Reassessing Roles in a Changing Local Data Environment National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership Better Data. Better Decisions. Better Communities. Columbus, Ohio June 21, 2013

LOCAL PARTNERS IN NNIP The basics Build and operate information systems with recurrently updated indicators on neighborhood conditions Facilitate and promote the direct practical use of indicators by community and city leaders for community building and local policy making Emphasize the use of information to build the capacities of institutions and residents in distressed neighborhoods

OTHER PLAYERS, EXPANDING ROLES Local governments Open data agenda, in-house GIS & analysis Civic developers & consultants Applications to take advantage of the new data Other universities, research institutes Expanding capacities Work to develop new data specialties Issue specific data groups E.g., Kids Count, environmental advocacy organizations

Opportunity to promote coherence and effectiveness, across the new environment NNIP partners could: Stake out the leadership role, or be active participants in the collaboration Centralized functions Convene the players (structure collaboration) Reinforcement (newsletter, data catalogs) More aggressive role in educating the public and promoting good data use RESPONDING TO THE CHANGE

Promote/facilitate open data Work with data holders on release strategies Help guide/coordinate civic developers Facilitate entry and leave-behinds with groups like Code for America Train and assist users Data driven decision-making for community leaders Short courses for other civic groups (e.g., on ACS) Train on new topics (e.g., performance management) Expand help desk functions (hands on TA) MORE ROLES TO PLAY

The new environment in three metros Twin Cities – Jacob Wascalus Detroit – Kurt Metzger Atlanta – Tahmida Shamsuddin Questions to guide discussion Conditions in evolution of your own environment that contrast – what changes, implications/ How do you see changes in role of your own organization to respond? What should the network do to support local partners in this evolution? THIS MORNING