Clarence Wardell III, PhD

💥Here’s my somewhat #HotTake on the role, influence, and impact of well-intended #megadonors on the health-focused nonprofit landscape and the work we need to have funded. What do you think about the big dollars being dropped? Oh… and I’m over the whole, “We don’t accept unsolicited proposals.” So basically you have to know someone or you have to be known to get “in.” When your head is down and in the work, how’s that supposed to work? I put a few ideas in this piece. https://lnkd.in/enbvmnvN

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How can foundations take a neighborhood approach in their funding? I often get asked this question and so have drawn up a few key ideas for anyone considering what to do. 1.Build citywide maps tracking neighborhood health 2.Develop a spatial strategy prioritizing the neighborhoods best primed to improve 3.Invest in neighborhood quarterbacks/anchors in priority locales 4.Establish small grant initiatives that boost families, collective efficacy and momentum across all neighborhoods 5.Adjust funding/evaluation criteria to incorporate a neighborhood lens; shift resources from servicing siloes to enhancing places 6.Convene a citywide brain trust of top leaders to advance a neighborhoods approach to governance across institutions Each of these require the right approach. Neighborhood health, for example, has many factors, but tracking population, relative real estate prices, vacancy rates, and transient rates over time will tell you a lot quickly. Over time, you can develop a more comprehensive scorecard. I could write a book on these issues (and actually did - Fragile Neighborhoods). Please reach out if you want to discuss any of them in more detail offline. #health #loneliness #neighborhoods #community #cities #foundations #philanthropy #placemaking Placemaking Education Danya Pastuszek Sarah Strimmenos Amanda Jamison Dawn Martz Dan Baisden Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams Tate Wilson B. Sutton Mora Aaron Kuecker Tim Soerens Shawn Duncan Jennifer Prophete Sam Pressler Ron Ivey Frances Kraft De'Amon Harges PlacemakingX Michael Matheson Miller Caleb Whitmer Jason Zylstra Rachel Weaver Ryan Kilpatrick, AICP EDFP Pamela Parriott Rip Rapson Othello Meadows Cecilia Gutierrez John B. Anna Scott Daron Babcock Thomasina (Tomi) Hiers Wendy Stewart Lisa Greenwood John Olson Elizabeth Le'anani Coffee

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Thrilled to announce that the first draft of the U.S. Federal Low Code No Code Adoption Playbook will be sent out this week for socialization to U.S. Federal Low-Code No-Code Subcommittee members!   The playbook is organized to align with a Federal Agency's low code adoption journey and this first draft will offer a set of initial findings and recommendations that covers adoption stages from initial exploration to full-scale implementation.... and we need help to make this an even better product!  We’ll be hosting a series of working group sessions in May and June where we'll work together to refine the playbook outline and initial content in this first draft.  Our work on this playbook will not stop there either… over the course of the following months, we’ll dive even deeper into each section of the playbook to further build it out with Agency lessons learned, best practices, associated resources and more. I encourage our registered community members to dive into this first draft, engage in discussions in our upcoming working groups, and share your feedback so we can make our first coordinated release a valuable tool for our community. If you are an Agency LCNC representative, Federal IT modernization champion, Industry Partner, or even a state, local, tribal and territorial representative, you too can register for Subcommunity membership and participate in our inter-agency work by joining our listserv.  To do this, send an email (from your .gov or .mil domain) requesting US Federal Low Code No Code Subcommunity of Practice membership to [email protected] . I couldn't be prouder of this huge step forward to help Federal Agencies accelerate IT modernization.  U.S. Federal Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council #digitaltransformation  #itmodernization #lowcode #lcnc #reinventinggovernment #oneteam

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Looking forward to talking about my favorite subject - how strategic public financing tools (fiscal mapping, cost modeling, sources of additional funding) can be used to influence policy and improve child and youth outcomes - at the 2024 StriveTogether Policy Summit this week. #ConveneC2C

