2020 State Standard of Excellence

In 2020, Arkansas named the state’s new Chief Data Officer. The Chief Data Officer position, created by a 2017 law, leads the state’s efforts to improve data use, infrastructure, and security.

In 2020, California appointed a new Chief Data Officer. This position is responsible for creating data strategies that improve programs statewide and lead to better outcomes, with a particular focus on connecting traditionally siloed data.

Colorado’s Chief Data Officer position determines the state’s data strategy, policies, standards, and management with the support of the state’s Government Data Advisory Board, which was created by a 2009 state statute. The Board utilizes subcommittees that focus on policy areas, such as: education, early childhood development, and privacy. Within state agencies, data officers, analysts, and researchers also support data collection, analysis and use, with a total of 70% of state agencies in Colorado reporting dedicated data leadership entities.

A 2017 Indiana law (p. 8) established the position of Chief Data Officer with the budget, staff, and authority to: (1) coordinate data analytics and data transparency for state agencies; (2) advise state agencies regarding best practices for data maintenance, security, and privacy; and (3) oversee the Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH). MPH uses state data, such as the Education and Workforce Development database, to provide “analytics solutions tailored to address complex management and policy questions enabling improved outcomes.”

In 2018, Kentucky established a Chief Data Officer position to “coordinate and oversee the sharing of data” and “implement effective data governance strategies designed to maintain data integrity, confidentiality, availability, security, and to promote access to data.” Kentucky’s statewide Chief Data Officer is the senior executive responsible for leading data management with the support of Agency Data Officers who coordinate data management practices within their respective agencies. Agency Data Officers meet monthly to share best practices and support the state’s data initiatives.

New Jersey’s Chief Data Officer leads statewide data transparency initiatives and open data projects, such as the Open Data Center, Governor’s Transparency Center, and Superstorm Sandy Transparency website.

North Carolina’s Chief Data Officer maintains the North Carolina Government Data Analytics Center, which manages data sharing, integration, and data analytics to improve service delivery and the efficiency of services. In this role, the Chief Data Officer has the authority, staff, and budget “to transform existing data assets into an information utility for the state’s policy and operational leaders for their use in making program investment decisions; managing resources; and improving financial programs, budgets, and results.”

In 2019, Minnesota established a statewide Chief Data and Evaluation Officer with the authority, staff, and budget to collect, analyze, share, and use data to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of public programs. This Chief Data and Evaluation Officer leads a team of analysts and research scientists who partner with state agencies to integrate useful information into strategic planning, budget formulation, and ongoing management. In the context of the COVID-19 response, this team provides daily data updates to the Governor and other state leaders on hospital surge capacity, economic and food security, and the availability of child care for workers in critical sectors. The Chief Data and Evaluation Officer also assists state agencies in leveraging the expertise and resources of national experts and peer states.

In 2019, the Ohio Governor’s Office established the Chief Data Advocate role as a senior staff member with the authority to collect, analyze, share, and use data to improve state government programs. The Chief Data Advocate works under InnovateOhio, which was created in 2019 and is led by the Lieutenant Governor. The executive order that created InnovateOhio states a presumption of data-sharing between state agencies, except where a specific legal prohibition is identified in writing.

A 2018 Oregon law instituted a Chief Data Officer responsible for the state’s centralized data strategy, including an enterprise open data platform. The Chief Data Officer is charged with creating open data standards, providing privacy guidance for state agencies, identifying opportunities for data sharing, and designing stakeholder engagement strategies, including an advisory committee.

Rhode Island’s Data Ecosystem, managed by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, uses state data from more than 15 sources, including health, child welfare, and human services. The Ecosystem is led by a Director of Data and Analytics and a team of analysts who use integrated data to improve state programs. The Ecosystem produces regular dashboards that are used for internal performance management meetings.

In 2019, Utah appointed a Chief Data Officer to increase interagency data integration. The Chief Data Officer administers an integrated client database to facilitate secure sharing of administrative data and improve service delivery outcomes. A 2014 law created a State Open Data Coordinator to oversee the state’s open-data catalog, interoperability projects, and support the Office of the State Auditor.

A 2018 Virginia law established a Chief Data Officer role to coordinate data sharing among state, regional, and local entities. The Chief Data Officer coordinates the state’s Data-Sharing and Analytics Advisory Committee and is responsible for data governance, including policies related to open data, data sharing, and data privacy.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Research and Data Analysis Division is led by a Director who is responsible for providing policymakers with data and analyses to improve the effectiveness of services for clients. The Director oversees the Department’s Integrated Client Database, which brings together data from 10 state agencies, 40 separate data systems, and millions of individuals receiving services through publicly-funded health and human services programs in Washington State.