In The News

07 Nov 2024

State IMPACT Collaborative Awardees Announcement

The Coleridge Initiative and MDRC are pleased to announce that three state agencies will be awarded funding and research support through the State IMPACT (Innovative Models for Policy Acceleration & Collaborative Testing) Collaborative. The Collaborative provides funding and research support to transform state policymaking by leveraging advanced data analytics and collaborative research to foster evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development. State IMPACT Collaborative Awarded Projects: Recidivism Reduction Initiative through Analysis: Led by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, this project aims to test the effectiveness of workforce training in correctional facilities on reducing barriers to reemployment following incarceration.  Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Enhancement Project: Led by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in partnership with The Ohio State University, this project aims to test the effectiveness of expanding RESEA services to individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Unemployment Insurance  who are currently not being served by RESEA services. Improve Cross-Program Referrals: Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, this project aims to test the effectiveness of different strategies for implementing cross-program referrals from workforce development services increasing enrollment in services. About the State IMPACT Collaborative The State IMPACT Collaborative is a project of MDRC and the Coleridge Initiative with support from Arnold Ventures. Over two years, the State IMPACT Collaborative consists of training and technical assistance to state agencies committed to using research and evaluation to advance economic mobility among individuals and families with low incomes. This collaborative will build on MDRC’s proven learning-by-doing approach to increasing state agencies' data analytic capacity and MDRC’s 50 years of experience carrying out high-quality rigorous evaluations. Awardees will utilize Coleridge Initiative’s renowned Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), which enables secure cross-agency and cross-state collaboration, and participate in a new Applied Data Analytics training program in partnership with the state of Arkansas that will include a new co-developed curriculum in evaluation methods. 


07 Nov 2024

State IMPACT Collaborative Awardees Announcement

The Coleridge Initiative and MDRC are pleased to announce that three state agencies will be awarded funding and research support through the State IMPACT (Innovative Models for Policy Acceleration & Collaborative Testing) Collaborative. The Collaborative provides funding and research support to transform state policymaking by leveraging advanced data analytics and collaborative research to foster evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development. State IMPACT Collaborative Awarded Projects: Recidivism Reduction Initiative through Analysis: Led by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, this project aims to test the effectiveness of workforce training in correctional facilities on reducing barriers to reemployment following incarceration.  Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Enhancement Project: Led by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in partnership with The Ohio State University, this project aims to test the effectiveness of expanding RESEA services to individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Unemployment Insurance  who are currently not being served by RESEA services. Improve Cross-Program Referrals: Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, this project aims to test the effectiveness of different strategies for implementing cross-program referrals from workforce development services increasing enrollment in services. About the State IMPACT Collaborative The State IMPACT Collaborative is a project of MDRC and the Coleridge Initiative with support from Arnold Ventures. Over two years, the State IMPACT Collaborative consists of training and technical assistance to state agencies committed to using research and evaluation to advance economic mobility among individuals and families with low incomes. This collaborative will build on MDRC’s proven learning-by-doing approach to increasing state agencies' data analytic capacity and MDRC’s 50 years of experience carrying out high-quality rigorous evaluations. Awardees will utilize Coleridge Initiative’s renowned Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), which enables secure cross-agency and cross-state collaboration, and participate in a new Applied Data Analytics training program in partnership with the state of Arkansas that will include a new co-developed curriculum in evaluation methods. 

04 Nov 2024

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AWARDS COLERIDGE INITIATIVE UP TO $7.5 MILLION FOR SECURE DATA ENCLAVE SERVICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the Coleridge Initiative a contract with a maximum potential value of $7.5 million over a five-year period to provide a secure data enclave service through Coleridge Initiative’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), a FedRAMP-authorized, cloud-based computational research platform.  This secure data enclave solution will make USDA data more accessible for researchers while protecting privacy and confidentiality. The solution will also enhance data stewardship capabilities by improving the ability of the USDA to manage data access requests, agreements, and reporting metrics.  The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized AWS GovCloud platform with a security architecture designed to meet federal government protections regarding confidentiality, integrity, provenance, and availability of government data. This platform will facilitate data analysis in economics, agriculture, and nutrition by research universities, NGOs, and government researchers. “This contract enables USDA employees and approved external users to securely collaborate and conduct research with restricted-access datasets,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “As  our collaboration grows, we remain committed to providing comprehensive services, including secure researcher access, advanced tools for data stewardship, and  scalable resourcesility. Our platform enables researchers to harness food scanning and consumer survey data to inform program decisions. Our team is dedicated to delivering the highest standards of service and security for our partners, enabling broader access to data and empowering its use for informed decision-making that serves the public good.”   About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.   The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge provides secure data enclave services to a diverse range of clients, including 24 state government agencies and several federal agencies, through the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized cloud-based platform that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org   ###

