Smart Policy Works
Smart Policy Works LLC is a Chicago-based strategy consulting group that helps government agencies and community-level providers align public systems and improve outcomes for medically and socially complex populations, including returning citizens and high-utilizers of emergency services, through cross-sector data analysis, convening, and program evaluation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Smart Policy Works does
Smart Policy Works LLC is a Chicago-based strategy consulting group that helps government agencies and community-level providers align public systems and optimize health and human services investments for medically and socially complex populations. Founded by CEO Barbara Otto in 2020 as an independent entity spun out from Health & Disability Advocates (where she led policy work since 1994), the firm operates as a convener, facilitator, and subject matter expert working across local, state, and federal levels. Its core offerings include the Road Map Initiative (a cross-sector effort to disrupt cycles of high-utilizers cycling across emergency rooms, homeless services, and criminal-legal systems), coordinated Reentry Services delivered through the Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative, and broader strategy consulting services covering care model development, systems alignment, and program evaluation.
The firm's underlying methodology combines quality improvement tools, systems thinking, design thinking, and improvement-science frameworks with a proprietary cross-sector data linking approach developed in partnership with University of Chicago Urban Labs – Health Lab. It connects datasets from emergency rooms, homeless services, and the criminal-legal system to identify service use patterns and systemic gaps, supplemented by journey mapping with lived experience and qualitative analysis. Technology is service-delivery oriented rather than product-oriented; the firm does not sell software or AI products. Its intellectual property consists of frameworks, methodologies, and a published content library including the No Nonsense Guide Series on Medicaid, Medicare, and employment/disability.
Smart Policy Works generates revenue through government consulting contracts and state grants, with no publicly disclosed pricing. Key revenue streams include local and state government contracts for policy systems change and technical assistance, multi-year Healthcare Transformation state grants, and program evaluation engagements. The customer base is concentrated in Chicago municipal agencies, Cook County, Illinois state agencies, and a network of 270+ community organizations through the Make Medicare Work Coalition. The firm also served as contractor with the National Consortium for Health Systems Development across 39 states. Distribution is exclusively direct partnership engagement with no self-serve or channel-based sales.
Smart Policy Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smart Policy Works
- Legal name
- Smart Policy Works LLC
- Website
- https://smartpolicyworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Smart Policy Works LLC is a Chicago-based strategy consulting group that helps government agencies and community-level providers align public systems and improve outcomes for medically and socially complex populations, including returning citizens and high-utilizers of emergency services, through cross-sector data analysis, convening, and program evaluation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smart Policy Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Sector Health and Human Services Consulting
- NAICS
- Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Health Strategy, Policy & Legislation (HLAJAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Care Management & Population Health Program Administration (HLAEALAG)
Keywords
Where Smart Policy Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smart Policy Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Consulting Contracts: Revenue derived from contracts with government agencies at local, state, and federal levels for policy systems change consulting, technical assistance, and program evaluation services.
- Healthcare Transformation Collaborative: Working with state grants for multi-year Healthcare Transformation projects, applying whole-health approaches to serving target populations.
- Program Development and Evaluation: Strategy consulting for care model development, systems alignment, and program evaluation for community-level providers and government partners.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Smart Policy Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smart Policy Works is a strategy consulting group that helps government agencies and community-level providers improve health and social outcomes for medically and socially complex populations. Its core offerings include Reentry Services (delivered through the Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative with navigator support for returning citizens), the Road Map Initiative (a cross-sector effort addressing high utilizers cycling across emergency departments, homeless services, and the criminal-legal system), and broader Strategy Consulting Services spanning care model development, systems alignment, qualitative analysis, and process evaluation.
Product overview
Smart Policy Works LLC is a strategy consulting group dedicated to improving the health and well-being of complex populations. The company does not offer a software product; rather, it provides consulting services that help programs work smarter and better through adoption of strategies that integrate social determinants of health and equity. The company's core offerings include: (1) Reentry Services, delivered through the Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative, providing coordinated reentry services with navigator support for returning citizens; (2) the Road Map Initiative, a cross-sector initiative using data analysis and systems thinking to address high utilizers cycling across emergency services; and (3) broader Strategy Consulting Services spanning quality improvement tools, care model development, and process evaluations for government agencies and community-level providers. All offerings emphasize a race and social equity lens with a focus on value-based arrangements and community-level solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Reentry Services (Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative) Coordinated reentry services for returning citizens in Chicago and Cook County, delivered through the Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative. Individuals released from jail or prison are matched with navigators who help them access services across public benefits, medical and behavioral health, housing, food, transportation, and employment.
