(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser hosted Form-a-Palooza, a public engagement forum where community members worked with design and behavioral science experts to rework several high-profile DC Government forms. During the event, residents were organized into small groups for review and redevelopment of five featured forms. 

“Over the past several weeks, my Administration has been highlighting how the government and the community can work hand-in-hand to make our city even better, and this event was a great example of how we are doing that,” said Mayor Bowser. “At today’s event, residents shared their ideas for making forms more efficient and easier to use. Now, my team will take those ideas and put them into action.” 

The five DC Government forms that residents worked on included: 

• Department of Motor Vehicles’ Driver’s License and Identification Card Application, used to obtain or renew a license or identification; 
• Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ Basic Business License EZ Form, used to certify a business as authorized to operate legally in the District;
• Department of Human Services’ TANF Job Search Log, used to document job search activities;
• Department of Disability Services’ Disability Services Intake Application, used to access developmental disability services; and 
• Department of Energy and Environment’s Lead Disclosure Form, used by landlords to report the potential presence of lead-based paint. 

The forms were selected for their rate of errors, omissions, and questions during completion.

During the event, participants heard from City Administrator Rashad Young, The Lab @ DC Director David Yokum, and Harvard Professor and noted behavioral economist Cass Sunstein. Vicky Wilkins, Interim Dean of the School of Public Affairs at American University, Barbra Kingsley, Partner with Kleinann Communications Group, and Jennifer Reed, the District’s Chief Performance Officer, also addressed participants and facilitated group discussions. 

On Thursday, the Mayor formally launched The Lab @ DC, a first-of-its-kind in-house data science team in the DC Government. The Lab, which will use data and evidence to inform decision making across DC Government, is funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, a national non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of individuals by strengthening social, governmental, and economic systems. 

For more information about The Lab @ DC, visit thelab.dc.gov. 

Form-a-Palooza is part of Back to Basics DC, an effort to highlight the day-to-day work that keeps the District moving forward. Follow Back to Basics DC on social media using #backtobasicsDC.