Life Experiences
Designated for collective government-wide improvement efforts
Life experiences are significant events or transitions that often require interactions and touchpoints with multiple Federal agencies and even levels of government. Too often, people have to navigate a tangled web of government websites, offices, and phone numbers to access the services they depend on. Government needs to better meet people where they are and be responsive to how they navigate these moments.
The Life Experience organizing framework requires a new model of the Federal delivery system working together—within agencies, across agencies, even across levels of government — driven by customer (“human-centered design”) research, rather than within bureaucratic silos and pre-conceived solutions, to solve problems.
Past work
2022 Cycle
Having a Child and Early Childhood
There were 3,605,201 births in the United States in 2020. 42 percent of these were covered by Medicaid. With almost a quarter of all workers having a child under five, this life experience impacts millions of Americans.
2022 Cycle
Facing a Financial Shock
Because of complex and burdensome application and payment systems, millions of American families miss out on help getting food, health insurance, and other supports to build better lives for themselves and their children when facing a financial shock like an unexpected medical bill, the loss of income, raise in rent or loans coming out of deferment.
2022 Cycle
Recovering from a Disaster
Those who have lived through a natural disaster are facing one of the most difficult experiences they’ve ever encountered: attending to their families’ most basic needs while experiencing trauma, stress, and multiple bureaucratic processes. In these most vulnerable moments, survivors expect the government to step up.
2022 Cycle
Navigating Transition to Civilian Life
Separating service members face reorienting their civilian lives around key domains, including: education, employment, health, finance, housing and social relationships, but quantitative and qualitative data suggests that around half of all recently separated Veterans may not connect with available resources, benefits, services and tools for several years.
2022 Cycle
Approaching Retirement
Over 4 million Americans will turn 65 each year through 2027. Irrespective of income, education level, and race, older adults and caretakers navigating retirement decisions face consuming, confusing, and complex benefits enrollment processes.
2020 Cycle
Recovering from a Disaster
Those who have lived through a natural disaster are facing one of the most difficult experiences they’ve ever encountered: attending to their families’ most basic needs while experiencing trauma, stress, and multiple bureaucratic processes. In these most vulnerable moments, survivors expect the government to step up.
2020 Cycle
Transitioning to Adulthood
People with an intellectual disability and their families interact with agencies and organizations at the Federal, state, and local level year after year. It can be incredibly difficult to understand the full scope of what programs are available, who to go to for what, and to weave together the right supports; all at different life stages.
2018 Cycle
Seeking Employment after Service
Each year, approximately 200,000 service members leave the military. Employment statistics have continued to improve, but there is more to understand to improve the rates of those that find a career that is satisfying, has potential for development and higher wages, and recognizes valuable skills veterans have.
2023 Discovery Project
Improving Tribal Grant Reporting Through Human-Centered Designs
A cross-agency, cross-sector partnership effort aimed to reduce burdens on Tribal Nations in fulfilling federal grant reporting requirements.
2022 Discovery Project
Understanding Tribal Nations Experiences Accessing Federal Grants
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tribal Nations organized to rebuild communities, jobs, and infrastructure. 2021 brought about the largest Federal investment in Native communities in the history of the country. While the investments were historic, the sudden influx of funds also presented access challenges.
