#United States #Washington D.C. #Coleridge Initiative #ADRF #Democratizing Our Data Challenge

Coleridge Initiative's New Cohort for Data-Driven Policy Advancement

On June 17, 2025, the Coleridge Initiative unveiled its latest cohort for the third round of the Democratizing Our Data Challenge (DDC). This initiative focuses on utilizing administrative data to empower researchers in developing and scaling innovative data products that underpin public policy and programs. By harnessing the capabilities of the Coleridge's secure data platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), the participating teams aim to enhance the decision-making processes of public leaders through data-informed insights.

Since the program's inception in 2022, the DDC has sought to address significant challenges faced by various sectors. By fostering partnerships among state agencies, universities, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations, the initiative has ignited collaboration that bridges gaps in data usage and enhances its impact.

The third round of funding will support projects targeting critical areas: workforce development, education, and corrections. These projects are designed to drive meaningful change by applying research findings to practical scenarios.

Featured Projects in the 2025 Cohort

1. DC/VA/MD Award: Connecting Education to Employment
This innovative initiative links education and workforce data across multiple jurisdictions for the first time, significantly bettering the understanding of outcomes for residents who began their education within K-12 systems. By demonstrating the efficacy of sharing data across state lines, this project highlights the potential for improving employment outcomes based on educational backgrounds.

2. Connecticut Corrections Award: Supporting Re-Entry through Workforce Training
This research will assess how educational and training programs offered in prisons, such as Vocational Village and Second Chance Pell, impact individuals' employment and financial stability post-release. The findings will provide invaluable insights regarding these programs' effectiveness beyond correctional settings, making a case for their expansion.

3. Connecticut Childcare Award: Childcare and Family Stability
Aiming to explore how childcare subsidies can assist parents in completing job training, this project integrates data from various support services including Jobs First Employment Services (JFES), Care 4 Kids, and K-12 education programs. The research seeks to establish a clearer understanding of how these programs contribute to family welfare and stability, facilitating better outcomes for parents entering the workforce.

Support and Previous Accomplishments

The DDC is made possible through generous grants from Ascendium Education Group, the Gates Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation, contributing to the advancement of policy-oriented research. The previous rounds of the DDC have showcased successful initiatives from states like New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio, and others, where multi-state collaborations have yielded new tools and dashboards to analyze workforce and education data effectively.

The Coleridge Initiative continues to pave the way for effective data utilization in public policy. With the support of its dedicated networks and philanthropic funding, the organization is committed to enhancing data literacy across government entities and encouraging innovative solutions that derive from collaborative efforts.

To learn more about the Coleridge Initiative and its transformative projects, visit www.coleridgeinitiative.org.