National Broadband Navigator: Development & Impacts
Harry Crissy, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
Jim Ladlee, Program Leader, Emerging & Advanced Technologies
Penn State Extension, Penn State University
Kyle Snyder, Broadband Planning Specialist
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Explore how the National Broadband Navigator utilizes geospatial intelligence and applied research to support significant broadband deployment across Pennsylvania and the nation. Learn about the creation of a national broadband map that enables stakeholders at all levels—from government officials to local communities—to make data-driven decisions for broadband expansion, particularly emphasizing adoption in underserved areas. This tool combines high-quality data, strategic partnerships, and educational outreach in advancing digital infrastructure and broadband accessibility.
Using Data Analytics to Identify Underinvested and Marginalized Communities
Caroline Riegel, Research and Data Analyst
Maggie Livelsberger, Policy Director
Pennsylvania Partnership for Children
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is a statewide, independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization which advocates for the improved health, education, and well-being of children and youth in the Commonwealth. As part of the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) grant extension in 2023, PPC conducted a comprehensive analysis of child outcomes across the state related to the areas of nutrition, maternal health, and early intervention. This session will describe how PPC utilized a wide variety of county-level data points to identify communities that have been historically underinvested and marginalized in those policy areas. In addition to defining the methodology, the discussion will focus on policy implications of the findings moving forward.
United for ALICE: Use Cases & Insights for Pennsylvania
Philip Falvo, Public Policy Director
United Way of Pennsylvania
Discover how data-driven insights from ALICE reports are reshaping policies and community strategies in Pennsylvania. This session offers an in-depth look at how these comprehensive financial hardship metrics inform solutions that enhance economic stability for ALICE households—those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Additionally, this session will delve into the intricacies of the ALICE data, examining the methodologies and the development of tools such as dashboards that facilitate comprehensive data analysis and visualization.
Applied Data Visualization Tools
Paul Haugland, Health Informatics Manager
Wright Center for Community Health
Explore how the integration of socioeconomic data collection into the Electronic Medical Records system (EMR), specifically MEDENT, supports strategic patient care initiatives. This session highlights the use of tablets to capture data, which is then visualized on the iDashboard platform, displaying metrics like behavioral health needs, demographic breakdowns, and insurance coverage. Learn about the direct impact of this data on organizing targeted community support activities such as food pantries and grant-funded projects, demonstrating the practical application of data-driven decision-making in healthcare.
Christy Beane, Assistant Director of Judicial District Operations
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
This session provides an overview of the Magisterial District Court Map, a tool developed by AOPC in collaboration with PaSDC, that provides a simple and efficient way to look up an address to assist the public in identifying magisterial district boundaries and locating magisterial district court offices. The MDJ locator map is a benefit to court staff and the public when trying to determine which MDJ has jurisdiction of an address. Court staff can share the MDJ locator map website with individuals who frequently file civil and or landlord tenant cases in the MDJ offices so they can verify jurisdiction without having to call the court directly. The map also provides markers for county courthouses, law enforcement agencies, and both county and state facilities.
Regional Analysis Techniques
Nick Mannone, Data Analyst
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) typically employs a “compare to regional average method” in reporting on Environmental Justice as part of its Transportation Improvement Program. This year, SPC Data Analysts have compiled the Environmental Justice report data using Location Quotients as an alternative statistical method. This presentation will explore a comparison of the two methods, and delve into the additional analytical context that a Location Quotient approach may provide for analyzing Environmental Justice data and other data-related topics.
Frank Alvarado, Director of Research & Data Management
Lehigh Valley Economic Development CorporationThe Hot Careers Lehigh Valley Dashboard is an interactive tool that the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) launched in the fall of 2023 to help students, from elementary school through college, and adult job seekers explore career opportunities in industries that are thriving in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. The dashboard supports LVEDC’s Talent Strategies initiative, developing programs and partnerships that ensure companies have the skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive and produce more family-sustaining jobs. Users can view in-demand occupations by the education level typically required for jobs or by industry sectors that hire people in those occupations. Users also can search for occupations and learn how to prepare for careers in those fields and which Lehigh Valley institutions offer those programs. In addition, users can search for education programs they want to pursue or degrees they have and see a list of jobs for which they are qualified.
American Community Survey Updates
Caleb Hopler, Supervisory Survey Statistician
U.S. Census Bureau
An overview of the latest updates to the American Community Survey (ACS), focusing on the integration and refinement of key demographic measures such as Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), disability status, and race/ethnicity. This session will explore the technical and methodological enhancements that have been implemented to ensure precise and relevant data collection.
High Frequency Surveys
Cassandra "Cass" Logan, Survey Director, Associate Director for Demographic Programs - Survey Operations
U.S. Census Bureau
Explore the Demographic High-Frequency Surveys (DHFS) Program, an initiative leveraging the Household Pulse Survey and other rapid-response tools to meet emergent national, regional, and state-level data needs. This session will delve into how the DHFS Program has transitioned from an emergency response tool to a robust, sustainable framework capable of producing near real-time data to inform policy and community decisions. Learn about the streamlined survey lifecycle, minimal infrastructure requirements, and the partnership-driven approach that empower stakeholders to respond swiftly to evolving social and economic challenges.
Testing & Implementing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in the ACS
Renee Stepler, Research Survey Statistician, Center for Behavioral Science Methods
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is testing the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions in the American Community Survey (ACS). As a multi-mode survey, the ACS test will include internet, paper, and personal-interview responses. A split-panel test will be conducted that includes the testing of question wording and categories, along with alternatives to write-in collection in the internet mode. In particular, the ACS will focus on evaluating the feasibility and quality of within household proxy response for the SOGI questions. Cognitive interviews are also being conducted to evaluate respondents’ ability to comprehend and answer SOGI items across languages, survey modes, and subgroups. This presentation will provide an overview of these test plans.
Population Estimates Program
Amel Toukabri, Chief Local Government Estimates and Migration Processing Branch
U.S. Census Bureau
This presentation provides an overview of the population and housing unit estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program (PEP). It will examine the methodologies used and the rationale behind these estimates, highlighting their importance for demographic and economic analysis. Additionally, the session will detail the release schedule for PEP products and describe how to access and effectively utilize this data in demographic analyses.