­Equitable and Effective Data Sharing to Support Healthy Transitions for Youth During Reentry

Overview

Data sharing across correctional and community systems is complex and laden with risk, but failure to share data entails risk as well given the vital role data plays in effective pre- and post-release services to support youth during a particularly unsafe period. Thus, data sharing partners must not shy away from the admittedly hard work of navigating these challenges. Rather, partners must work towards effective and equitable cross-sector data sharing, recognizing the value of disclosure and the imperative of safeguarding privacy. This work necessitates community-driven, empowering data sharing that protects against further entanglement of punitive systems in health and social care. 

With recent changes to Medicaid and CHIP, as well as the approval of Medicaid section 1115 reentry waivers, states are working to mitigate the harms of incarceration by addressing the health and social needs of youth returning to their communities from confinement. This resource is intended to assist states navigating data sharing challenges that may arise in implementation of these reforms. It identifies the important role of data sharing in reentry services and highlights the different roadblocks that those engaged in data sharing may encounter. It then identifies legal, ethical, and practical considerations for designing equitable data sharing systems that center the voices of impacted youth and safeguard against harmful uses of data that reinforce injustice.