Turning Data and Community Engagement into Policy in New York City

As city officials develop policies for their yearly budgets, plan for long-term needs and prepare for shocks (i.e., pandemics, economic downturns, increase in crime) and economic opportunities, they will need data that accurately reflects the current needs of their residents, especially the most vulnerable populations and communities. Real-time data, at the individual and neighborhood level, enables policymakers and community leaders to identify needs, develop and implement effective and efficient policies, target resources to specific community needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of these policies. For this Capstone project, the team will use survey data to identify and better understand specific needs-based policy problems in New York, especially focusing on access to childcare. Key areas covered by the survey include: food insecurity, housing insecurity, homelessness, access to childcare, employment, school and technology, public safety and health.