01 Oct 2024

Boost for Public Data Systems as Coleridge Initiative Scales Up Work

Growth Campaign to Support Major Strategic Goals

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative is pleased to announce the expansion of its work with government agencies to leverage data to address complex issues, improve public decision-making, and improve the lives of students and workers across the country. To make this expansion possible, Coleridge is launching a $15 million fundraising campaign. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed to match the first $6 million of this campaign to strengthen Coleridge’s organizational capacity and accelerate growth to support the use of data to inform better policy.   To support government data systems, Coleridge provides a platform to securely link data within and across government agencies, and trains staff in data literacy, all while protecting privacy and ensuring data laws are followed. These systems help agencies track educational attainment, gain insights into the economic mobility of adult learners, and help ensure that educational programs are aligned and position students to succeed in today’s global economy.    With the launch of a major growth campaign and the support of additional data and infrastructure funders, Coleridge will be able to strengthen organizational capacity, sustain technological leadership, accelerate growth and impact, expand the reach of its services, and enhance training and product adoption.     “We have progressed from our successful initial stages of development to become a thriving and dynamic organization. Our operations have expanded significantly, demonstrating measurable impact,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of Coleridge Initiative. “This initiative will bolster our ability to utilize data in addressing complex challenges and driving evidence-based public decision-making.”   Currently, Coleridge offers a number of core programs to its government partners. Coleridge’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) is a secure, cloud-based environment that makes it possible for researchers to develop data models, allowing government agencies to review and analyze their K-12 and workforce data to answer key questions on student outcomes that were previously not possible.    The Democratizing Our Data Challenge (DDC) enables government agencies to scale and replicate data products, such as tools tracking state unemployment insurance statistics or dashboards tracking student outcomes from education to the workforce. The DDC builds a community of practice around the use of administrative data for the public good, where teams gain knowledge that can benefit other teams within their respective DDC cohorts. Through the Applied Data Analytics Training Program (ADA), Coleridge provides applied data analytics training to enhance the data literacy of government agency employees so that they can better use and understand their administrative data.   “This grant and our continued fundraising effort will allow us to expand these programs by reaching more states, offering more virtual, on-demand training opportunities, and strengthening our internal capacity to support the development of more innovative solutions, like the ADRF, for public data systems,” said Yildirmaz.     About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.   The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-certified environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org     

24 Jul 2024

Coleridge Initiative Welcomes New Board Member

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. announced that Nicole Ifill was elected to the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors. Ifill complements the composition of the board with her wealth of expertise and knowledge in strengthening data infrastructures by improving the availability, quality, and use of data.  "I am thrilled to welcome Nicole Ifill to the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors," said Dr. Michael Holland, Chair of the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors. "Her wealth of expertise and experience ensuring data quality, availability, and use will undoubtedly strengthen the Coleridge mission."  “I am very excited to have Nicole join the Coleridge Board of Directors,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “She has been a long standing supporter of our mission and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to building and strengthening a secure data infrastructure that can be used to support evidence-based decision-making.” Nicole Ifill is a Deputy Director on the U.S. Program Data strategy team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she works to strengthen data infrastructure by improving the availability, quality, and use of data that connects educational attainment to workforce outcomes. She also oversees the team’s measurement, learning, and evaluation efforts. This work helps ensure that institutions, policymakers, and researchers have the information they need for data-driven decision-making and that learners can make informed decisions about their career paths. Nicole has devoted her career to addressing barriers to postsecondary education and issues surrounding persistence and attainment, especially for learners from low-income backgrounds. Before joining the foundation in 2017, she managed several data analysis projects at RTI International, including as analytic director of the 2012/17 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study and as project director of the annual data update of College Results Online, a web tool developed by the Education Trust that provides detailed institution-level data on student graduation rates and labor market outcomes to multiple stakeholders. Nicole has a master’s degree in statistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a bachelor’s degree in political science-statistics from Columbia University. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-authorized environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org ###

15 May 2024

Coleridge Initiative Welcomed Didem Tuzemen as New Vice President of Product and Development

