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NNIP PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
CAMConnect CAMConnect is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of expanding and democratizing access to data and information for those who live and work in the City of Camden. The organization accomplishes this purpose in several ways: 1) Publication of neighborhood-level data via printed reports and its website. To this end, CAMConnect has produced neighborhood fact reports about all 21 Camden Census Tracts as well as a citywide "Camden Facts" report. 2) Research and preparation of original topical reports including health, employment, municipal finances, a Camden Kids Count, and voter participation. CAMConnect has recently begun to analyze patient-level hospital discharge data from local hospitals to assess patterns in emergency room utilization and identify opportunities for improvement in the healthcare system. 3) Maintaining a frequently-updated online library of public documents and other reports related to Camden, including municipal budgets and audits, redevelopment plans, and environmental reviews. Aside from producing original data reports, CAMConnect also partners with other organizations on GIS mapping, evaluation strategies, and survey design and administration. CAMConnect emerged from discussions between the Annie E. Casey Foundation and a broad group of local stakeholders concerning the consolidation of local data. In 1999, CAMConnect received a planning grant; a year later the Casey Foundation awarded a second grant to CAMConnect to hire an executive director and complete neighborhood-level reports. In 2002, Cooper Hospital's Department of Family Medicine became the fiscal sponsor, providing a substantial contribution of cash and in-kind services to support CAMConnect's work CAMConnect has over 50 members that support the organization and receive training and priority for technical assistance. Members include residents, small organizations, governmental agencies, and larger institutions. PARTNER BIOGRAPHIES: Derek Ziegler is the Executive Director at CAMConnect and has worked as CAMConnect's sole full-time staff member since August 2003. In his time at CAMConnect, he has worked with the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers to prepare reports on hospital utilization in Camden City. Derek also designed and coordinated a street intercept survey that measured satisfaction with local healthcare institutions. He has worked with a consultant to redesign CAMConnect's website, adding new information such as neighborhood maps and public documents and reports. Derek has contributed to an evaluation of Camden's Weed & Seed program and has analyzed a survey on Camden's recovery and redevelopment. As Executive Director of CAMConnect, he is involved with defining CAMConnect's workplan and budget, developing communications and outreach materials, and developing relationships with new data sources. Derek brings skills in survey design, data analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and report preparation to CAMConnect. Derek received a Master's degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, he worked as a management/financial analyst for Chance Management Advisors, Inc., a parking and transportation consulting firm located in Philadelphia. At Chance, Derek prepared numerous reports for university and municipal clients, including parking master plans, transportation strategies, and financial feasibility analyses. Derek received a Bachelor of Arts from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. |