Joined the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ “Community at the Core: A DCA Podcast” for their second episode, “Data for Action,” to discuss how data-driven insights are transforming decision-making across state government.
Episode Overview
Hosted by DCA Chief of Staff Kia King, this episode brought together three of DCA’s leading voices in the data space to explore how modern data practices are improving government operations and service delivery to New Jersey residents.
Featured Guests
Dr. Christopher Wheeler - Chief Data Officer, NJ DCA
- Strategic vision for data governance and analytics
- Building data-driven culture across the department
- Leveraging data for policy impact
John Harrison - Director of Information Technology, NJ DCA
- Technology infrastructure supporting data operations
- Modernizing legacy systems
- Security and compliance in data management
Gavin Rozzi - Director of Data Center Administration, NJ DCA
- Building platforms for data collection and analysis
- React and TypeScript applications for government
- Real-time data sharing across 564 municipalities
Key Discussion Topics
The Role of Data in Government Decision-Making
The conversation explored how data-driven insights enable better, faster decisions that directly impact residents:
- Moving from intuition-based to evidence-based policy
- Identifying service gaps and targeting resources effectively
- Measuring program outcomes and impact
- Responding rapidly to emerging challenges
New Tools and Technologies
The team shared exciting new platforms and tools being deployed across DCA:
- Modern web applications built with React and TypeScript
- Cloud-based data infrastructure for scalability
- Real-time dashboards for leadership visibility
- APIs enabling data sharing with partner agencies
Collecting Data More Effectively
Discussion of strategies for improving data collection:
- Reducing reporting burden on municipalities
- Standardizing data formats across programs
- Automated data validation and quality checks
- Mobile-friendly data entry for field operations
Analyzing and Sharing Data
How DCA is making data more accessible and actionable:
- Self-service analytics tools for program managers
- Interactive visualizations for stakeholders
- Open data initiatives for transparency
- Collaboration platforms for cross-agency work
Key Themes
Collaboration Across Teams
The importance of breaking down silos between IT, data, and program teams to deliver better solutions that meet actual user needs.
User-Centered Design
Building tools that work for the people using them—from municipal clerks to policy analysts—with intuitive interfaces and clear workflows.
Security and Privacy
Balancing openness and transparency with the critical need to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.
Continuous Improvement
Creating feedback loops and metrics to constantly refine approaches and demonstrate value to stakeholders and taxpayers.
Impact
The episode highlighted how DCA is becoming a leader in government data modernization, with practical examples of how better data practices are improving services for New Jersey residents and making government operations more efficient and effective.
Listen to the Episode
About Community at the Core: A DCA Podcast
“Community at the Core: A DCA Podcast” is the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ podcast exploring how the department supports strong, vibrant communities across the state through innovative programs, partnerships, and public service.