BenCon 2023
Join us for the Digital Benefits Conference — or BenCon for short —the first annual convening of the Digital Benefits Network at the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University.
June 13-14, 2023
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
By invitation
We are inviting individuals representing viewpoints and experiences across levels of government, non-profits, academia, and industry who work on policy, delivery, and advocacy for public benefits and relevant technologies.
Gain new expertise
Make new connections
Discuss challenges and opportunities with peers
Create space for ongoing problem solving
Program
This year we’ll explore core topics as we navigate equitable and ethical technology in public benefits.
Core topics include digital identity, rules as code, automation, centering beneficiaries and workers, and digital service delivery.
June 12
Travel
For those traveling to Washington, D.C., use this day to arrive and settle in.
June 13
Day 1: Deep Dives
The first day of BenCon brings cross-sector practitioners together to explore current and emerging research, define goal posts for digital benefits delivery, and collaboratively build tools for the ecosystem.
Breakfast | 8:30 - 9:30 am
➤ Fisher Colloquium
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Morning session 1 | 9:30 - 10:45 am
Digital Benefits Network Welcome and Opening
➤ Fisher Colloquium
Digital Benefits Network Team
- Ariel Kennan, Fellow, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
- Elizabeth Bynum Sorrell, Researcher, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
- Shanelle Roberson, Community Manager, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
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Break | 10:45 - 11:00 am
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Morning session 2 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Research Currents: Rule as Code and Digital Identity
➤ Fisher Colloquium
Explore the latest research from the Digital Benefits Network on rules as code and digital authentication and identity proofing in public benefits and join the conversation to guide the next steps and future explorations.
Digital Benefits Network Team
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networking lunch | 12:30 - 1:30 pm
➤ Fisher Colloquium
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Afternoon session 1 | 1:30 - 2:30pm
What Does Good Look Like in Digital Benefits Delivery?
➤ Fisher Colloquium
Let's take a few minutes to celebrate work that's setting the bar for what digital benefits delivery can look like, and then set the definition for what good looks like across service delivery scenarios.
Digital Benefits Network Team
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Break | 2:30 - 3:00pm
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Afternoon session 2 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Shared Tools for the Ecosystem
➤ Fisher Colloquium
Explore the latest on the Digital Benefits Hub, inform the roadmap, pledge submissions, and dream up new tools for the ecosystem based on emerging needs.
Digital Benefits Network Team
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all day | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Community of Practice Meeting: Unemployment Insurance Technology Coordinating Coalition
COALITION MEMBERS ONLY
➤ lecture room 145
- Marcus Courtney, Co-Convenor, UI Tech Coordinating Coalition, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
- Adam Bobrow, Co-Convenor, UI Tech Coordinating Coalition, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
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happy hour | 4:45 - 6:00 pm
➤ copley formal lounge
June 14
Day 2: Horizons
The second day of BenCon scans the horizon for topics that we must learn about and build for as digital benefits practitioners in order to create equitable and ethical service delivery.
Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 am
➤ Fisher Colloquium
___________________________________________
Morning session 1 | 9:00 - 10:30 am
➤ lohrfink auditorium | livestream available
Welcome
- Lynn Overmann, Executive Director, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
- Ariel Kennan, Fellow, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
- Shanelle Roberson, Community Manager, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
The Equitable Tech Horizon in Digital Benefits
Hear perspectives on topics including centering beneficiaries and workers in new ways, digital service delivery, digital identity, and automation.
- Jordan Burris, Vice President & Head of Public Sector Strategy, Socure
- Rachael Carson, Design Lead, Civilla
- Amy Ashida, Director, TTS Public Benefits Studio, General Services Administration
- Elizabeth Laird, Director, Equity in Civic Technology, Center for Democracy & Technology
- Moderator: Ariel Kennan, Fellow, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
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Break | 10:30 - 10:45 am
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Morning session 2 | 10:45 am- 12:30 pm
➤ lohrfink auditorium | livestream available
Lightning Talks
Lightning talks on innovative ideas, approaches, and pilots to understand and improve benefits delivery.
- Jeramia Garcia Ramadan, Director of Governance and Innovation, Arizona Department of Economic Security
- Sarah Esty, Senior Advisor for Technology and Delivery, United States Department of Health and Human Services
- Pamela Herd, Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University
- Moderator: Elizabeth Bynum Sorrell, Researcher, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
Recoding America
- Jennifer Pahlka, Deputy CTO in President Obama’s Administration and author, will share her new book, Recoding America on how government must be equipped for digital delivery in order to meet ambitious policy goals.
