The lab's mission is to help state agencies design evidence-based policies that improve the quality of life for Rhode Islanders.
[1] RIIPL examines current Rhode Island policies and works with government partners to design and rigorously evaluate new programs that deliver better social outcomes at a lower cost.
[2][3] The Rhode Island Innovative Policy Lab was founded at Brown University in 2015, with a near $3 million grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation.
[4] Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo praised the lab's formation: “This effort,” the Governor wrote in a statement, “will help inform our future policy decisions as we look for ways to move our state forward.”[4] RIIPL uses comprehensive data from government and industry to analyze the impacts of social policy across the individual, familial, and societal levels.
[8] RIIPL is focused around five key initiatives, all aimed at tackling some of the largest problems facing governments and societies: Policy Brief — “How Are SNAP Benefits Spent?