FAQ

If your state/team would benefit from learning best practices for solving problems using data, having a comprehensive understanding of your data assets, establishing robust governance practices and culture, and/or building relationships between data and policy experts, then this program is for you!

Still not sure if you should apply? Email Ali Benson at ab3856@georgetown.edu to learn more.

1. You'll have access to a network of states working on similar data projects, practical stories and insights from subject matter experts and peers, and no-cost, individualized support and capacity building from a dedicated program manager.

2. A project roadmap! The roadmap will help your state team establish a clearly defined and replicable process for using data to address a problem in your state. Roadmap components will include: scoping and defining the problem you are solving for, identifying what data you have and what data you need, determining the best technological solutions for matching or integrating the data for your defined project, establishing processes for data sharing and governance, and addressing any legal issues associated with using data.

The Treasury Department has authorized states to use American Rescue Plan funding specifically for data/analysis as it relates to pandemic recovery. Through participation in the program, we’ll help you consider ways to strategically invest those funds.

For specific language related to use of funds, see the Interim Final Rule.

Over the course of the nine-month program we anticipate state teams will spend 1-2 hours per week throughout the program on scheduled programming, with additional programming available as needed.

The program will launch in September 2021 and run through April 2022.

The application is due Friday, August 20 at 11:59 pm ET. We will begin notifying states on Friday, August 20.

Yes! We recommend including a team member with a mix of technical and analytical skills who can support interagency data coordination. Similar roles include: data administrator or coordinator, open data manager, or analytics director. General information on the role of a CDO is available here.

Need additional assistance? Contact Tyler Kleykamp at tyler.kleykamp@georgetown.edu to help you identify the right representative to participate in this program and/or for support advocating for a CDO role in your state.

Any member of your team! We anticipate that teams may want to identify a lead who will serve as the primary point of contact throughout the program. This person is likely best suited to fill out the application.

You may apply for multiple cohorts. However, because space is limited, you may only be accepted into one issue-specific cohort. Since these issues intersect, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn from and collaborate with states working across all issue areas. We also hope you will apply the skills learned in this first cohort to other issue areas in the future.

If you would like to be considered for more than one issue area, please check the box for each cohort you’d like to apply to. You’ll be able to provide multiple answers to the questions where necessary in order to tailor your response to each issue area.

We will notify you of the cohort you have been accepted into by Friday, August 20th.

Not at all! Our program will start with refining your problem statement and scoping your project. If you’re already working on a project that would benefit from the extra support provided by this program, that works too.

This program can help you scope and launch a brand new project or build momentum for a project that has already been developed.

We recommend that your state team includes a diverse mix of policy and data experts, along with decision makers and implementers. While every state will be different, here are some team members you might consider:

• • • State CDO or equivalent (data administrator or coordinator, open data manager, analytics director)

    • Governor’s office representative (policy director, deputy chief of staff, etc)

    • Decision-maker from relevant agency(ies)

    • Equity/DEI officer from relevant agency(ies)

    • Budget office representative

    • Community partners (nonprofits, local academic institutions, private sector organizations, etc.)

Additional participants may be brought in at your discretion to participate at various points in the program, such as data stewards and other agency representatives.

We understand that identifying appropriate team members will depend on which cohort your state participates in, so we do not expect you to have your team finalized at the time of application. For the sake of this application and program planning, please name the key team members which could potentially make up your state teams.

Need help recruiting your team? Email Ali Benson at ab3856@georgetown.edu.

No, you cannot edit your application once it has been submitted. If you have additional information to provide, or something has changed, please email Ali Benson at ab3856@georgetown.edu.

Yes. We are requiring state teams to secure a statement of support that demonstrates a commitment to participating in and completing the program in its entirety. We believe the strongest demonstrations of commitment will come from the governor’s office.

While statements of support do not have to be submitted at the time of application, we ask that you send them to our team by the time the program launches in September.

If you don’t have a connection in the governor’s office or need assistance securing this documentation, please let us know! We are happy to help. Email Ali Benson at ab3856@georgetown.edu.

Yes! Chief Data Officers (or equivalent roles) are invited to participate in the State Chief Data Officers Network, and continue to leverage the expertise from a growing network of colleagues across the country. Similarly, members of the governor's office are invited to participate in the National Governors Association (NGA).

Everyone! This will be a chance to learn more about the program, connect with other states, and start to build relationships with your cohort. Plus, we’ll have guest speakers you won’t want to miss. The convening will be held on September 23-24, 2021.