Are you exploring how your state government can use AI in productive, responsible ways? Or is your state already advancing major AI initiatives and grappling with questions around accountability, governance, and best practices? Join States for the Future for our next Virtual Community Discussion featuring experts from the Data Integration Support Center (DISC) on Wednesday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT. Together, we’ll dig into how states can leverage AI and data innovation effectively, responsibly, and in service of the public good. Register below and come ready to discuss how data-driven tools can accelerate progress in your state—and the critical role state-based advocates can play in shaping this fast-evolving landscape.
In January, States for the Future’s first Virtual Community Discussion focused on women’s issues. We were joined by Dr. Megan Godfrey, policy analyst at the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and former Arkansas state representative, for an inside look at how WFA is advancing economic opportunity for women across the state. Megan shared how the Foundation developed its Policy Framework and how her experience in the legislature helped shape its direction.
You can view the presentation slides from this event at this link, and click here to view a recording of the presentation.
At our August 21 Virtual Community Discussion, the States for the Future community explored how states can use data to improve outcomes in education and workforce policy. MDRC experts Melissa Wavelet, Dan Cullinan, and Colin Hill shared powerful lessons from their work across states
Multiple Measure Assessment: Institutions across the country are rethinking how they evaluate student outcomes and readiness for postsecondary coursework. Instead of relying solely on standardized tests, the Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA) model also uses high school GPA and other indicators.
ASAP model: First developed in New York, this model gives community college students more structured support, like advising and transportation help, and has shown positive academic and wage outcomes for students.
Cross-state Collaboration: States like Mississippi and Ohio are part of the IMPACT Collaborative, where agencies get hands-on coaching to test new policies using real data. These efforts help states better connect services and improve employment outcomes.
Click below to view the presentation slides and a recording of the Virtual Community Discussion. The views and opinions expressed by presenters are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of States for the Future or any participating organization.
Data is more than numbers: it’s a catalyst for improving student outcomes and shaping effective policies. On August 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, States for the Future invites you to a Virtual Community Discussion featuring the research and policy experts at MDRC, a nationally recognized organization that produces rigorous evidence on pressing education and workforce challenges. During this session, MDRC will highlight a series of state-led programs they’ve studied and supported, sharing how data-informed evaluation and research have led to meaningful improvements in program implementation and outcomes such as academic achievement. At States for the Future, we believe that evidence-based decision making is essential for driving progress at the state level. Those interested in harnessing data to improve education policy and practice should plan to register and join.
Connect (and re-connect) with your counterparts in other states
The States for the Future convening will be an opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate with like-minded organizations that are leading policy conversations in their state with data and research. Building on the success of our two annual convenings in 2023 and 2024, our agenda will provide ample opportunities to learn how organizations similar to your own overcome challenges, engage their community, and inspire data-driven policy that positively impacts their state.
Agenda highlights include:
Navigating policy topics as non-partisan organizations
Building good data products
Engaging in the policymaking process
Storytelling and communicating with data
Getting smarter on key policy topics like education, housing, childcare, infrastructure, water and more
More detailed session information, including a full program agenda, will be provided in the coming months.
Who should attend?
This event provides a rare opportunity to connect with and learn alongside fellow experts and practitioners from across the country who share your commitment to data and research in advancing long term solutions to the many challenges states face.
To create opportunities for organizational and state ecosystem planning, we encourage you to share this invitation with a cross-section of colleagues from within and outside of your organization, such as:
Senior leadership in communications, policy, data, and programming at your organization
Key stakeholders from philanthropy, research community, and the business community in your state
Event logistics
As was in the case in prior years, there is no registration fee for this conference and SFF will cover all meals on site. This year, participants will be responsible for theirown lodging and travel to the meeting. By completing the registration form, a hotel room will be reserved for you at the Canopy; there is no need to contact the hotel separately. SFF has secured a group rate of $299 (plus taxes and fees) per night for hotel rooms. Participants will pay for lodging when they arrive at the hotel.
Hotel rooms are available to meeting attendees on the nights of Tuesday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 5. Sessions will begin the morning of November 5 and end midday on November 6. We encourage out-of-town guests to arrive on Tuesday, November 4 in order to take full advantage of our sessions together.
