press
newsworthy impact
We’re breaking new ground. Civilla’s work has been recognized both for its people-centered methodology and its large-scale impact. For press inquiries, drop us a line at press@civilla.org.
Civilla Press Release
Civilla publishes guidance to help states implement Medicaid work requirements under H.R. 1
New report equips states with human-centered strategies to cut red tape, protect coverage, and prepare for 2026 deadline.
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The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program
Designing for People, with People
Civilla discusses our unique approach to benefits systems design and transformation.
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Detroit Free Press
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency director steps down to join Detroit nonprofit
Civilla's CEO transition announcement is featured to highlight the organization's next phase of growth and impact.
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Civilla Press Release
Civilla welcomes a new CEO
Civilla ushers in next chapter of leadership with the announcement of new CEO, Julia Dale
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Government Technology
Can Human-Centered Design Help Rebuild Trust in Government?
Civilla shares how the effects of the pandemic deepened the need for human-centered design in government institutions.
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Crain's Grand Rapids
Michigan’s unemployment agency was mired in pandemic controversy. Can it reinvent itself?
Civilla's work featured as part of Michigan UIA's holistic approach to modernization.
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Harvard Business Review
Rid Your Organization of Obstacles That Infuriate Everyone
Civilla's method of in-person research is highlighted as an important way to remove organizational obstacles.
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GovTech Magazine
Human-Centric Design Is Still Evolving in Government
Civilla's work featured to highlight how government agencies are increasingly adopting human-centered design to improve public services
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Urban Institute
Strategies for Improving Public Benefits Access and Retention
Civilla part of the advisory council that provided feedback on 30 strategies for improving access to public benefit programs
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Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Unemployment agency awarded $2.4 million federal grant for reforms that support Michigan employers
Civilla's partnership with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency expands to improve how the agency engages with employers
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
How Improving Economic Mobility Makes Lives Better
Melinda French Gates spotlights Civilla's work to improve access to safety net benefits
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Design Museum Magazine
Closing the gap between user experience and policy design
Civilla's design process used as an example of improving how policy gets made and put into practice
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Harvard Social Impact Review
Tackling Complex Problems with Common Sense and Efficient Solutions for the Future
Civilla's unique approach to systems change lifted up by Harvard's Advanced Leadership Initiative
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The New York Times
How Tech is Helping Poor People Get Government Aid
Civilla's work featured in the New York Times as an example of how human-centered design can help lower the burden of bureaucracy on the people our government serves
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Georgetown University
Preparing for Human-centered Redesign
Civilla's work and approach lifted up in a guide for agencies who want to get started using human-centered design to modernize benefits delivery
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Campaigns & Elections
Rethinking the Political Approach to Design by Adding a Human Element
Civilla's work lifted up as an example of how to put people back in the center of public design
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The Atlantic
The Time Tax
Civilla's work to streamline the public benefits application process in Michigan lifted up in the Atlantic
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Tara McGuinness and Hana Schank
Power to the Public
Civilla's work featured as a blueprint for how to harness the power of technology to help solve some the most pressing challenges of our time
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Stanford University
Creative Acts for Curious People
Civilla's work featured in the Stanford d.school's new book, alongside more than eighty creative assignments from its decade-long history
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International Design Award
bronze award - print design
Civilla's work to redesign renewal mailings for the Michigan Department of State wins bronze in 2020 International Design Award (IDA)
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New America
A Playbook for Improving Unemployment Insurance Delivery
Civilla's research featured in a 'north star vision' for what unemployment benefits can be, and how they can be implemented well
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Georgetown University
economic recovery starts with a modern social safety net benefit system
Civilla’s work featured by the Beeck Center as a successful model for bringing public benefits delivery up to contemporary standards
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Aspen Institute
social listening: covid-19, social media, and the path to a better safety net
Civilla’s human-centered design work featured by the Aspen Institute as an approach to emulate for Unemployment Insurance reform
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Politico
if free college is the goal, start with community college
Michigan’s new, free community college program lifted up by Politico as an example of bipartisan achievement. Civilla’s research helped shape the program
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Detroit Free Press
625,000 essential workers in michigan eligible for free college
Governor Whitmer announces Future for Frontliners, a free community college program for frontline workers across Michigan. Civilla’s research helped shape the program
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Bridge Magazine
michigan’s new, free community college program
Governor Whitmer announces Michigan Reconnect, the largest effort in state history to increase college attainment. Civilla’s research helped shape the program
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GovTech Magazine
civilla expands michigan benefits application process
Civilla’s work to streamline Michigan’s public benefits renewal forms featured in GovTech magazine
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News Tribune
state taking steps to simplify medicaid application process
Civilla’s work to transform Missouri’s benefits application featured in News Tribune
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Washington Post
the government’s inefficient delivery means relief will come too late for many americans
Civilla’s Project Re:Form featured as an example of how to streamline application processes and improve public benefits delivery
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ABC News
new website aims to make sure michiganders get their federal stimulus checks asap
Civilla’s partnership with Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan featured by ABC News Detroit
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Detroit Free Press
poor and homeless in michigan at risk of missing out on stimulus
Civilla’s work to develop the 2020 Coronavirus Stimulus Payment website featured in the Detroit Free Press
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Core77
2019 winner - service design
Civilla’s Project Re:Form honored in global Core77 Design Awards for Service Design and Social Impact
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NPR
how michigan used human-centric design to make its public benefits process more user friendly
Civilla’s work featured by Stateside on Michigan Radio
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GovTech Magazine
top 25 dreamers, doers, and drivers of 2019
Civilla honored as one of the top innovators in the public sector by GovTech Magazine
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Harvard University
top 25 innovations in american government
Civilla’s work in government recognized by Harvard University in 2018
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Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
top 100 organizations moving society forward
Civilla honored by Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in 2018 YBCA100 List
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Ann Mei Chang
lean impact - how to innovate for radically greater social good
Civilla’s work featured in Lean Impact for transcending the barriers to innovation in the impact space
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State Scoop
five states to modernize eligibility systems in new pilot partnership
Civilla’s work in the Integrated Benefits Initiative featured in StateScoop
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GovTech Magazine
a blueprint for human-centered change
Civilla’s Health and Human Services work featured in GovTech Magazine
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International Design Awards
gold award – design for society
Civilla’s Project Re:Form wins Gold in 2018 International Design Awards (IDA)
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Driven x Design
gold award – government experience
Civilla’s Project Re:Form wins Gold Award in Government Experience by Driven x Design
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Crains
civilla, code for america team up to improve public benefit applications
Civilla’s mobile technology pilot featured in Crain’s Detroit
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Bridge Magazine
michigan tames a 18,409 word testament to bureaucracy run amok
Civilla’s application redesign featured in Bridge Magazine
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GovTech Magazine
michigan scales back massive applications process with human-centered design
Civilla’s application redesign featured in GovTech Magazine
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Bridge Magazine
death to government mumbo jumbo
Civilla’s approach to plain language featured in Bridge Magazine
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Harvard Business Review
to persuade people, trade powerpoint for papier-mache
Civilla’s storytelling methodology featured in Harvard Business Review
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