Newsletter | September 2025

CTData Awarded 2025 Local Data for Equitable Communities Grant

We’re excited to share that we’ve been selected for the 2025 Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute. This grant will support the City of Hartford’s Sports and Recreation Department and Active City to better understand the barriers Hartford families face in accessing sports and recreation. With alumni from the Hartford Youth Data Fellows, we’ll be mapping facility access, gathering community input through surveys and focus groups, and developing recommendations for city investments in youth development. Our goal is to help expand sports and recreation opportunities for Hartford youth. 

Using Data to Address Childcare Challenges in Hartford

As federal funding for safety net programs declines, local communities face mounting pressure to fill childcare and early learning gaps with limited resources that support healthy child development, enable parents to fully participate in the workforce, and improve the local economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with the City of Hartford to develop a data-driven approach to pandemic recovery that combined enrollment analysis, provider surveys, and parent focus groups to guide targeted outreach and system improvements—addressing the city's challenge of having administrative data but lacking the capacity to analyze it for equitable decision-making. Read how this collaboration helped the city secure funding, boost enrollment, and create a framework other localities can follow to strengthen their communities

Connecticut ICE Arrests Double as Enforcement Expands Statewide

Recent reports of ICE activity in Connecticut prompted us to examine the scope of this increased enforcement. Our analysis reveals that ICE arrests in Connecticut have more than doubled in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with arrests in the community rising from 67% to 88%. ICE arrests have occurred in 33 towns in 2025 statewide, with the highest number of arrests in Hartford. Read our blog post to learn more about this surge in activity and what the data shows about trends in ICE arrests in Connecticut.

Simple Ways to Make Your Data Visualizations More Accessible

In July, we held a session discussing data visualization design principles centered around equity and accessibility. Sometimes, when creating visualizations, we get so caught up in the design that we may not fully consider those who may not have the same data background. We explored how our design decisions for data visualizations could potentially exclude parts of our audiences, shaping who can gain insights from the data and who isn't. We also examined what accessibility means, best practices for inclusive design, and heard from several CTData staff members who have made adjustments to their own work. 

September 16 - Racial Profiling in Connecticut: Using Data to Measure and Address Disparities

September 24 - Learn About Connecticut Geographies with a Census Bureau Expert!

September 26 - Data for Democracy - Bridging Data Gaps and Building Community Connections (New Haven)

October 7 - Data for Democracy - Serving Clients Safely: Data Protection Strategies for Uncertain Times

October 9 - Visualize What Matters: Create Impactful Data Viz (New Haven)

December 3 - CTData Conference 2025

Earth Friendly Project Survey

Twenty-five million Americans face mobility challenges, but 80% of low-income households can't afford ramps. The Earth Friendly Project is running a survey to find out how many people struggle with getting ramps for their homes, whether they use wheelchairs or have other mobility needs. The survey results will help them identify the biggest needs, enabling them to better assist people who need ramps but can't afford them.

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