Moral Implications of Analytics and Cognitive Computing

As we look forward to the Stewards of Change symposium in a few weeks, I have been thinking about the challenges to using advanced analytics and cognitive computing to strengthen human services programs.  Of course, I am not alone.  Recently, academic and policy journals have published articles wrestling with the potential moral impact of predictive […]

Where Integrated Data Systems are Already Getting Results

In the weeks before the 12th annual Stewards of Change symposium, many of us are anticipating a somewhat anxious conversation about health and human services systems reform. Supporters of the measures within the Affordable Care Act that promote better sharing and use of data are mindful that Congress has recently taken a first step towards […]

Taking Action During Disruptive Times: Two Exciting New SOCI Projects

(With Thanks to Kresge Foundation and Health Information and Management Systems Society) Wherever any of us may fall on the political spectrum, most professionals working to improve the health and well-being of people in our country can probably agree on this: It’s hard to predict how the disparate pieces of the healthcare puzzle will come […]

Spreading the Word on the Impact of Interoperability and Open Data: Our Latest Symposium Focused Sharply on Improving Children’s Lives

Over the past decade, the steadily escalating use of open data has expanded knowledge, driven innovation, enhanced effectiveness and improved outcomes in a growing number of realms, particularly relating to health, healthcare and human services. Stewards of Change Institute, seeing the opportunity (and the need) to expand this work even further, recently held an event […]

Yes, We Can Share Information, Improve Outcomes AND Protect Privacy!

I’m going to start today with a confession: I am a true believer. Preaching and teaching the value of information-sharing and interoperability to improve health and human services (and thereby people’s lives) is not only my job; it is my passion. So I was honored when the National League of Cities recently asked me to […]

New York State Confidentiality Toolkit Developed to Assist with Cross System Information Sharing

New York State continues in its efforts toward interoperability and toward using technology to improve services to its citizens, especially those most vulnerable and in need of public intervention to reach independence.  The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) – under the leadership of former Commissioner Gladys Carrion, former OCFS CIO Bill […]