverer  technology, and is being provided to the states at no cost. 

The second enhancement, the Jurisdiction Prioritization Tool, will provide states with the ability
to select specific criteria and weighting factors to assist them in prioritizing jurisdictions for
equipment funding, training, technical assistance and exercise support.  This capability is now
available to SAA users through new links within the State Level Data Entry Module.  Additional
assistance is available to SAAs on the use of the Jurisdiction Prioritization Tool through the State
Strategy Technical Assistance Program. This program was outlined in Information Bulletin 29.

Finally, the OJP Information Resources Management Division (IRMD) recently completed a
system reconfiguration that resulted in the correction of some inefficient coding within the On-
Line Data Collection Tool, as well as the physical movement of the Tool to a new server.  I am
hopeful that these changes will effectively address some of the access problems that users have
experienced recently.

For technical assistance with existing elements of the On-Line Data Collection Tool, you may
contact the OJP toll-free help line at 1-888-549-9901.  Assistance with the public health
assessment may be obtained by calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention help line at
1-800-747-7649.  You may also contact your ODP program manager for additional
information and assistance related to conduct of the needs assessment and development of your
three-year state strategy.