About the Office of Analytics (OOA)

Helping NVHA and DHS staff and stakeholders help people by providing reliable analytics and data to make a difference.

Achieving this mission involves the following activities:

•  Special projects and research: Conducting research and completing special projects on behalf of DHHS leadership to address specific needs and priorities.

•  Core deliverables: Producing recurring reports and dashboards that are either internal or externally-facing to ensure timely and relevant information dissemination.

•  Caseload projections for NVHA & DHS: Monitoring and projecting internal caseloads related to budgets and programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF enrollment, to support effective budget management.

•  Quality improvement: Continuously enhancing the consistency and quality of analytic products produced and disseminated by NVHA & DHS to ensure they meet high standards of accuracy and reliability.

•  Ad-hoc data requests: Fulfilling ad-hoc data requests for internal NVHA & DHS agencies and stakeholders, ensuring they have data needed for decision-making.

•  External data requests: Reviewing and fulfilling ad-hoc data requests from other Nevada agencies, university researchers, or community partners, subject to resource availability.

History and organizational structure

Prior to the establishment of the OOA, analytical positions were disbursed across various divisions and programs within DHHS. In 2018, efforts began to centralize these analytical resources. Analytical staff from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) and the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) were co-located in a shared office space and began working together under the direction of the Chief Biostatistician.  The team adopted a centralized DHHS data request tracking tool, and other analytic efficiencies, collaboration, and improvements began.

Following the 2019 Legislative Session, DHHS was approved to establish a formal pilot program for a centralized analytics unit (OOA).  Analytic positions from the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP), the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), and the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) joined OOA. Staff remained in their originating agency budget accounts but were co-located with OOA staff in the shared office space and continued to receive technical guidance from the Chief Biostatistician.

In 2020, staff from the OOA were instrumental in collecting and providing internal and public-facing data for Nevada's COVID-19 pandemic response and associated public health-related initiatives.  Analytic collaboration and growth continued, despite pandemic challenges. Various dashboarding initiatives, driven by the success and use of the public-facing COVID-19 dashboard, were implemented.

Following the 2021 Legislative Session, the OOA was formalized into an official program in the DHHS Director's Office with its own budget account and funding. Staff positions from the pilot program were formally transferred to the OOA. Since then, OOA leadership and staff continue to build internal analytic capacity, improve efficiencies, streamline processes, and expand the quality and scope of data deliverables for DHHS.

With the passage of SB 494 of the 2025 Legislative Session, the OOA was moved under the Nevada Health Authority as part of the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services into the now two departments: Nevada Health Authority and Department of Human Services. The OOA's continued growth and leadership in data transparency and dashboarding has expanded its scope, improved efficiency, and strengthened decision-making. The OOA remains committed to supporting both agencies through its funded positions and ongoing work. Since we continue to have positions specifically funded to support NVHA & DHS programs and statistical needs, we will maintain our support for both agencies accordingly.