Better Data and Policies

Background

In 2023, the Louisiana Legislature created the Louisiana Foundational Integrated Research System for Transformation (LA FIRST). This longitudinal data system supports independent public policy research for Louisiana. LA FIRST is an initiative of the Louisiana Board of Regents, administered by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center (Blanco Center) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Problem

LA FIRST brings together data from multiple agencies, offering Louisiana the opportunity to lead the nation in research that helps identify opportunities and challenges people face throughout their lives. But this potential depends on keeping the data secure. By law, all LA FIRST data storage and usage must follow the Office of Technology Services (OTS) Information Security Policy. That means the Blanco Center must use only OTS-issued equipment and OTS-hosted servers, completely separate from other Center work. Meeting these strict requirements called for close collaboration with OTS to design and implement the technical solutions.

Solution

OTS set up a secure, OTS-hosted LA FIRST file share with dedicated directories for confidential and restricted data. MoveIt jobs automatically transfer files from agencies to the correct folder in the file share. OTS also created an LA FIRST SharePoint site with individual agency sub-sites, giving partners a secure space to communicate during the nondisclosure review period.

To improve data governance, OTS provided a dedicated SQL server. In February 2024, the State’s Chief Information Officer connected the Blanco Center’s LA FIRST team to OTS services, launching the technical setup for data storage and access in the LA FIRST Data Center. OTS project managers then helped the team establish solutions for nondisclosure review and data warehousing, and ensured both the Information Division and Research Division had the computing capacity they needed.

Outcome

With Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) signed by all LA FIRST data partners, the system began operating at full capacity. Within the first reporting cycle, the Blanco Center successfully issued reports to the Legislature using securely integrated, multi-agency data. Early feedback from policymakers showed increased confidence in the system’s ability to deliver accurate, timely insights. The streamlined data governance process reduced the average time to complete nondisclosure reviews by 30%, helping researchers move from data request to analysis faster. These early wins position LA FIRST to expand its research reach—providing more actionable information to shape policy and improve outcomes for Louisiana residents.