RDA's Organization

RDA’s Research and Evaluation Centers (RECs) assist in development of appropriate methodological approaches to answering policy questions using integrated administrative data, leveraging the richness of DSHS' Integrated Client Databases (ICDB). RECs consult on development of risk modeling, research and program evaluation projects, grant writing, and other efforts involving client data.

Reports

RDA research reports provide analytical information about DSHS clients and services regarding need, demand, use, supply, risk, cost, and outcomes. The three RECs collectively cover many programs and policy areas. The list below shows key topics and areas in each REC, and there is also significant cross-over of expertise and collaboration across the three RECs:

RDA’s Geospatial Insights and Solutions (GIS) team delivers enterprise-level services to meet the mapping, address correction, geocoding, spatial data, and location analytics needs of our agency and partners. Our offerings include web GIS platforms, desktop GIS software, Washington Managed Address Services (WAMAS), the DSHS Geospatial Data Library, and tailored location-based solutions. These tools support research, inform policy decisions, and enhance the delivery of program services to the people we serve.

RDA’s Integrated Technology and Data Solutions Office (ITDS) bring together information technology, data management, and analytics to enhance program evaluation, research capacity, strategic decision-making, and operational efficiency. This section is responsible for developing and maintaining a robust digital infrastructure, integrating diverse data sources, ensuring data quality and security, creating highly curated data models to strengthen the organization’s analytical capabilities. By aligning technology initiatives with organizational priorities, ITDS strengthens its strategic direction and enhances operational agility to foster continuous innovation across RDA. ITDS is composed of several teams:

• The Integrated Database Server Administration Unit builds and maintains the core analytical database server environment and builds and maintains other database environments to support application development, third party software and ETL processes. Additionally, IDSA helps other T-SQL developers and researchers work well with the shared SQL Server environment specifically regarding process architecture, performance tuning, adherence to standards and general T-SQL questions.
• The Business Intelligence Unit transforms raw data into actionable insights to support strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, and improved program outcomes. BIU delivers accessible, accurate, and timely analytics to empower stakeholders across the organization.
• The Application Development Unit manages internal custom application solutions and performs maintenance and enhancement of critical systems. The unit builds custom solutions to technical problems and enhances existing interfaces for users to manage data. The team also supports users in analyzing their methods to find technical solutions to improve their business process.
• The Client Services Database Unit (CSDU) specializes in source data acquisition, fulfilling data requests, and maintaining the Client Services Database (CSDB) to ensure data integrity and accessibility. The unit’s services are critical to RDA’s ability to conduct cross-program evaluations and carry out comprehensive research on the services provided to clients.

RDA’s Management Information and Survey Research section (MISR) conducts surveys of customers, employees, and other stakeholders to support DSHS strategic planning, quality improvement, and major research initiatives. Major projects are funded through contracts and grants. MISR also provides ad hoc consulting and survey hosting for smaller projects.

The section also manages the One Department Data Repository (1DDR), which is a centralized, automated, and highly structured repository system for DSHS aggregate performance measures including reports on budget, caseload, and utilization data. The system is also used to track and report on performance measures for goals set in DSHS strategic plans.

Current survey projects include:

• HCLA Consumer Directed Employer Rate Setting Board Survey
• DSHS Employee Engagement Survey
• DSHS Client Survey
• National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) survey and Caregiver survey (on behalf of the Department of Children, Youth and Families) of youth aging out of foster and kinship care
• Department of Children, Youth and Families Caregiver Survey

The Human Research and Review Section (HRRS) provides the regulatory required administrative, professional, and technical support for the Washington State Institutional Review Board  (WSIRB), including serving as members of the WSIRB.