Introduction to NIRS

As a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), the USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at CHLA is required by law (Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act [DD Act]) to submit data to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). Similarly, the USC UCEDD is required to submit data to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) pertaining to the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Training Program (LEND). To respond to these mandates, the AUCD developed a national reporting system for all UCEDDs to use to comply with these reporting requirements. This AUCD report system is referred to as the National Information Reporting System (NIRS).

Not only does the NIRS national data reporting process help ensure compliance with Federal data reporting requirements, it helps tell the important story of AUCD Network Programs to a wide array of constituents, including individuals with disabilities/SHCN and their families, local communities, states, service providers, funding agencies, policy-makers, and other partners. For instance, data can support efforts to fund AUCD network programs by informing the Congressional appropriations process and providing critical documentation in competitive grant applications. National data reporting can also support the data management, program evaluation, long-range planning, and information sharing efforts of individual programs at a State and local level.

It is most important that USC UCEDD faculty and staff contribute consistently and fully to inputting data into NIRS. By doing so, an accurate profile of USC UCEDD activities can be presented not only to our reporting agencies but to families, our colleagues, policymakers and partners throughout the state and nationally.

Getting Started

USC UCEDD users can log into NIRS from their computers at work and at home. In order to log-in to NIRS, you must have an established login and password. If you do not, then you need to contact Maral Shahinian, the USC UCEDD Data Coordinator and our on-site NIRS liaison with AUCD. Maral will obtain a login and password for you. She can be contacted by phone at 18870 or via email at mshahinian@chla.usc.edu

To log on to NIRS:

1. Go to www.aucd.org/nirs/db/index.cfm.
2. At the first field ("Center Name"), select your program’s name from the drop-down menu.
3. At the second field ("Login"), enter your login ID.
4. At the third field ("Password"), enter your password.
5. Hit the Submit button, which will take you to the NIRS Welcome Page where all of the NIRS options can be

Navigating the Site

Once logged on to NIRS, functions are available to users according to their level of access The following information will help you move around the NIRS Web site:

1. The first page after logging in--the Welcome page--should have your program's name across the top right corner and the message "Welcome to the NIRS Database" across the top of the middle of the page.
2. At the center of the Welcome page, you will see five datasets listed:
   1. Trainees
   2. Projects
   3. Activities
   4. Products
   5. Goals
3. NOTE: Most of the USC UCEDD users will be primarily using the Activities page to input data. Under each of the four datasets there are links to the functions you can perform within the datasets:
   1. Add--entering data into a new record
   2. Search--pulling up past or current records according to defined criteria
   3. List/Edit--listing and editing records from the current reporting period
   4. Reports--compiling information by specific fields and criteria
   5. Data Dictionary--accessing general information on the dataset and specific information on each field in the dataset.
4. The navigation bar on the top of the screen also allows you to perform all of the above-listed functions within each of the four datasets.
5. You can go back and forth between NIRS pages freely, except when you are entering data (see the information below under the section, "Entering Data," for caveats on leaving the data entry mode).

Useful Reference Materials

Several handouts have been developed especially for USC UCEDD users to assist them with inputting data into NIRS. Here is the listing of resources with a short explanation to assist you with NIRS inputting.

1. NIRS Activity Screen: This is a reproduction of the NIRS Activity Screen that you will view when entering data. An explanation of information to be inputted in each field on this screen is provided.
2. Key Word Suggestions. Depending on the Area Emphasis selected for inputting, a listing of key words are provided to be inputted into the field entitled Brief Activity Description. Add as many key words that apply. The key words are listed at the end of the brief description.
3. Title of Activity. This handout provides resource information for inserting correct information pertaining to the fields of “Title of Activity” and “Core Function.” Column 1 of the table contains a listing of activity titles that could be inserted into the field entitled “Title of Activity” Column 2 contains examples of activity titles to help you make the appropriate choice. Column 3 provides information on correctly identifying the core function that corresponds to the activity title.
4. Project Abstract. Each PI is expected to input an abstract description of their projects. This handout provides the guidelines for writing the abstract.

Need Assistance?

For questions contact Maral Shahinian USC UCEDD Data Coordinator and our on-site NIRS liaison with AUCD. She can be contacted by phone at 18870 or via email at MShahinian@chla.usc.edu.

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