MAPPING AT HELP
HELP produces a range of maps, community summaries and other graphics that illustrate the results of the Early Development Instrument (EDI), socio-economic status (SES) information and other ecological data. These maps are available in many different geographic packages:
Provincial Map PackagesProvincial maps showing EDI and SES data for all school districts in British Columbia.
Maps for each health authority showing EDI data for local health areas (LHAs).
Community maps for each school district showing EDI and SES data for custom geographic neighbourhoods that were created in consultation with community groups across BC. Local MDI mapping packages are also availible.
We provide our map packages as images displayed directly online, and as PDF or PowerPoint (PPT) packages that can be easily downloaded for off-line viewing or use in presentations. Additionally, coloured data tables summarizing the results of the Early Development Instrument (EDI) are also provided within each map package or as a single Excel file that includes all available EDI data.
What the Maps and Summary Reports Reveal
These maps and data can be used in a variety of ways, from community mobilization to policy making. By mapping information by neighbourhood, local health area and school district, we can better understand how various factors influence children’s development and health. We hope policy makers and community members can use this information to develop policies and programs to help children get the best possible start in life. Specifically, these maps can:
- Reveal where children and families live, where programs and resources are located, and how accessible these programs are to those they were designed to support
- Identify large neighbourhood differences in the number of children who are healthy and ready for school
- Reveal where there are gaps in children’s development and where improvement is needed
- Reveal how socio-economic factors may influence children’s early development
- Heighten awareness of the importance of early child development
- Prompt new community policies and programs
Mapping and Data Visualization Portfolio
If you would like to learn more about the mapping and data visualization team and our diverse projects, please explore our portfolio. This publication provides a visual showcase of the many different types of maps and other graphics we produce. Each page of this PDF document includes an introduction to a distinct visualization technique and describes how this technique can be used to transform data into knowledge.
Most of our maps are created using a Geographic Information System (GIS). In some cases GIS maps are exported to a vector graphics package called Adobe Illustrator (AI). This step is taken when maps require additional cartographic enhancements or elements that can’t be achieved through basic mapping done in GIS. Maps created in AI are typically more aesthetically appealing and appropriate for use in presentations and reports.
Interactive Map
We are also currently developing an interactive map that shows EDI and SES data for multiple years and allows you to zoom into school district and neighbourhood level data. This map application also includes many other interactive functions like the ability to turn roads and labels on and off or generate customized maps for future viewing view sharable links. This project is still in beta testing and does not currently include Wave 4 data.