- Road Map Initiative Cross-sector initiative focused on disrupting cycles of high utilizers cycling across hospital emergency departments, homeless services, and the criminal-legal system in Chicago and Cook County. Uses cross-sector data analysis (developed with University of Chicago Urban Labs), journey mapping, and systems thinking to identify systemic gaps and develop scalable, person-centered intervention models including flexible supports and stabilization housing.
- Strategy Consulting Services Strategy consulting offering for government agencies and community-level providers applying quality improvement tools, systems thinking, and design strategies to help programs integrate social determinants of health and equity. Services include cross-agency solution building, care model development, qualitative analyses, and process evaluations, with expertise spanning Medicaid, Medicare, employment, and disability programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Service utilization cost reduced to $300 million over four years through targeted intervention strategies
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Smart Policy Works
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Smart Policy Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Smart Policy Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, major and flagship.
- All ChicagocorePartner in addressing homelessness and housing instability in Chicago. Participates in Road Map Initiative focused on high-utilizers cycling across emergency services.
- Bobby E. Wright CentersupportingMental health and behavioral health services provider participating in Road Map Initiative steering committee.
- Chicago Department of Family Support Services, Homeless Prevention ServicescoreCity agency partner addressing homelessness and providing social services. Key partner in reentry services and homeless prevention initiatives.
- Chicago Department of HousingcoreCity housing agency partner addressing housing instability and working on housing solutions for complex populations.
- Chicago Department of Public HealthcoreCity health department partner in health systems transformation and public health initiatives.
- Conlon Public StrategiessupportingPublic strategies firm engaged in alliance network.
- Cook County Sheriff's OfficecoreJustice system partner in reentry services and high-utilizer intervention programs. Provides data and coordinates intervention for returning citizens.
- Heartland Alliance HealthcoreLead partner in Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative and Road Map Initiative. Healthcare provider specializing in services for vulnerable populations.
- Illinois Health Practice AlliancecoreAlliance of health providers working to optimize Medicaid-reimbursable services. Partner in rapid-cycle operations tests and data linking for warm hand-offs.
- Illinois Justice ProjectsupportingJustice reform organization participating in Road Map Initiative steering committee.
- Kennedy ForumsupportingMental health advocacy organization engaged in alliance network addressing behavioral health issues.
- Mercy Housing LakefrontcoreHousing provider and founding partner in Road Map Initiative. Addresses housing needs for people cycling across systems.
- Safer FoundationcoreLead partner in PEERR Network and Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative. Organization dedicated to supporting returning citizens.
- TASC, Inc.coreTreatment alternatives for safe communities. Key partner in Road Map Initiative and conducted housing stability survey of people involved in criminal-legal systems.
- UIC Health & Hospitals SystemcoreUniversity health system partner in healthcare transformation and reentry services. Participates in steering committee for cross-system initiatives.
- University of Chicago Urban Labs – Health LabcoreResearch partner conducting data analysis linking datasets from Homeless Management Information System, Cook County Sheriff's Office, and Illinois Department of Public Health to understand cross-sector utilization patterns.
- Women's Justice InstitutesupportingJustice reform organization focused on women engaged in alliance network.
- National Consortium for Health Systems DevelopmentmajorState-to-state technical assistance collaborative developing cross-agency approaches to employment and training for people with disabilities. Smart Policy Works was contractor with 39 states.
- Make Medicare Work CoalitionmajorCoalition co-founded by Smart Policy Works bringing together more than 700 people representing 270 agencies and organizations to promote access to affordable health care in Illinois since 2004.
- Medicaid Leadership GroupmajorAdvocacy organization of policymakers, legislators, advocates, providers, and consumers launched by Smart Policy Works to work with State of Illinois to improve the healthcare system.
- Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative Public HealthflagshipFederal advisory council to which CEO Barbara Otto was appointed by President Barack Obama. Represents highest-level recognition and engagement with federal health policy.
- Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc.corePartner in Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative providing services to returning residents.
- KAM Alliance, Inc.supportingPartner in Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative.
- Transforming Reentry Services/MWIPsupportingPartner in Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative.
- Get to WorksupportingPartner in Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative focused on employment.
- Legal Council for Health JusticesupportingLegal services partner in Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative.
