Topeka is proud to share it has been recognized for achieving 2020 What Works Cities Certification at the silver level. What Works Cities (WWC) Certification evaluates how effectively cities are managed by measuring the extent to which city leaders incorporate data and evidence in their decision-making – whether they have the right people, processes, and policies in place to put data and evidence at the center of decision-making – against a national standard of excellence. WWC is a national initiative launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2015.
Topeka is one of 16 cities to achieve Certification at the silver level. Over the past year, the city has demonstrated measurable progress on foundational data practices, representing Topeka’s commitment to advancing how data is used to better serve residents.
“The City of Topeka is data driven when establishing our strategic goals and priorities,” said by Mayor De La Isla. “By identifying the key issues our community is facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and comparing them to our strategic goals and priorities, we can begin to formulate tailor-made community recovery decisions that provides actionable, long-lasting solutions.”
Through improved data-driven management, Topeka has:
● Improved transparency efforts.
● Improved reporting to the Governing Body.
● Improved tracking of responsiveness to constituents.
What Works Cities Certification is inspiring a movement of cities that are doubling down on their commitment to building a more effective, more efficient, and more equitable local government that works for its residents, and using Certification as a roadmap for doing so. Nearly 200 U.S. cities have completed a What Works Cities Assessment; to date, only 24 cities have met the What Works Cities national standard in achieving Certification.
About What Works Cities: What Work Cities, launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in April 2015, is a national initiative that helps cities use data and evidence more effectively to tackle their most pressing challenges and improve residents’ lives. It is one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to enhance cities’ use of data and evidence. Through the initiative’s expert partners, cities around the country are receiving technical assistance, guidance and resources to succeed in making more informed decisions, tackling local challenges, and delivering more effective services and programs for their residents. Cities in the What Works Cities network also gain access to a collaborative network of peers in cities across the country. For more information, visit whatworkscities.org.