AISP Background

The Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) project is an initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation through a series of grants to University of Pennsylvania Professors Dennis Culhane, School of Social Policy and Practice, and John Fantuzzo, Graduate School of Education. The principal aim of AISP is to improve the quality of education, health and human service agencies’ policies and practices through the use of integrated data systems. Quality integrated data systems are designed to help executive leaders in municipal, county, and state government evaluate and establish effective programs for the people they serve.


2009-2012: AISP Phase I

During Phase I, AISP focused on the following objectives:

  • Developing a professional network of IDS experts
  • Identifying best practices
  • Demonstrating research and analytic capacities
  • Educating government agencies and foundations about the value of IDS
  • Working with federal and state officials to promote policies for secure data sharing

2013 – 2015: AISP Phase II

During Phase II, AISP focused on the following objectives:

  • Sustain the Professional Network and collaborate among network sites
  • Formalize the models and methods to develop new IDS sites
  • Showcase exemplary uses of cross-site research
  • Continuing to work with federal and state officials to promote policies for secure data sharing
  • Providing consultation to government and university partners on how to develop an IDS

2016-2018: AISP Phase III

The current goals of the AISP project are to:

  • Launch a formal training and technical assistance program for new and developing IDS sites
  • Develop a model for using IDS with randomized control trials (RCTs)
  • Continue to sustain the Professional Network and collaboration across network sites
  • Continue to showcase exemplary uses of cross-site research
  • Develop an international professional network of academic researchers that utilize IDS
  • Continue working with federal and state officials to promote policies for secure data sharing
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