Newsletter | August 2025

New Survey Results Reveal Challenges Facing Families of Young Children in CT

According to our analysis published in the newly released RAPID-EC Connecticut Fact Sheet, 65% of rural Connecticut families face material hardship. Led by Stanford Center on Early Childhood and developed in partnership with The Connecticut Project and community-based organizations, the data highlights the prevalence of material hardship, with over half of surveyed families reporting difficulty meeting basic needs. Notably, many families also struggle with utility costs, including paying for electricity. Explore the findings below.

Connecticut Business Activity Tracker

Data from the Connecticut Secretary of the State reveals that annual net business formations across the state have tripled from 13,847 in 2010 to 44,146 in 2024, with the Capitol Planning Region now leading at 27% of all new businesses. We've released a dashboard that tracks these business formations, closures, and net growth trends from 2010 to 2025 and put together an analysis of the data. With this tool, you can explore the data at the state, regional, and town levels. Explore the interactive dashboard and read our full analysis of the data on our website.

Roles and Goals in the Affordable Housing System

​In October 2024, The The CT Project brought in CTData to work with a group of organizations that, despite sharing the common goal of increasing affordable housing in Connecticut, had been historically disconnected. Through Data Strategic Planning (workshops and coaching sessions) these organizations explored how their varied work from policy advocacy to development financing -- are connected within Connecticut's housing landscape. 

We also explored how each organization’s work contributes to system-wide goals, which helped surface where activities overlap, where gaps exist, and where barriers might be slowing progress. When organizations doing interconnected work align their roles and goals, they can turn informal networks into collaborations that advance individual missions while strengthening the systems that sustain change. Read more.

Centering Racial Equity Throughout Data Work: AISP's Updated Toolkit

Every decision in data projects - from planning to sharing results - has the potential to either advance racial equity or create harm. Our June Community of Practice session with guests Amy Hawn Nelson and Isabel Algrant from Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) focused on the AISP Toolkit for Centering Racial Equity Throughout Data Integration to address this challenge. Participants discovered how the 2025 toolkit and companion workbook provide strategies for centering racial equity throughout all stages of data work. Watch the full recording of the webinar here.

Equity in Data Happy Hour

On August 19th we’re hosting our second Equity in Data Happy Hour at Fire by Forge in Hartford from 4:30-6pm! This is an opportunity to connect with others who are part of (or interested in) the Equity in Data Community of Practice. Tickets are $15 and include appetizers with vegan and gluten-free options. There will be s a cash bar with non-alcoholic drinks and free, ample parking. We can’t wait to see you there! Additionally, wheelchair-accessible entry, restrooms and seating are available. Please let us know if you need any other accommodations and we will communicate those needs to the venue. 

Making Sense of Numbers: Analyze Quantitative Data (New Haven)

Do you work with data regularly but wish you had more confidence in analyzing it? During this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to ask and answer data questions as an approach to data analysis. We will cover how to work with quantitative data (numbers) and give you the tools to analyze it confidently. Join us on August 14th and take your data analysis skills to the next level!
 

2025 CTData Conference

This year’s CTData Conference will feature a range of sessions, such as our popular Data Tools 101 session. In this year’s session, CTData staff will show you how to go from raw data to impactful visualizations using accessible, easy-to-use tools including Excel, Alteryx, Datawrapper, and Canva. Join us to expand your data toolkit and connect with like-minded professionals. Be sure to get your early bird tickets before September 8!

AcademyHealth Request for Additional Information: Federal Data Removal

Since late January, in response to Executive Orders and directives from the Trump Administration, the federal government has removed or modified thousands of webpages and resources containing a wide range of data and information from public health agencies. In response to this, AcademyHealth, along with eight other plaintiffs, has joined a federal lawsuit seeking to restore access to this critical data. Read more in AcademyHealth's press release.

If your work has been directly affected by these changes, we invite you to share your experience through this Google form by August 8, 2025, to have your information included. They are especially interested in understanding how the loss or alteration of this information has affected not only research, clinical practice, or public health workflows—but also the health, safety, and well-being of the people these efforts are meant to serve. 

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