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Total digital development geek out: USAID Digital Strategy as a song via #ChatGPT and Udio https://lnkd.in/eGcbXPGX Listen in - you'll love it! I figure that Allana Welch, MBA/MPP Eric Keys, PhD. (he/him/his) need a good pick-me-up from the AI at USAID event Steven Rynecki Andrew Merluzzi Lorri Anne Meils and a few of us are attending this week. Here's the full lyrics that are based on the Strategy: **Digital Harmony: A Song for USAID** (Verse 1) In this digital age, we rise and thrive, With open, secure systems, we drive, From nations afar to communities near, USAID's mission, let's make it clear. (Pre-Chorus) Innovation, bold and bright, With every click, we ignite, Human rights, prosperity, In our digital community. (Chorus) USAID, we unite, In the spirit of what's right, For a future that's so bright, Global development takes flight. (Verse 2) Empowering all, every race, every creed, With digital tools, we plant the seed, From health to education, food security, We build a world of possibility. (Pre-Chorus) Bridging gaps, making strides, Inclusion's our guide, Secure ecosystems, we defend, For a world where all transcend. (Chorus) USAID, we unite, In the spirit of what's right, For a future that's so bright, Global development takes flight. (Bridge) From Africa to Asia, and beyond the seas, Together we stand, as one we believe, In open access, in digital rights, USAID leads with all its might. (Verse 3) Adapting, transforming, every step we take, With partners and allies, we innovate, For a future where all can be free, In a digital world of equality. (Pre-Chorus) With every byte, with every code, On this interconnected road, We build, we transform, we protect, For a digital world of respect. (Chorus) USAID, we unite, In the spirit of what's right, For a future that's so bright, Global development takes flight. (Outro) So let's raise our voices, let the anthem ring, For the digital age, together we bring, A world that's open, secure, and bright, With USAID, we reach new heights.

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Stoked to share the U.S. Department of Commerce Equitable Data Playbook! This playbook is for all federal leaders looking to improve their capacity to better deliver for the American people. The playbook helps answer questions like: > How to identify communities most in need of federal investments? > How to design a "fit-for-purpose" data system for delivering on program goals? > How to involve communities in your program data decisions? Plus - you can check out innovative DOC programs that demonstrate "the art of the possible" with improved data capabilities. Get the playbook here: https://lnkd.in/eGMid89d Special shout out to our DOC Chief Data Officer Oliver Wise for catalyzing this important effort. Also - a special thanks to the DOC leaders and bureaus featured in the playbook, including those at the U.S. Economic Development Administration, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, USPTO, U.S. Census Bureau, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as well as to our inter-agency friends at the Office of Evaluation Sciences and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

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   💡 The National Civic League’s Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map is LIVE and we are featured!  💡 For 125 years and counting, the National Civic League inspires, supports and celebrates civic engagement. They have proudly featured Free Our Vote along with 1,257 organizations across 10 states working to protect and strengthen democracy.  🌟 What can the National Civic League's Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map do for you?  🌎 Practitioners: Discover and connect with organizations like Free Our Vote to build impactful partnerships.  💡 Funders: Identify key opportunities to support democracy-strengthening initiatives.  🏛️ Community Leaders: Gain insight into the civic infrastructure shaping your region.  🙌 Citizens: Find ways to get involved and make a difference! Together, we’re creating a healthier democracy—explore the map today! 🗺️ #HealthyDemocracy #FreeOurVote #VoterEngagement #DemocracyInAction #CivicParticipation #CivicEngagement #VotingRights #CommunityImpact

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Homelessness is a critical issue that demands attention from leaders and policymakers across all levels of government. Understanding its root causes and exploring viable solutions is essential for progress.     My colleague Francis G. Torres provided valuable insights in a comprehensive report, examining the link between homelessness and housing supply. Check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/eZ9Z7ZNS #homelessness

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I was asked to write a piece for the Washington Examiner's Restoring America's Economy series about a better vision of economic opportunity. I argue that a crucial component of such a vision must be removing work disincentives in the social safety net system, so the millions of Americans hungry to escape poverty are better empowered to do so. From my article: "Fixing benefits cliffs has the dual advantage of putting earned success through work within reach of more people eager to leave the safety net behind and achieve self-sufficiency while removing another barrier that may be contributing to the nation’s workforce shortage. If the president and Congress are serious about crafting an economic agenda that preserves America as the land of opportunity, they must rally around a vision of social safety net reform that rewards work, fosters innovation, and empowers the millions of people eager to provide a better life for their families to do so." Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/g7Tq_c3Z

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Data are stories embedded in code. 📈 🗣️ As a storyteller, policy and culture change advocate around ending gun violence, designing community-led public safety models, healing and environment, I was ecstatic to sit and listen to the stories, experiences, and expertise of Khalilah M. Harris, EdD, JD during the Black Church PAC Fireside Chat, alongside Michael Blake and Pastor michael mcbride. Dr. Harris’s work is crucial, and we must support and amplify it. As the Executive Vice President of Program Strategy at the Center for Policing Equity, Dr. Harris and her team leverage data to address disparities in policing. Here are the facts: 1 in 5 Americans interacts with law enforcement each year, with Black individuals 2 to 4 times more likely to experience use of force than their White counterparts. They have so many reports and information to inform your work! The power of data science in their work can’t be understated. Let’s get behind this important work. Follow Center for Policing Equity and visit their site to learn more and support their mission.