Morning Session Closeout
- Shanelle Roberson, Community Manager, Digital Benefits Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
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networking lunch | 12:30 - 1:15 pm
➤ Fisher Colloquium
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Afternoon session 1 | 1:30 - 2:30pm
Learn Something Series
Digital Identity
➤ Fisher Colloquium
Deepen your understanding of core digital identity technologies and standards
- Connie LaSalle, Senior Technology Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Ryan Galluzzo, Identity Program Lead, Applied Cybersecurity Division, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Hannah Quay-de la Vallee, Senior Technologist, Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)
Automation
➤ case room 140
Gain greater insight into the range of automation technologies that may impact benefits delivery
- Grant Fergusson, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
- Nikki Zeichner, Technology and Product Advisor, Office of Unemployment Insurance Modernization, U.S. Department of Labor
- Syed Mohiuddin, Counselor to the Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Reaching Beneficiaries
➤ lecture room 145
Learn how to effectively reach beneficiaries using techniques and nimble technologies like data sharing and text messaging
- Elisa Zygmunt, Deputy Chief of Innovation and Product, Benefits Data Trust (BDT)
- Amy Ashida, Director, Public Benefits Studio, General Services Administration (GSA)
- Emily Herrick, Research and Engagement Lead, Public Benefits Studio, General Services Administration (GSA)
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Break | 2:30 - 3:00pm
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Afternoon session 2 | 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Build Something Series
Digital Identity
➤ Fisher Colloquium
Collaborate with cross-sector peers to outline digital identity best practices in benefits programs
- Connie LaSalle, Senior Technology Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Ryan Galluzzo, Identity Program Lead, Applied Cybersecurity Division, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Hannah Quay-de la Vallee, Senior Technologist, Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)
Automation
➤ case room 140
Map core questions and principles for ethical, equitable uses of new technology in benefits delivery, including AI, machine learning, algorithmic tools, and automated decision-making systems
- Tom McBrien, Fellow, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
Procurement
➤ Lecture room 145
Frame what’s needed to transform procurement to develop systems that work for beneficiaries and workers.
- Dominic Campbell, Fellow, Intergovernmental Software Collaborative, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
- Kirsten Wyatt, Fellow, Digital Service Network, Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, Georgetown University
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CLOSING | 4:00 - 4:30 pm
Closing Session
➤ fisher colloquium
- Digital Benefits Network Team
Community Norms & Code of Conduct
Community Norms
- Be kind and respectful to each other
- Make space, take space
- Normalize using pronouns
- Use “I” statements
- Be reflective and mindful
- Be open and honest
- Take the best, leave the rest
- Be present— please minimize use of devices and step away if you need to
A note on recording and confidentiality:
Most of BenCon is not being video or audio recorded, but we will have notetakers in each session, and activities where sharing ideas, experiences, and dialogue are encouraged. Please share as much as you are comfortable with. We will check back in with individuals before any quotes or identifiers are published in recaps or elsewhere.
Code of Conduct
The Digital Benefits Network is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or political affiliation. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. View our full code of conduct.
Accessibility
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by June 1 to the BenCon team via bencon@georgetown.edu. A good faith effort will be made to fulfill requests made after June 1.
Location
BenCon will be hosted in the Rafik B. Hariri Building at the McDonough School of Business on Georgetown University’s Main Campus at 37th and O Streets, N.W. Washington D.C. 20057.
Campus Map
Getting to Campus
Ride Hail or Taxi Service
Uber/Lyft or taxi driver to 3700 O Street NW or Georgetown University, which will drop you off at the front gates to campus. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Hariri building. We encourage you to carpool with others attending BenCon, if possible.
Public Transportation
There are also a variety of public transportation options that service Georgetown and the Georgetown Neighborhood:
Metrobus
Bus schedules | Fare is $2 by exact change cash, SmarTrip Card, or SmarTrip Mobile
- The G2 bus stops at the university's main gates at 37th & O Streets, NW and connects to the Dupont Circle metro station (Red Line).
- D2 bus – stops in Georgetown at 35th Street & Reservoir Road NW and connects with Glover Park and the Dupont Circle metro station (Red Line).
- 38B bus – stops in Georgetown at M Street & 34th Street NW and connects with Rosslyn, Foggy Bottom and Farragut West metro stations (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and Farragut North metro station (Red Line).
- 30s series buses (30N, 30S, 31, 33) – stops along Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown at P Street and N Street NW, and connects with Friendship Heights and Tenleytown-AU metro stations (Red Line), as well as Foggy Bottom and Farragut West metro stations (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines
DC Circulator
Fare is $1 by exact change cash, SmarTrip Card, or SmarTrip Mobile
The DC Circulator is another public bus that serves the Georgetown neighborhood close to the university.
The Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn route stops in Georgetown at 34th & M Street, NW and connects with the Dupont Circle metro station (Red Line) and Rosslyn metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines).
The Georgetown-Union Station route stops in Georgetown at Wisconsin Ave. & N Street NW and at Wisconsin Ave. & M Street NW. This route also connects with Downtown DC, the Georgetown Downtown campus and Union Station.
Parking on Campus
Should you choose to drive to campus, please plan to park in the Southwest Garage. After you pull into the garage, you will follow the signs for daily parking. If you plan on driving, please let the BenCon team know so that we can make arrangements for parking validation.
Public Health
With the end of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, and following improved public health conditions, Georgetown has updated the university’s COVID-19 protocols. Visitors are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. There are no COVID-related protocols for building access.
Wearing a mask is optional in university-owned and operated buildings. Free high-quality masks continue to be available at entrances to most campus buildings. Everyone has the right to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish on our campuses.
Please note Georgetown policies are subject to change ahead of the event. We will keep attendees informed about any changes. We ask that anyone who feels unwell ahead of or during the event to stay home.
