CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
~ Changing the Way Connecticut Uses Data ~
Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
2
Mission
The Connecticut Data Collaborative is a public-private partnership
working to increase the quality and accessibility of up-to-date, relevant
data needed to inform effective planning and policy.
Goal: To advance the use of data and information
for public policy, strategic planning, program and
service improvement, and public accountability
purposes at the state, regional, and local
community levels.
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013
Page
1
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
Organizational Structure
3


A project of the New Connecticut Foundation
(nonprofit 501-c-3)
Governed by a Steering Committee of data users
and generators, including state agencies
 Seeking

Discovery Community Representative
Recently included in state budget under the
Secretary of State
 Hiring
full time staff
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
4

Initiatives
CTData.org



Houses wide range of data relating to health,
well-being and economy of Connecticut
Provides “enterprise solution” across agencies to
provide public access to state data
CT Nonprofit Strategy Platform



Provides access to federal, state and nonprofit
agency trend data
Designed in partnership with Urban Institute’s
National Center for Charitable Statistics and
United Way of CT / 211. Led by UCONN Nonprofit
Leadership Program
Data Acquisition and Policy
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013
Page
2
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
5

Results We Seek
CTData.org as an “Enterprise Solution” for public access to
state agency, federal, and other data





Carry indicators from Children’s Report Card and Governor’s Nonprofit Health
and Human Services Cabinet, including town level data
Access to a wide array of accurate, timely, policy-relevant data
Strong learning community of data users and producers
Increased efficiency in data development



Work in partnership with CT State Data Center and others
Connection of efforts in state
Improved documentation
Connecticut Open Data Policy and Practice
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
Early Childhood Portal
6

Goals
 Secure
and present the latest and most important
available indicators to inform local and state work in
Early Childhood
 Support community and policy maker use of the
indicators
 Recruit and facilitate a Learning Community around the
data and the use of the data
 Advance a data development agenda with relevant
agencies

Supported by the Graustein Memorial Fund
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013
Page
3
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
New Features in EC Portal
7
Recent
 Raw data files of aggregate data in Knowledge Ctr
 Community Profile tool
 Upload your own data improved
 Refinements across all tools
 Feedback and Support Tab
In Development
 Enhanced “Data Story” tool with gallery
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
Next Steps with EC Portal
8



Secure and upload most recent data sets
Improve functionality based on feedback
Develop “Data Stories” to inform pressing Early Childhood
policy issues



Priority example: Chronic Absenteeism
Serve as go-to repository for access to data by all

In collaboration with statewide organizations and new Office of EC

Carry and update indicators needed by Discovery Communities with
upload to Results Scorecard
Advance Early Childhood Data Development Agenda in
collaboration with Office of Early Childhood and Communities
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013
Page
4
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
What YOU can do
9
Individually

Register with the Web Site / Join the User Group –
ctdata@googlegroups.com

Provide feedback and get support using Tab

Share your Data Stories and work in the Gallery

Suggest data and functionality you would like
Communities Together

Designate a Discovery Community representative to the CT Data
Collaborative Steering Committee

Form Discovery User Group to guide development

Advocate for open data and better data

Join in developing a Data Development Agenda
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
Discussion Questions
10

How do we work together to build the portal and
the address data and policy issues?
 Membership
on Steering Committee?
 New cross-portal, user advisory group?

Coming out of the training, we will re-establish an
ongoing work group to provide EC Portal guidance
CTData.org Discovery Community Workshop
September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013
Page
5