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. announced on Wednesday, May 15th that Dr. Didem Tuzemen joined the organization as a new Vice President of Product and Development. Dr. Tuzemen will lead the development of data products for labor and benefits. “As our new VP of Product and Development, Didem will play a pivotal role in helping us to deepen and expand our portfolio,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “Didem has a wealth of knowledge and expertise which will greatly contribute to our organization’s advancements.” “Joining the Coleridge Initiative is an exciting opportunity to work with a mission-driven organization dedicated to expanding access to data within government agencies while developing cutting-edge data products to inform policymakers,” said Dr. Didem Tuzemen, Vice President of Product and Development. Dr. Tuzemen previously served as a Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. She also served as Executive Director of the Kansas City Federal Statistical Research Data Center.  Dr. Tuzemen holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Maryland College Park. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.  The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge works with government agencies to create value by providing public agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy in order to develop better policies for the public good. They facilitate the development of collaborations within and across states allowing for new technologies to be developed through the secure access to and sharing of confidential microdata. They do this by providing a platform to securely link confidential data within and across states and agencies, and by providing training classes to agency staff. Their platform is the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) which is a secure, FedRAMP-certified, cloud-based environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. For more information about Coleridge, the ADRF, and their training program, visit: www.coleridgeinitiative.org  ###

20 Mar 2024

COLERIDGE INITIATIVE’S FOURTH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENING HIGHLIGHTS INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF DATA PARTNERSHIPS FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. hosted its fourth annual national convening in Arlington, V.A. on March 18th-20th. The convening explored how government leaders in the field are pushing the boundaries of traditional governance, forging data partnerships, and collaborating for better outcomes in public policy and administration.  “To drive change in how evidence and data are used to inform policy, we must work collaboratively to leverage partnerships and embrace innovative technologies that can empower policymakers and program administrators to make informed decisions for the betterment of our communities,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “The successful development and implementation of government policies and practices also relies on the adoption of technologies that support a data collaboration ecosystem.” "The Convening, hosted by our partners at the Coleridge Initiative, has been a huge success in showcasing the work of those engaged with the Multi-State Data Collaborative (MSDC) and the impactful work in areas such as reemployment and post-secondary completions," said Scott B. Sanders, President and CEO of NASWA. "These discussions and as well as support from foundations will help grow our member participation in the MSDC, allow partnerships with research groups to unfold, and move their vision to value generation in evidence-based policy discussions." During the three-day convening, attendees participated in interactive panel discussions for insights into how data collaboration can lead to better outcomes in public policy and administration. Attendees learned about innovative projects funded through the Democratizing our Data Challenge, domain-specific multi-partner product development, state-driven research practices, effective code modernization and reproducibility, cross-domain privacy-preserving techniques, and legal frameworks to break data-sharing barriers. Convening attendees also learned about federal and philanthropic funding progress with initiatives on data innovation and collaboration including state data linkages and use, training programs, technological enhancements, and collaborative community building.  About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-certified environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more:www.coleridgeinitiative.org

19 Mar 2024

Revolutionizing State Policy: MDRC and Coleridge Initiative Forge New Partnership to Drive Sustainable Change

ARLINGTON, VA. – In an unprecedented collaboration, MDRC and the Coleridge Initiative announced the launch of the State IMPACT (Innovative Models for Policy Acceleration & Collaborative Testing) Collaborative on Tuesday, March 19th. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide funding and research support to transform state policymaking by leveraging advanced data analytics and collaborative research to foster evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development. At the Heart of State IMPACT: Innovative Data Integration: Utilizing Coleridge Initiative’s renowned Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), which enables secure cross-agency and cross-state collaboration, the collaboration provides an unparalleled platform for data use, applied analytics training, and research for effective policymaking and program administration. Expertise and Experience: Drawing on MDRC’s track record of conducting high-impact evaluations and the strong relationships both organizations have developed with state agencies, the Collaborative will bring about meaningful policy improvements. Collaborative Excellence: The Collaborative will foster synergy between data providers, state employees, expert researchers, and data scientists working together to test new strategies in critical areas such as education, criminal justice, and employment. "Through the State IMPACT Collaborative, we're setting a new standard for how states can use data to inform policy and drive progress," said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. "By harnessing our combined expertise with the innovative use of data, we're poised to make significant strides in evidence-based policymaking." Virginia Knox, President of MDRC, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the initiative. "We are excited to launch this new partnership with our longstanding colleagues at the Coleridge Initiative and with states interested in using their data to build stronger and more effective policies and programs,” said MDRC President Virginia Knox. “Each of us brings unique skills and capacities that will advance this important work.” The State IMPACT Collaborative will vastly streamline data acquisition for use by evaluators and enhance the skills of state staff to conduct analyses of their own. Inspired by the success of an earlier initiative, the TANF Data Collaborative, the State IMPACT Collaborative will bring together data providers, state employees, MDRC researchers, and Coleridge data scientists to collaborate on high-quality tests of the effectiveness of new state strategies in education, criminal justice, income support, and employment, using linked sources of government data. Ultimately, this initiative has the potential to foster a culture of experimentation in state agencies, to bridge gaps in the fragmented data infrastructure in these state systems, and to build states’ analytic capacity, culminating in a public report that demonstrates the benefits to states of moving in this direction.    For more information on the Collaborative, visit the Coleridge Initiative website. About MDRC MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1974, conducts rigorous studies of programs and policies that affect people with low incomes, actively disseminates lessons to policymakers and practitioners, and works directly with programs and agencies to help improve their effectiveness. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-certified environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org

