Sat.Jul 06, 2024 - Fri.Jul 12, 2024

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Policy learning governance: a new perspective on agency across policy learning theories 

Policy & Politics Journal blog

Public policy research is rife with questions about policymaking processes and outcomes. Yet, perhaps none as quintessential as – why do policy actors do what they do?

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From Technical Debt to Technical Wellness: A Guide for State and Local Agencies

State Tech Magazine

State and local governments have for years toiled under the burden of technical debt, commonly described as the cost of maintaining outdated software and systems instead of investing in modernization.Technical debt is still a key issue for government IT leaders. According to the National Association of State Chief Information Officers’ 2023 State CIO Survey, the most technical debt resides in human resources, health services and corrections.

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Keeping Agencies Up and Running

GovLoop

Government organizations have ample motivation to secure their networks, devices and infrastructure: Ransomware targets 58% of public-sector entities each year, and it costs them each more than $2 million, on average, to get up and running again. According to Jared Vichengrad, Head of Public Sector for Check Point, that’s largely because agencies struggle with legacy systems.

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A Proven Model for Supporting Maternal Health in Philly

Next City

First-time mothers join Philadelphia’s Nurse-Family Partnership program, a home-visiting model, and gain tools to better support their babies’ health.

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A Guide For City Managers & CAOs to Achieve Operational Excellence

This guide addresses the unique operational challenges faced by smaller municipalities, such as limited resources, budget constraints, and diverse community needs. By leveraging digital tools, City Managers and Municipal Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) can streamline workflows, enhance communication, and improve service delivery. The guide covers identifying operational challenges, choosing the right software, and implementing digital solutions.

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CT employment agency named federal grant recipient for helping formerly incarcerated people find jobs

The Whistle Post

A Connecticut employment agency has been named a recipient of a federal grant for its role in helping formerly incarcerated people find jobs , officials said. The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded The WorkPlace in Bridgeport a $2.5 million grant, according to the agency. The funds are part of more than $56 million in Pathway Home grants to help reduce recidivism and assist people in re-entering their communities after being incarcerated.

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In the long run: What leaders can learn from an Olympic gold medalist

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Alistair Brownlee, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, shares his strategies for staying resilient amid pushback, removing barriers to creating habits, and leading with conviction.

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This City Covered Up a Contaminated Park For Decades. Now What?

Next City

In Greensboro, North Carolina, city leaders will soon vote of the future of Bingham Park – a decision which could impact Black and low-income residents for generations to come.

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For Disability Pride Month—We Highlight Our Work on College Campus Access Issues

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The percentage of college students with disabilities has nearly doubled during the last two decades—with as many as 21% reporting a disability in 2020. These students face additional challenges in college, which can reduce their chances of graduating.

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The evolution of customer care: AI and the Gen Z effect

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Gen Z’s influence on consumer behavior and employment trends is driving contact center leaders to integrate AI, adapt to market changes, and implement holistic strategies for customer care.

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How Cities Can Pair Audio Detection with AI-Powered License Plate Recognition and Video Technology to Revolutionize Addressing Gun Violence

NLC (National League of Cities)

By Josh Thomas, Flock Safety Senior Vice President of Policy and Communications Though June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, city leaders across the country are painfully aware that gun violence is a pervasive issue that their communities grapple with every day.

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Empower Digital Government: Strategic Workbook for Modern Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping government interactions, bringing agencies closer to the communities they serve. However, while many have adopted new digital tools, few have implemented comprehensive strategies to maximize their benefits. Our Strategic Workbook for Modern Government offers a step-by-step guide to developing a sustainable digital strategy.

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Unique and Irreplaceable Cities Making the Urban Amazon Visible

The City Fix

Amazonian cities are diverse in opportunities and needs. The region’s biodiversity is among the world’s most important, but its cities’ sustainability challenges are less well-known. These jurisdictions require financial support and capacity building to create sustainable, conservation-oriented, equitable, urban green.

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Hydrogen-powered flights: A greener sky by 2045

Open Access Government - Technology News

Exciting advances in hydrogen technology mean that fossil-free air travel could soon become a reality. Find out more here: Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have unveiled groundbreaking studies indicating that nearly all air travel within a 750-mile radius (1200 km) could be powered by hydrogen aircraft by 2045. Hydrogen aviation This development promises to revolutionise short and medium-range flights, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-powere

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Helping boards manage geopolitical risk with Jon Huntsman Jr.

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

In a conversation with the board director and former diplomat, two McKinsey experts offer advice on how boards can guide their organizations through volatile times.

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When the Heat is On: How Cities Can Protect At-Risk Residents

NLC (National League of Cities)

Co-authored by Shweta Arya, Sr. Project Manager, Smart Surfaces, APHA Extreme heat is a silent killer. As the National League of Cities noted in 2023, warming from climate change — compounded by urban heat islands — is already having a severe impact on the health and well-being of communities across the country.

