Frequently Asked Questions

The Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System (RILDS, formerly known as the RI DataHUB), is housed at DataSpark. It is a persistent, holistic, integrated, longitudinal data system. The RILDS centralizes four decades of previously siloed Rhode Island state data using a custom-built machine learning algorithm. It currently links data from early childhood, through K-12 and postsecondary education, and into the workforce. It also integrates data related to health, human services, and civic engagement.   

The RILDS is maintained by DataSpark, a program unit at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Day-to-day operation of the RILDS, including data preparation, import, linkage, and quality reporting, is managed by the DataSpark team.

However, data in the RILDS belongs to the Data Contributing Agencies, not to DataSpark or the University of Rhode Island Therefore, the oversight of the RILDS and decisions around data use and access falls to a governance board made up of representatives of these partner agencies. 

A modern, robust statewide longitudinal data system, like the RILDS:

• Facilitates cross-agency problem solving
• Enhances state data quality and usability
• Increases data transparency and accessibility
• Drives accountability and investment decisions
• Supports research in institutions of higher education
• Enables policy and program evaluation

There are three main users of the RILDS: 

1. DataSpark staff, working on approved projects for state agency partners.
2. State agencies, receiving linked data for their internal analysis.
3. Academic researchers who have the approval of the data owners.

Under data sharing agreements that the University of Rhode Island and its program unit, DataSpark, have established with partner agencies and organizations, we integrate individual-level data on early childhood, K-12 and higher education, employment, workforce training, and health and human services into the system. These administrative records are collected on an ongoing basis by our partners and are updated by DataSpark at regular intervals.  

Data are currently integrated from partnering agencies and organizations across Rhode Island including: 

• Department of Education (RIDE)
• Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC)
• Department of Labor and Training (DLT)
• Governor's Workforce Board (GWB)
• Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
• Department of Health (RIDOH)
• Secretary of State (SOS)
• Housing Resources Commission (HRC)
• Onward We Learn (f.k.a. College Crusade)
• City of Providence
• City of Central Falls

We are regularly integrating and linking new sources, so please review our Data Holdings for the latest information.

DataSpark funding comes from federal, state, local, and foundation grants and contracts.  

Current funding comes from participating state agencies, community partners and researchers. Recent funders of DataSpark include: Rhode Island Department of Education, Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and the Rhode Island Foundation.

Yes. DataSpark, which manages the RILDS, operates on a fee for service model. DataSpark is a Service Center per the University of Rhode Island Office of the Controller Policy 01.105.1. 

Requests for aggregate or individual-level data are subject to DataSpark's standard hourly rate (cost-recovery fees) due to the time and effort required to obtain appropriate legal review, data use and release approvals; fulfill the request; and provide technical assistance to the requestor after the transfer of data.

Under the right conditions, DataSpark can match researcher-collected data with RILDS administrative data to measure program outcomes or examine other research questions. The data must be collected with an identifier that is common to our system, participants must have consented to this use of the data or the data must have been collected under a FERPA exception, and the data must be returned to the researcher completely de-identified. 

Data preparation is usually a straightforward process, but obtaining approvals and importing new or updated datasets where required can be time-consuming and unpredictable. Once Data Use Agreements have been executed, contracts established and data imports completed, DataSpark can begin preparing your data. These agreements may take months to execute, depending on the complexity of the request. DataSpark strives to fill requests in the order in which they were received and in time for requestors’ grant proposal or publication deadlines. 

 You can find past projects on the DataSpark blog as well as in the archives. If you can't find something that you are looking for, please contact us and provide a description or broken bookmark link to the product you are seeking. We will respond within two weeks.