Capacity

Casework Navigator is a training and professional development series to help Congressional caseworkers build skills and connections through webinars, publications, a newsletter, original research, and other resources. The project is led by POPVOX Foundation Deputy Director Anne Meeker.

Notable: Casework Navigator launched in February 2023 through a series of successful webinars that received overwhelmingly positive reviews from attendees. The program builds on the recommendations provided by Anne Meeker, in her June 2022 testimony to the House Select Committee on Modernization of Congress.

When the House and Senate announced the return of Congressionally-directed spending (AKA “earmarks”) for FY23, POPVOX Foundation partnered with Bipartisan Policy Center to provide resources for Congressional staff and constituents to help them deploy and navigate the new program. This included guides for Congressional staff, journalists, and applicants; webinars; op-eds; and consultations.

Notable: POPVOX Foundation hosted the first post-Covid in-person briefing on Capitol Hill in March 2022, in collaboration with the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

POPVOX Foundation recognizes the unique role that internships play in building the pipeline of future staffers and policymakers and introducing talented young people to government service. POPVOX Foundation works to raise awareness about internship opportunities —especially among those who are underrepresented in the halls of Congress — and to provide networking opportunities, training, and resources for both interns and the offices that host them.

Notable: In February 2024, POPVOX Foundation hosted the ninth Internapalooza, a free, nonpartisan orientation and welcome event for all current Congressional interns. The event was attended by hundreds of Congressional interns and featured current and former Congressional staff, former Congressional interns, and subject-matter experts on Congress.

Increasing Congress’ data capacity means recruiting talented young data professionals and introducing them to careers in legislative data for policymaking. POPVOX Foundation is working with the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy to train and place students from the Master of Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MS-CAPP) program in Congressional institutional offices.

Notable: When the application launched in February 2023, over half of eligible students applied and four were selected. The fellows received hands-on training in data and analytical skills before being placed in-person with Congressional offices working to modernize operations.

The Inter-Branch Exchange provides a platform where frontline policy implementers and policymakers can collaboratively develop mutual understanding and solutions to improve government service.

Notable: The program is a partnership between POPVOX Foundation and Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Massive Data Institute, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The Cyber Policy Leadership Institute (CPLI) is dedicated to bridging the representation gap in cybersecurity policy by empowering students from historically marginalized groups, with a mission that aims to cultivate the next generation of diverse cyber policy leaders.

Notable: On January 23, 2024, the Cyber Policy Leadership Institute (CPLI) held its first session at Crowdstrike headquarters, where its inaugural class of eight students received an introduction on cybersecurity policy from public policy experts

CapitolStrong is a coalition of civil society organizations working to strengthen and invest in the institution of Congress and the people who serve there, which came together in the wake of the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

Notable: While it is a “club that no one wants to join,” CapitolStrong members provided support and advice to public servants in the Brazilian Congress following the attack on their capital in January 2023.