28 Feb 2024

Richard Ferguson Joined the Coleridge Initiative as New Chief Technology Officer

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. announced on Wednesday, February 28th that Richard Ferguson has been appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer. Ferguson will help lead the continued expansion and innovation of Coleridge’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). “As the new CTO, Rich will play a critical role in the advancement of our award-winning ADRF platform,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “Rich has a wealth of knowledge and his diverse experience will greatly contribute to our organization’s technological advancements. He has extensive background and expertise in strategically applying information security, software development, and systems engineering across government and non-governmental sectors.” “The potential of the ADRF platform in revolutionizing data analysis and decision-making in the public sector is immense and truly inspiring,” said Richard Ferguson, Chief Technology Officer, Coleridge Initiative. “I am eager to work with the team to further enhance this technology, making it more robust, user-centric, and innovative. We have the opportunity to make a significant impact on public policy and governance, and I look forward to contributing to this transformative journey.” Ferguson previously served as a Federal Chief Information Officer at the Federal Labor Relations Authority, as Chief of Technology Engineering for the Executive Office of the President, and as Chief Technology Officer for Lulius Innovation. He also served as a National Security Fellow at Harvard University and as a Brookings Congressional Fellow working for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill.  Ferguson holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nevada and a master’s degree in Leadership from Georgetown University.  About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.  The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge works with government agencies to create value by providing public agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy in order to develop better policies for the public good. They facilitate the development of collaborations within and across states allowing for new technologies to be developed through the secure access to and sharing of confidential microdata. They do this by providing a platform to securely link confidential data within and across states and agencies, and by providing training classes to agency staff. Their platform is the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) which is a secure, FedRAMP-certified, cloud-based environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. For more information about Coleridge, the ADRF, and their training program, visit: www.coleridgeinitiative.org  ###

04 Jan 2024

Unleashing 'Evidence 2.0'

Commentary | The power of data linkages in evidence-based policymaking

Evidence-based policymaking thought leaders Nick Hart and Jason Saul recently heralded a new phase in the drive for evidence-based policymaking.  “Evidence 1.0 is great: we’ve generated a wealth of better knowledge, and that is fantastic. But the real point is to make all that knowledge accessible and usable.” Evidence 2.0, they said, is all about the data.  Actually, I think it’s all about turning data into actionable insights. While current evidence building efforts are generating a lot of information, we may be missing genuine insights that are right under our noses. In our experience at the Coleridge Initiative, you need to connect disparate data points to derive actionable insights. It's about recognizing and tapping into the immense potential inherent in data linkages. The true essence lies not just in the data itself, but in the art of connecting, itself. Imagine having multiple pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, each held by different individuals in separate rooms.  Read the full article below.

19 Jul 2023

Jeffrey C. Thomson Joins Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. announced on Wednesday, July 19th that Jeffrey C. Thomson, CMA, CSCA was elected to the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors on June 30, 2023. Thomson complements the composition of the board with his knowledge and technical expertise in financial and management accounting. “I am pleased to announce that Mr. Thomson has joined our board,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “With his extensive experience as a chief financial officer and CEO, Jeffrey brings a unique blend of financial expertise and analytical acumen to our organization.” “I am honored to join the Coleridge Initiative’s esteemed board,” said Thomson. “I am deeply inspired by Coleridge’s fundamental purpose to use ‘big data’ and data analytics for societal good. I truly believe that data science can transform professions and serve the public interest, in this case, positively influencing public policy and programs across the U.S. in workforce development and K-12 education.”   “I am thrilled to have Jeff Thomson join the board,” said Dr. Michael Holland, Chair of the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors. “Jeff’s technical expertise in financial and management accounting are skills that will benefit Coleridge as we grow.  But more than that, Jeff has a clear passion for the mission of the Coleridge Initiative.” Thomson is Senior Strategic Advisor for Competent Boards, Inc., and Executive in Residence – Thought Leadership for Becker Professional Development, both global brands focused on competency development for senior business leaders in the face of a disruptive, high velocity and transformative global market. Thomson has been named in Accounting Today’s “Top 100 Most Influential People List” for the past 14 years and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Trust Across America/Trust Across the World.  Thomson earned his master’s degree in mathematical statistics from Montclair State University, and completed executive education programs at Wharton, MIT, and Columbia University. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-certified environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org   ###