Blueprint Strategies for Delivering Results
Actions:
Create a framework that includes the purpose, priorities, methods, and governance for collecting, using, and sharing data across state agencies
PolicyInfrastructure- Connect the framework to the administration’s priorities and systematic approach to managing results
- Elevate the usage of data to “make peoples’ lives better” (as opposed to more academic pursuits) to help guide usage, address barriers to equality of opportunity, and make the case internally and publicly for why data is important
- Center racial equity and the community voice within the context of data integration to avoid perpetuating the racially-biased systems that have produced inequitable outcomes
Consider a guiding vision that protects data privacy and security but elevates the principle of “our default is to share” among state agencies to help break down silos between agencies and systems
PolicyCodify a vision for data use in an executive order or legislation for sustainability
Policy
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut’s Chief Data Officer and individual agency data officers are required to update the state data plan biennially. The plan contains 11 principles and accompanying practices that all agencies should adopt to improve their management, use, sharing, and analysis of data.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 3).
OHIO
InnovateOhio
In 2019, Ohio’s governor signed Executive Order 2019-15D consolidating state data systems into the InnovateOhio Platform, which uses data as “a shared strategic asset” whose “value is multiplied when data sets are linked across programs and organizations.” The executive order created a presumption of data sharing between state agencies, except where a specific legal prohibition is identified in writing.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 5).
CALIFORNIA
Open Data Portal
California’s statewide Open Data Policy encourages departments to share data in standard and accessible formats through the California Open Data Portal. As outlined in the California Open Data Handbook, the state’s open efforts are designed to improve collaboration, expand transparency, encourage innovation, and increase effectiveness. In addition, the state hosts CalData, a professional network for government officials and partners to promote the best uses of open data.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 4).
Actions:
Hire a Chief Data Officer (CDO) within, or strongly connected to, the governor’s Office with the expertise, authority, and resources to build a data vision, framework, and to guide the effort statewide
PeopleBuild capacity to support data capture, management, and collaboration across agencies
People- Identify existing technical resources across agencies to understand strengths, gaps, and opportunities for increased collaboration
- Consider increasing technical capacity (e.g. data analysts) within agencies but prioritize placing “data strategists” (i.e. data strategy that is human-centered vs. solely technical) into coordination and management roles
Build groups and relationships to support the data agenda, such as:
PolicyPeopleInfrastructure- Data governance board to provide formal feedback on data standards and usage
- Community of practice amongst all data-related leaders / key agency staff to share best practices
- Relationship(s) with university researchers to add expertise and capacity for potential project-based work
- Stakeholder engagement mechanisms to ensure that community voice informs how data is gathered and used
Ensure the CDO has a voice in the policy, budget, and management decisions where data is a critical element
COLORADO
A 2018 Connecticut law established the statewide Chief Data Officer and Connecticut Data Analysis Technology Advisory Board and required each state agency to designate an agency data officer to manage high-value data sets and coordinate data-related activities with the state Chief Data Officer.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 3).
KENTUCKY
Center for Statistics’ Data Governance
By providing data sets, publishing reports, and fulfilling research requests, the Kentucky Center for Statistics provides state-specific education and workforce data insights with appropriate data privacy and data access controls. With more than 40 staff members who are dedicated to data use and sharing, the Center is run by an executive director with an oversight board composed of participating state agencies. The Center has developed a research agenda for 2020-22.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 5).
INDIANA
Created by a 2017 law, Indiana’s Chief Data Officer has the budget, staff, and authority to coordinate data analytics and data transparency for state agencies; advise state agencies regarding best practices for data maintenance, security, and privacy; and oversee the Indiana Management Performance Hub.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 3).
Actions:
Activate the right leadership group (ideally including a data governance board, the Chief Data Officer, and engagement from within the governor’s office) to help drive the collaborative creation of a statewide data roadmap
PeopleDevelop an inventory of the people, processes, and infrastructure used to capture data (including partners if feasible) to provide a view of the “starting point” for enhanced data integration and usage moving forward
PeopleCreate a data infrastructure roadmap that starts from the current state and builds to a data system integrated at the most viable level
InfrastructurePolicy- Engage internal stakeholders to understand sensitivities, resources, and starting point technological realities to build data integration that allows rapid cross-agency data combination for the purpose of specific problem solving
- Consider a progressive approach that starts with quick wins focused on linking programmatic data for research purposes. While a more expansive data system tied to case management within agencies may be viable in the longer term, it may not be appropriate as a short-term or medium-term goal
- Engage community stakeholders to build a set of questions and use cases that can ultimately be solved by integrating data
Tie the performance management system and the data infrastructure together so that the administration’s top goals are supported by regular, cross-agency data capture
PolicyInfrastructureExpedite data sharing across and within agencies by creating formal, standardized, and easy to apply agreements that agencies can use to share data without risking privacy or security
PolicyProvide technical assistance to agencies on an ongoing basis to support new data imperatives
People
Washington
Department of Social Services’s Integrated Client Database
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Research and Data Analysis Division maintains an Integrated Client Database with data from 10 state agencies, 40 separate data systems, and millions of individuals. RDA’s integrated data environment has been used by the state’s Health Home Program to generate tens of millions of dollars in performance payments from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as a result of improved care management for persons dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 5).
Colorado Governor’s Office and the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab (CEAL) co-designed the Linked Information Network of Colorado (LINC) to facilitate data sharing for research and analytics purposes as a way to improve state policies and programs.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 5).
Indiana
Indiana Management Performance Hub is an integrated database that brings together data from key policy issues related to opioids, education and workforce development, medicaid, fiscal transparency, and other areas. According to a 2018 annual report, the Hub has generated an estimated return on investment of $40 million for the state.
More information: 2019 State Standard of Excellence (Criteria 3).
What Could This Look Like Over Time?
Leveraging Data
Wins
By following the actions above and building over time, states should aim to achieve wins along the way to galvanize internal and external support. Here are some sample wins, though there are many other types of achievements that states could use to mark their progress.