LibGuides: SW 354: Macro Social Work: Researching Advocacy Orgs & .gov Resources

Sunlight Foundation Tools: Tracking Politics

Congressional Staff Directory
Search for and find Capitol Hill contacts using the latest employee data available from Congress
GovTrack
GovTrack.us tracks the United States Congress and helps Americans participate in their national legislature by publishing the status of federal legislation, information about your representative and senators in Congress including voting records, and original research on bills and votes.

Looking for Elected Officials?

Look for your federal and state representatives:

Step 1: Find your 9-digit zip code. Don't know it? Don't worry, Look Up A Zipcode on the United States Potal Service website.

Step 2: Find your elected officials using Project Vote Smart.

Massachusetts Government

Looking for state agencies in Massachusetts? Then Mass.Gov is going to be where you start. Looking for a different state? All governmental sites should end with ".gov" and are form of the state's name.

Looking for laws or legislators in Massachusetts? Then malegislature.gov is going to be where you search.

The Boston Globe

Boston Globe Daily Digital Edition
Complete access to today's headlines on BostonGlobe.com for current students, staff and faculty.
Boston Globe Historical
Find news, editorials, letters to the editor, obituaries, and birth and marriage announcements as well as historical photos, stock photos and advertisements published from 1872-1979.
Boston Globe 1980-Present
Searchable database of the Boston Globe from 1800-present.
Available via the MBLC.

Resources for General Statistics

SimplyAnalytics Why search here? SimplyAnalytics (formerly SimplyMap) has all the data you need to answer key research questions, make sound business decisions, and understand the socio-demographic and economic conditions of any geographic area in the United States.What's included? They currently offer more than 75,000 data variables related to demographics, employment, housing, market segments, businesses, consumer spending, brand preferences, and public health. Limited to 5 concurrent users.

Sage Data Sage Data (formerly Data Planet) is a vast collection of U.S. and international statistics that allows users to scan and search the contents of billions of datasets, compare and contrast variables of interest, and create customized views in tables, maps, rankings, and charts, including descriptive summaries of the datasets and data sources.
Explore Census Data Search all the data available from the Census Bureau.
Bureau of Labor Statistics The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
Mapping the 2010 U.S. Census A New York Times project that allows users to browse population growth and decline, changes in racial and ethnic concentrations and patterns of housing development.
Measure of America (online) Similar to the reference book of the same title, this interactive resource lets you compare the Human Development Index in different parts of the United States.
Statistical Abstract of the United States Available through 2011, both in print and online. After 2011 the Abstract will no longer be published, although the data will still be available through the Census and other government organizations
STATS: We Check Out the Numbers Behind the News The non-profit, non-partisan Statistical Assessment Service - STATS - works to correct scientific misinformation in the media and in public policy resulting from bad science, politics, or a simple lack of information or knowledge; and to act as a resource for journalists and policy makers on major scientific issues and controversies.
UNESCO Institute for Statistics Global and internationally comparable statistics on education, literacy, science & technology, culture and communication.
Bureau of Justice Statistics Find statistics on corrections, courts, victims, types of crime, law enforcement and more. Also includes information on human trafficking.
Statistical Insight Indexes U.S. Federal statistics (1973-present), state government and business statistics (1980-present), and international statistics (1880-present). Full-text coverage: 2004-present (U.S. Federal), 2007-present (state, business, international).

Statistical Insight is available with a BPL log in (visit a BPL branch to get a library card or get an eCard online)

Social Work Statistics

Administration for Children Families Statistics & Research: Children's Bureau The Children's Bureau is an office of the Administration for Children & Families (a government agency that compiles statistics and funds research with other agencies). Provides state and national data. Includes statistics on adoption and foster care; child abuse and neglect; and child welfare.
Administration on Aging: Statistics This information is a wide variety of statistical information about the growing population of people 65+.
Boston Indicators Project A project of the Boston Foundation, that helps facilitate an understanding Boston and its neighborhoods in a regional, national and global context. Includes granular statistics about Boston neighborhoods.
ChildStats: Forum on Child and Family Statistics The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (Forum) is a collection of 22 Federal government agencies involved in research and activities related to children and families. The Forum's annual report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, provides the Nation with a summary of national indicators of child well-being and monitors changes in these indicators over time.
Ending Homelessness in Boston Find information on the services and programs available to homeless people in Boston, as well as data and reports on homelessness in the city.
National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics The National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics (NCVAS) supports planning, analysis, and decision-making activities through the collection, validation, analysis, and dissemination of key statistics on Veteran population and VA programs.
National Institute of Mental Health Understanding the scope and treatment of mental health problems in the US is central to NIMH's mission. Easily navigable resources highlight a collection of NIMH's best data on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental disorders.
SAMHSA: Data, Outcomes and Quality A collection of data, surveys, and other publications organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Find statistics, reports, and programs for homeless people from federal, state, local, and non-profit agencies.
The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)
DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response This website is the Department of Defense's resource for people who deal with or have been affected be sexual assault.
Trafficking in Persons Report The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking.
Department of Homeland Security Search here for statistics on immigration-related topics, human trafficking and more.

Health Statistics

Boston Health Data Annual report reviewing of select health conditions, risk behaviors, and social determinants of health in the city of Boston.
National Center for Health Statistics The primary health statistics agency for the United States, and maintained by the Centers for Disease Control, NCHS. Includes statistics on topics such as diseases and prevention, injuries, healthcare and insurance, life stages and populations, and lifestyle.
PHP Health Data Tools & Statistics Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce is a collaboration of U.S. government agencies, public health organizations, and health sciences libraries which provides timely, convenient access to selected public health resources.
WHO Data & Statistics WHO's portal providing access to data and analyses for monitoring the global health situation