Vision and Mission
OOA's mission is to help DHHS
staff and stakeholders help people by providing reliable analytics and data to
make a difference.
Achieving this mission involves
the following activities:
•
Centralized data access: Serving as a consistent point of contact for
DHHS Divisions and programs, the Governor's Office, the Legislature, the media,
and other stakeholders for data requests or inquiries about DHHS reports.
•
Core deliverables: Producing recurring reports and dashboards that are
either internal or externally-facing to ensure timely and relevant information
dissemination.
•
Special projects and research: Conducting research and completing
special projects on behalf of DHHS leadership to address specific needs and
priorities.
•
DHHS caseload projections: Monitoring and projecting internal caseloads
related to DHHS budgets, such as Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF enrollment, to
support effective budget management.
•
Ad-hoc data requests: Fulfilling ad-hoc data requests for internal DHHS
agencies and stakeholders, ensuring they have data needed for decision-making.
•
External data requests: Reviewing and fulfilling ad-hoc data requests
from external agencies, researchers, community partners, and others, subject to
resource availability.
•
Quality improvement: Continuously enhancing the consistency and quality
of analytic products produced and disseminated by DHHS to ensure they meet high
standards of accuracy and reliability.
History and organizational structure
Prior to the establishment of the
OOA, analytical positions were disbursed across various divisions and programs
within DHHS. In 2018, efforts began to centralize these analytical resources.
Analytical staff from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) and
the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) were co-located in a shared
office space and began working together under the direction of the Chief
Biostatistician. The team adopted a
centralized DHHS data request tracking tool, and other analytic efficiencies,
collaboration, and improvements began.
Following the 2019 Legislative
Session, DHHS was approved to establish a formal pilot program for a
centralized analytics unit (OOA).
Analytic positions from the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy
(DHCFP), the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), and the Aging
and Disability Services Division (ADSD) joined OOA. Staff remained in their
originating agency budget accounts but were co-located with OOA staff in the
shared office space and continued to receive technical guidance from the Chief
Biostatistician.
In 2020, staff from the OOA were
instrumental in collecting and providing internal and public-facing data for
Nevada's COVID-19 pandemic response and associated public health-related
initiatives. Analytic collaboration and
growth continued, despite pandemic challenges. Various dashboarding
initiatives, driven by the success and use of the public-facing COVID-19
dashboard, were implemented.
Following the 2021 Legislative
Session, the OOA was formalized into an official program in the DHHS Director's
Office with its own budget account and funding. Staff positions from the pilot
program were formally transferred to the OOA. Since then, OOA leadership and
staff continue to build internal analytic capacity, improve efficiencies,
streamline processes, and expand the quality and scope of data deliverables for
DHHS.