Center for Social Sector

Analytics & Technology

Providing the Social Service Sector with Tools, Information, & Knowledge to Promote Human Wellbeing

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The Center for Social Sector Analytics & Technology

Founded in 2019 as a result of a landmark intersection between the University of Washington’s School of Social Work and Washington State’s Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), the Center for Social Sector Analytics & Technology (CSSAT) was created with the goal of helping to address some of the most pressing information and systems challenges facing the social service sector in Washington state and beyond.

Can technology tools help streamline bureaucratic and documentation burdens on social service providers, allowing for more interaction and support for children and families?

Can data measure near real time human behavior change? Can contract performance monitoring be designed so that it is fair to both providers and service recipients?

Our Projects

Sprout Service Management Platform

Web-based application designed to streamline reporting requirements for social service providers.

Data Portal

A web tool that provides detailed, customizable data about children and families served in Washington state's child welfare system.

Analytical Case Management

A case management curriculum to help social workers in the field utilize principles of measurement, analysis, and logical reasoning.

Dependent Child Legal Representation Evaluation

An evaluation of a Washington state pilot program to understand if and how children in dependency proceedings benefit from legal representation.

Analytics & Technology for Social Service Professionals

CSSAT takes a holistic and data-driven approach to analyzing complex, high-impact systems in the social service sector.

Our work integrates systems thinking, state-of-the art quantitative analysis, and an understanding of human and institutional behavior into its methodologies, aiming to address large-scale challenges which pervade current social services delivery systems.

Data

Data Collection in the Context of a Diverse, Non-Technical User Base as well as Data Visualization and Communication for Broad Audiences

Service/Policy

Service Delivery System Design and Architecture, Social Service Sustainability, & Policy and Outcome-Oriented Metrology

Our Team

Jooree Ahn

Data Scientist

Jooree’s data science, technical, and social service expertise helps ensure that CSSAT activities have a sound evidence base. Jooree is a graduate of the UW School of Social Work and has also earned an MPH at UW’s School of Public Health in social and behavioral sciences.

Marie Bolstad

Director of Finance & Operations

Marie’s vast knowledge and skills in operational processes and Title IV-E helped get CSSAT off the ground and now keeps it running smoothly. Marie holds a BA in German language from Gonzaga University and an MPA from the UW’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance.

Chris Hughes

Software Engineer

Chris has almost a decade of experience in the public sector in various roles, including software and data engineering and program management. Chris holds a BA in International Studies from UW, an MBA from Saint Martin’s University, and is pursuing a BS in Computer Science from Oregon State University.

Rose Kroeker

Data Scientist

Rose has over 10 years of experience in data analysis and presentation in both academic and non-profit settings. She holds a PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Washington and has a background in clinical work primarily focused on adults with developmental disabilities.

Keith Ligon

Software Engineer

Keith has over 20 years experience as a software engineer in various fields. He has worked on projects in defense, retail, supplychain and HR systems. Keith holds a BS in Computer Science from Virginia Tech with a math minor.

Supriya Sharma

Web Computing Specialist

Supriya has worked on various projects and brings knowledge from multiple backgrounds into the social sector. She holds a BS in Biology and a Minor in Informatics from the University of Washington.

John Subaykan

Lead Engineer

John brings over 20 years of software development in various industries as well as engineering team leadership and technical program management experience. He holds a BS in civil engineering from the University of Washington.

Gregor Thomas

Principal Data Scientist

Gregor has over a decade of experience making data useful and understandable in both the public and private sectors. Gregor holds a MS in Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management from UW and a BS in Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College.

Lucy Yang

Software Engineer

Lucy has worked as a software engineer in various fields including biotech, data visualization, and is excited to learn and contribute more to the social work space. She holds a BS from University of California San Diego in biology and a computer science minor.

Sarah Yatsko

Director

Sarah brings a decade of direct service experience in juvenile court and child welfare systems and another conducting research in criminal justice and public education. She holds a BA from Loyola University in English Literature and an MPA from UW’s Evans School of Public Policy.

Get In Touch

Contact Details

Feel free to contact us for support or more information.

UW Tower, Seattle

Email: cssat@uw.edu