- AT&TsupportingContributed cell phones and support to PEERR Network helping returning citizens.
- Chicago Community TrustsupportingPhilanthropic funder supporting PEERR Network reentry services.
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information AuthoritysupportingState agency funder supporting PEERR Network reentry services.
- Meridian HealthsupportingHealthcare organization contributing to PEERR Network reentry services.
- The Robert R. McCormick FoundationsupportingFoundation funder supporting PEERR Network reentry services.
- United WaysupportingFunder supporting PEERR Network reentry services.
- Justice System PartnerssupportingPartner in Road Map Initiative steering committee providing justice system expertise.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Smart Policy Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Health Management Associates: National healthcare consulting firm focused on state Medicaid agencies, public health policy, and behavioral health systems. Highly comparable to SPW in serving state government clients on Medicaid transformation, cross-system care models, and program evaluation.
- Community Catalyst: National nonprofit advocacy and policy organization working on Medicaid, health equity, and consumer engagement. Comparable in mission focus on healthcare access for vulnerable populations and policy advocacy at state level.
- Bailit Health: Healthcare consulting firm advising state agencies, employers, and health plans on Medicaid, payment reform, and care delivery transformation. Comparable to SPW in serving state Medicaid clients and value-based care strategy work.
- Center for Health Care Strategies: Nonprofit policy resource center dedicated to improving care for Medicaid beneficiaries, especially complex populations. Highly comparable to SPW's mission of advancing Medicaid cross-system coordination and supporting state agencies serving high-need populations.
- Manatt Health: Strategy and policy consulting practice serving state Medicaid agencies, health plans, and providers on Medicaid policy, integrated care, and SDOH. Directly comparable to SPW in target customer (state agencies), Medicaid expertise, and policy consulting model.
Broad incumbents
- Mathematica Policy Research: Large policy research and consulting firm working with federal and state agencies on health, human services, and disability programs. Comparable in serving state Medicaid agencies and producing program evaluations, but at significantly greater scale.
- McKinsey Health Institute: Global consulting practice with growing focus on health equity and Social Determinants of Health, advising state and federal agencies. Comparable in the SDOH and health equity consulting space, but operates at vastly larger scale and budget.
- NORC at the University of Chicago: Independent research institution conducting policy research for federal, state, and local government on health, justice, and social services. Comparable in data-driven policy research, cross-sector analysis, and government client base, but with substantially larger research capacity.
- The Lewin Group: Healthcare and human services consulting firm (part of IQVIA) advising government and commercial clients on Medicaid, Medicare, and health system transformation. Comparable in policy consulting on Medicaid and public benefits but operates at national scale.
Emerging players
- Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH): National nonprofit focused on advancing supportive housing for vulnerable populations, including those cycling through homelessness, healthcare, and criminal-legal systems. Comparable to SPW's Road Map Initiative focus on housing for high-utilizers crossing public systems.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smart Policy Works social profiles
Digital presenceSmart Policy Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smart Policy Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Smart Policy Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Smart Policy Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smart Policy Works
What does Smart Policy Works do?
Smart Policy Works is a strategy consulting group that helps government agencies and community-level providers improve health and social outcomes for medically and socially complex populations. Its core offerings include Reentry Services (delivered through the Supportive Reentry Network Healthcare Transformation Collaborative with navigator support for returning citizens), the Road Map Initiative (a cross-sector effort addressing high utilizers cycling across emergency departments, homeless services, and the criminal-legal system), and broader Strategy Consulting Services spanning care model development, systems alignment, qualitative analysis, and process evaluation.
Is Smart Policy Works a public or private company?
Smart Policy Works is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Smart Policy Works founded?
Smart Policy Works was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Smart Policy Works based?
Smart Policy Works is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Smart Policy Works make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Consulting Contracts are the primary driver. The others are healthcare Transformation Collaborative and program Development and Evaluation.
Who are Smart Policy Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Health Management Associates, Community Catalyst, Bailit Health, Center for Health Care Strategies and Manatt Health. Broad incumbents are Mathematica Policy Research, McKinsey Health Institute, NORC at the University of Chicago and The Lewin Group. Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Smart Policy Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smart Policy Works.
What industry is Smart Policy Works in?
Smart Policy Works's product category is Public Sector Health and Human Services Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAMAA, Public Health Strategy, Policy & Legislation, with a secondary code of BPAIAKAH, Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage). Its NAICS code is 923120 and its SIC code is 8742.