We will host a dinner the evening of November 4 for anyone whose travel itinerary enables them to join (more details forthcoming).
Limited travel and/or lodging assistance is available for those for whom these costs would otherwise prohibit attendance. Please email info@statesforthefuture.org for more information.
About our location
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown (920 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203) is in the heart of the city and offers close proximity to many of the area’s attractions.
RSVP information
To secure a room as a part of our hotel room block, participants must RSVP by the extended deadline of October 10. Complete the registration form below to reserve your space at the convening and lodging accommodations.
For our June Virtual Community Discussion we dove into Evidence-Based Budgeting with experts from Results for America. As federal budget priorities shift, states across the country could soon be facing tough fiscal choices. Now more than ever, it’s critical for states to ensure every dollar counts.
Speakers Patrick Carter and Sarah Needler from Results for America described best practices for evidence-based budgeting, and offered examples from states like Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Tennessee. These include creating a shared definition of evidence, building instructions and templates for budgeting processes, and using evidence indicators to monitor implementation. Adopting evidence can improve programs and program impact, and evidence can provide a competitive advantage for the states that use these practices.
Click here to view a recording of the presentation and click here to view the presentation slides.
And please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Thursday, August 21 at 2:00pm ET/10:00am PT when MDRC for our next Virtual Community Discussion on Using Data to Drive Outcomes.
As federal budget priorities shift, states across the country could soon be facing tough fiscal choices. Now more than ever, it’s critical for states to ensure every dollar counts. Join us for our June Virtual Community Discussion on June 11 at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. PT, where we’ll dive into Evidence-Based Budgeting with experts from Results for America. In this high-impact session, we’ll explore how states can use data and evidence to identify high quality programs and guide strategic investments of state dollars to maximize the return. We’ll also examine how governments can drive effective outcomes through grantmaking, purchasing, and procurement strategies rooted in what works. If you care about making budget decisions that stand up to scrutiny and deliver real results that address the needs of communities most in need, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
States for the Future was glad to host Rachel Snyderman of the Bipartisan Policy Center on the April 2025 edition of our virtual community discussions. Rachel covered current federal fiscal policy issues related to the 2025 fiscal cliff, the budget resolution for fiscal year 2025, and related issues. She specifically discussed fiscal policy impacts for states across policy areas including education and the workforce, childcare, and health.
Thank you to those that joined for this timely and engaging discussion.
You can view the slides from Rachel’s presentation using this link, and view a recording of the presentation here.
Hear about the latest in Federal policy updates from the Bipartisan Policy Center at our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion on Wednesday, April 30 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT. Rachel B. Snyderman, BPC’s Managing Director of Economic Policy, will discuss how changes in funding and fiscal policy at the Federal level could impact state services, programming, and budgets. Our conversation will cover focus areas for many organizations in our network, including education and health.
How can we ensure the policy conversations happening in our state reflect the priorities of our communities?
Join States for the Future and the Center for the Future of Arizona for a discussion on the use of polling to understand the priorities of our states’ residents. Attendees will learn about “The Arizona We Want” poll and how Center for the Future of Arizona has used polling data to engage communities and decision makers around a shared vision for Arizona’s future.
Slides for this session, including key takeaways are now available. A recording of the session content can be viewed using this link.
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Burke is the Executive Vice President of the Center for the Future of Arizona. Dr. Burke focuses on innovation and systemic change that will advance the priorities of Arizonans and the long-term future success of the state. She is responsible for the organization’s strategy, operations, and program leadership, including CFA’s statewide initiatives in the areas of education, workforce, and civic engagement. Amanda is a Senior Advisor to the States for the Future network.
About Center for the Future of Arizona: Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for their state. Born from a love for Arizona and a desire to help their state succeed, CFA invests time and resources into the state and its people, including a unique partnership with the Gallup organization to build robust survey research of Arizonans to bring critical issues to public attention, and work with communities and leaders to solve public problems.
CFA offers many resources, such as its Arizona Progress Meter, a web-based tool with interactive data and downloadable charts.
