AISP Toolkit Feb25 2025 - Flipbook - Page 35
RELD & SOGIE Data Standards Framework
Collecting primary or secondary data equitably requires engaging with those represented in the
data. It is important to understand both how they de昀椀ne themselves and how the data de昀椀nes them.
Collection instruments, both created for the project or borrowed from others, are often imperfect
representations, so involving the people behind the numbers provides critical context.
To that end, this guide does not prescribe an answer to the common questions we hear, like “What
RELD categories should I use?” or “What are the o昀케cially recommended check boxes?” Rather,
we offer guidance on assembling a team that can ask and collectively answer questions that arise
across the data life cycle about how we collect and use RELD/SOGIE data so that these data can be
used to create authentic, purpose-built responses to and relationships with communities.
Below, we review considerations and guiding questions for sites developing a RELD/SOGIE
framework for data collection and reuse. We have also highlighted considerations for thoughtful and
thorough implementation and change management, the focused effort to implement change with
emotional awareness, adult learning, and cooperative principles in mind so the change takes root
and sustains itself.
Institutional powers often look to available data and national standards 昀椀rst to de昀椀ne their program’s
RELD/SOGIE framework, with speci昀椀c needs of the community and locality being treated as an
afterthought. While the national standards can serve as a starting point, we instead recommend
working with your governance team to 昀椀rst agree upon the minimum set of identities needed to
fully, accurately, and authentically describe identity-based patterns of oppression and asset-based
opportunities for the project’s purpose. Once you know what you need, you can then evaluate
available data and how well the national standards and available data align to your needs.
National standards
Recent updates to the federal O昀케ce of Management and Budget (OMB) data standards
(Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting
Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity) will drive demographic reporting for many programs.
Importantly, these standards are more inclusive of ethnic identity than OMB’s previous
iteration. While race and ethnicity are both social constructs, they are distinct, with race
referring to physical characteristics and ethnicity to shared history and culture. Both
constructs are important to measure even if you create a more customized framework than
the OMB standards. Again, we recommend that any RELD/SOGIE framework, even if based
on the national standards, leave room for community engagement and feedback. Finally,
your framework should not end with instrument design and data collection. Determining
how responses are translated to analytic categories is of utmost importance.
CENTERING RACIAL EQUITY THROUGHOUT THE DATA LIFE CYCLE
At its best, a framework co-created by community for collecting race, ethnicity, language, and
disability (RELD) data and sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) data both
shows how systemic and historical racism, oppression, and identity-based power differentials
manifest and compels change. It tells us where healing needs to happen.
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