Team composition should be based upon the scope of the team project. Teams members must encompass all three corners of the Data Use Triangle: Data, Program and Policy.

• Data: Responsible for conducting statistical analyses and data manipulation.
• Program: Expertise in planning, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs.
• Policy: Influences partnerships and decision making in the organization and the community.

CORE TEAM members are those team members who are required to travel three times during the year to DaTA Institute activities to be held at selected sites. There is a limit of five (5) Core team members.

PROJECT TEAM members are other key individuals from the agency/community who do not travel but play an important role in the team project. There is no limit to the number of Project team members.

Each team starts the DaTA Institute with a proposed data use project of importance to their organization and community. The project provides opportunities for application of new skills acquired during the learning year. Teams will be given opportunities throughout the training year to share their Project Milestones with the others in their cohort. Project Milestones include progress on project goals and lessons learned.

Readiness. Prior to Kickoff, teams participate in a virtual readiness workshop during which they focus on team-building strategies, community readiness, clear participant expectations and objectives for the upcoming year.

On-site Trainings. During the learning year, the teams come together two times:

1. The "Hands On" workshop - a three-day "real-time" exercise in data use skills;
2. The Graduation workshop - three days of final leadership training and skills building.

Distance Learning. Teams are required to participate in four Data Use Essentials (DUES) distance-learning conference calls prior to the "Hands On" workshop. Each call addresses a basic knowledge area of data use and translation. Following "Hands On," teams participate in the DaTA Institute "DUE More" conference calls. These calls are designed to provide further skills-building for the teams.

Each team participates in individual calls with DaTA staff at least three times throughout the year. These calls are intended to provide project consultation and technical assistance.

Coaching. Each year a team of coaches - experts in the field of data use - will provide additional technical assistance, mentoring and resources to teams who request it.