Measuring the Effectiveness of Stakeholder Participation in State-Led Efforts to Improve Autism Awareness in Indiana​

Abstract

This project analyzed stakeholder engagement and satisfaction trends from the Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IIACC) meetings between 2018 and 2024. Conducted through HANDS in Autism®, the study involved cleaning and analyzing multi-year survey data using Python, Excel, and Power BI. Key findings revealed a decline in meeting participation—dropping 75% over the six-year period—despite a recent 8% increase in satisfaction scores for workgroup activities in 2024. The analysis suggests that while content satisfaction improved, overall engagement and leadership participation decreased significantly after 2022. These insights informed recommendations for enhancing stakeholder feedback loops, improving meeting structures, and establishing consistent attendance tracking systems. This project strengthened competencies in data storytelling, visualization, and strategic evaluation for public health and community engagement efforts in autism services.