Issaquah Earns Silver What Works Cities/Bloomberg Certification

Issaquah, WA – Results for America has announced that nine new cities, including Issaquah, have been awarded the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification (WWC) for establishing exceptional data capabilities to inform policy, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate programs, and engage residents.

Issaquah has been awarded a Silver Certification; the third city in Washington state and the first city under 70,000 in the world to obtain this award.

“Earning the What Works Cities Silver Certification is a testament to our dedication to making values-driven and data-informed decisions that benefit all residents of Issaquah,” said Mayor Mary Lou Pauly.

The What Works Cities Certification Standard measures a city’s use of data based on 43 criteria. Issaquah’s successful initiatives that contributed to this recognition include:

• Enhanced Public Safety Measures: Implementing data-driven strategies to reduce crime rates and improve emergency response times.
• Improved Human Services Interventions: Utilizing data to develop and execute behavioral health and homeless outreach programs that promote long-term stability and community participation.
• Data-Rich Communication: Sharing data through social media and other public communication to quantify the impact of City programs and projects, as well as to increase transparency and foster more effective engagement with the Issaquah community
• Effective Grant-Making and Contracting: Using evidence-based practices to optimize the allocation of city funds through annual Arts and Human Services Grants, as well as improving alignment between city priorities and contracted vendors.

“From pioneering data use to embracing emerging technology to expanding digital infrastructure, this new slate of Certified cities demonstrates what is possible when municipalities raise the bar,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“We are thrilled to receive this certification. It underscores our commitment to using data as a powerful tool to enhance city services and ensure a high quality of life for our community,” said City Administrator Wally Bobkiewicz. “The award recognizes and affirms our commitment to delivering effective services to our community and improving outcomes for all residents across Issaquah.”

Issaquah is now part of a select group of cities nationwide that have achieved What Works Cities Certification, demonstrating its leadership in the movement towards data-driven governance. The city remains committed to continuously improving its practices and leveraging data to drive meaningful outcomes for its residents.