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The Spring 2024 volume of the National Civic Review is out. Check out some interesting articles about hope and democracy, a novel idea of participatory assembly budgeting, municipal proportional representation, and more!!! If you'd like to contribute to the NCR, please feel free to reach out.

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One more push: if you're a public servant (in F/S/L gov't, an NGO, a first responder, an educator, etc) enrolled in or seeking loan forgiveness under #PSLF, answer this two minute survey to help inform the PSLF Coalition's focus!

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As a former state Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) director, I’ve experienced both the incredible potential and frustrations of the job. State OVPs are uniquely positioned to scale community-driven solutions to violence, but that potential often faces roadblocks—bureaucracy, political pressures, and the constant search for sustainable funding. At the recent (National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) ) conference, Calliana Thomas, Director of New York’s OVP and Steven Campos, Executive Director of New Jersey’s OVP, shared their vision for uniting public health and safety, empowering grassroots organizations, and building lasting systems. "The Role of State OVPs" panel gave me hope that future directors can learn from these lessons and navigate the system more effectively than I did. One thing I know for sure is, state OVPs must serve as a point of access for communities to all the resources states have to address the root causes of firearm-related harm through to recovery. Steven Campos, said it best: “We need to stop putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Our communities need lasting resources—everything from mental health services to economic opportunities—and OVPs have to be the gateway to those solutions.” Balancing state support and community autonomy is always a challenge. Steven further noted, “The more we amplify the voices of community leaders who’ve been doing this work for years, the more successful we’ll be. Our job is to provide structure without overshadowing them.” Bridging the gap between public health and public safety is another challenge. Calliana emphasized, “Violence doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We can’t focus solely on policing—we need to address the root causes. That means addressing trauma, poverty, housing, and education as public health issues.” But in practice, breaking down silos between agencies isn’t easy. As Calliana pointed out, “Getting public health and public safety agencies on the same page is hard, but it’s essential for long-term success.” Capacity building is another essential piece. Smaller CBOs are often doing the most impactful work but lack the resources to grow. Calliana highlighted: “These organizations have the relationships and trust in their communities. Our job is to get them the resources they need to scale. We need to streamline processes so they can focus on their work, not on navigating red tape.” Steven echoed this, saying, “The future of violence prevention is about sustainability. We can’t just put programs in place and walk away. It’s about creating infrastructure that lasts and can weather changes in political support.” My advice to future directors is simple: stay focused on community, break down silos, and build systems that last. The frustrations are real, but so is the potential for change if we center the people doing the work and give them the support they need. OVPs can’t fix everything, but they can create pathways for lasting solutions.

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WHERE DOES YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SIT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD FLOURISHING CONTINUUM? I rate a place based on the strength of its institutions and connectivity - internal (bonding) and external (bridging). The stronger the institutions and the better they can bring people together to solve problems and reach out to access opportunity and support as needed, the more likely a place will thrive. (A future post will define this in more detail.) If its flourishing, residents have the wind at their backs. If its fragile, they are constrained in countless ways every day. Locales run the gamut from flourishing to fragile. The most flourishing go from strong to stronger despite little intentional effort to improve them, while the most fragile remain fragile no matter how much effort is invested in them. Then there are so-called middle neighborhoods—places that could go either way, where strategic initiatives could make an outsized difference. According to one estimation, almost half of the country’s urban population lives in a middle neighborhood. How would you rate the neighborhood where you live? Placemaking Education PlacemakingX #community #socialcapital #neighborhoods Dawn Martz Dan Baisden Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams #health #poverty #place

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A powerful reminder that the words we use in research, industry, policies, and programs affect real people and places.

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Social Futures applauds the budget initiatives targeting sticky inflation and cost-of-living challenges, especially much-needed investment in crisis and transitional accommodation for people escaping DFV. However, it's crucial to go further. We need significant boosts in funding for social and public housing if we are to meet current need, and raising the rates of Jobseeker and Youth Allowance is critical to prevent poverty and future homelessness. Everyone deserves a fair chance.  #RaiseTheRate for Jobseeker and Youth Allowance. Here is my full response to the Federal Budget https://lnkd.in/d7UeAqKC #EverybodysHome #WeAreSocialFutures #BudgetForAll #Budget2024

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Disparities in employment between rural and urban communities are greatest for Black and African American and American Indian and Alaska Native men. To learn more about this and other important findings on racial and regional differences in rural-urban #employmentdisparities, check out my recently released #FEDSNote. https://lnkd.in/eDuGUZar #ruraldevelopment #ruralempoyment

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