Text: 
The mission of the IGPA Center for Technology and Public Policy (CTPP) is to enable experts to address public policy issues using innovative data-driven tools and technologies. Our expertise in developing secure information systems and in research-oriented analytical and modeling approaches facilitates new types of information sharing and analysis by researchers in academia, government and the public sector.
Our current projects include:
- Creating a web-accessible and highly secure information system for collecting, storing and using information to support operations, research, and administration activities of the Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND). Under the direction of the Social Security Administration's primary contractor Abt Associates, CTPP is designing, developing and implementing information systems which will support all activities of the demonstration.
- Developing tools that will help employers evaluate how job profiles affect the accessibility of those jobs to persons with disabilities for the Demand-Side Employment Placement Models project. This project involves collaborations with the U.S. Department of Education and Syracuse University and is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
- Developing strategies that will help eliminate the Digital Divide in Illinois on a project funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
New at CTPP
Learning Through Games
April 23, 2009
The Illinois Terrorism Task Force, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois State Police are collaborating with CTPP on a year-long effort to demonstrate how scenario-based games can be used to prepare children to respond to natural or man-made threats. CTPP is partnering with the UIUC Computer Science Department and the UIC Electronic Visualization Laboratory to design and develop a web-accessible game that teaches appropriate responses to a disaster or emergency scenario using an open, reusable and scalable architecture. The technical framework will be designed to eventually house a complete set of threat scenario games.
Office of Public Leadership Collaboration
April 15, 2009
In April, a new website will be launched for IGPA's Office of Public Leadership (OPL) developed and hosted by CTPP. The initial roll-out will focus on delivering information about OPL, topical news items and OPL course and event offerings. The implementation includes content management so that OPL personnel are able to maintain the information easily. The website has been designed to support future growth and plans of OPL.
IDCnet Portal is available to CTCs
April 08, 2009
The Center for Technology and Public Policy announces the release of the IDCnet Portal developed as part of the DCEO Digital Divide project. The Portal has Public View and CTC View features. Public View features include a publicly accessible, searchable database for DCEO 2008 awardees; including contact information, a navigable map, general CTC description and general program description (CTC Profile). CTC View features include ability to edit profile information accessible to the public using a member login, and access to information resources which is currently maintained as a listing on the portal. Visit the Illinois Digital Community Network.
Illinois CTC Workshop
December 4, 2008
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity invited Community Technology Centers (CTCs) across Illinois to participate in the CTC Workshop at University of Illinois, Chicago. The event drew participation from over a 150 community technology organizations and featured presentations and panel discussions led by practitioners and experts on topics including the Digital Divide program, CTC partnerships and issues etc. Download the workshop materials below.
Workshop Agenda
DCEO Digital Divide Program FY09 Application
DCEO Digital Divide Presentation
Illinois Digital Community Presentation
Illinois workNet Presentation
Innovation and Technology Presentation
Innovation and Technology Tools Resource Guide