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7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

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5 Questions to Ask About Your Hybrid Data Center’s Power

FedTech Magazine

Moving applications to the cloud doesn’t mean you can shut down your old data center. Agencies need basic computing services, such as on-premises print and directory servers. Applications that can’t be “lifted and shifted” will need a place to live in an onsite data center. With real estate at a premium, IT managers can save space by building new, smaller data centers to handle the few on-premises devices required.

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GPT consult: Leading the way as authorising engineers

Open Access Government - Technology News

Founded in 2011, GPT Consult has grown significantly since its origin to become one of the leading firms of authorising engineers Graham Taylor has developed the business from a sole engineer company to cover multiple disciplines of healthcare engineering and having a team of five authorising engineers supported by other engineers and a back-office team.

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Building AI-enabled services

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Advanced digital, automation, and AI technologies offer a great customer experience at low cost. The real challenge is building services organizations that can make the most of these new tools.

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Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District Uses Automation to Build a More Robust and Resilient Cybersecurity Posture

Government Technology Insider

Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District is responsible for treating stormwater and wastewater in Vallejo, California to protect the health and safety of its residents and the environment. Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District’s small IT team was overwhelmed trying to keep up with routine cybersecurity tasks and mitigating risk. The IT team needed to improve their overall cybersecurity posture and improve endpoint management without slowing down service delivery.

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ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

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New AI Guide Launched for Edtech Developers

Homeroom

The U.S. Department of Education today launched “Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence: An Essential Guide for Developers,” a resource for education technology (edtech) community members — product leads and their teams of innovators, designers, developers, customer-facing staff, and legal teams — as they work to establish safety, security, and trust while creating artificial intelligence Continue Reading The post New AI Guide Launched for Edtech Developers appeared fir

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SMS tech’s operational mana software for the NHS

Open Access Government - Technology News

A tool to enable your organisation to grow – no one knows your organisation as well as you do; allow SMS Tech’s operational management software for the NHS to work around your organisation when responding to health challenges The NHS faces numerous challenges that affect operational efficiency and overall quality of care. Key issues include time wasted on non-value-added tasks, low staff morale, high consumable spending, environmental concerns, and maintaining CQC compliance.

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Offshore wind: Strategies for uncertain times

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

The offshore wind industry is facing macroeconomic pressures that are halting growth and profitability. Developers can embrace four key actions to help navigate this changing environment.

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Local Partnerships Unlock Federal Water Infrastructure Funding for Disadvantaged Communities

NLC (National League of Cities)

Co-authored by Becky Anderson, M.S. Program Manager, WaterNow Alliance and Joni M. Palmer, Ph.D., APA, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Clean water infrastructure needs, including wastewater treatment and water quality improvements, total $630.1 billion nationally over the next 20 years. Similarly, the national drinking water infrastructure needs represent another $625 billion.

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Key Strategies for Public Works Employees to Embrace Government Software

In a rapidly evolving landscape, the integration of digital software into Public Works teams has become imperative. This shift presents an opportunity to transcend traditional approaches, unlocking new levels of efficiency, cost savings, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This eBook offers comprehensive strategies to navigate this transformation.

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How Can Government Work Better? Here Are Our Recommendations to do Just That While Saving Billions of Taxpayer Dollars

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

GAO’s role as a watchdog agency means we are always looking for ways to improve government programs and operations, and save taxpayers money. We make recommendations to federal agencies and sometimes to Congress on actions they can take to make.

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7 reasons to attend the 2024 AWS IMAGINE conference for education, state, and local leaders

AWS Public Sector Blog

Leaders in education and state and local government know that technology is changing at a rapid pace. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies present more opportunities for institutions and agencies to make data-driven decisions, accelerate research, create personalized and convenient student and citizen services, automate processes, and more.

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Where procurement is going next

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Our latest procurement benchmarking data reveals the tools, capabilities, and ways of working that are helping leading companies protect their profits in turbulent times.

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Low-Cost Municipal Pilot Programs to Encourage Home Electrification

NLC (National League of Cities)

Co-authored by Emma O’Reilly, Intern, National League of Cities According to a report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), using behavioral science can promote residential electrification and help overcome common deterrents, like high costs and perceived inefficiencies of electric appliances.

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A Guide For Everyone: Accessibility & Inclusivity Inspection Handbook

Dive into this comprehensive guide to inclusivity and accessibility! This handbook equips you with indispensable insights and practical strategies to ensure every space welcomes all. Whether you're an inspector, designer, or municipal employee, streamline compliance with regulations while fostering genuine inclusivity. From detailed checklists to case studies, we cover every aspect, empowering you to create environments that prioritize accessibility without compromising service.

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Rebuilding Kenya Stronger: Here’s What’s Needed to Rebound After Catastrophic Floods

The City Fix

In Kenya and throughout east Africa, flooding this past April and May wreaked havoc, leaving a path of deadly destruction. The unprecedented deluge of heavy rainfall resulted in a catastrophe that many in Kenya have never witnessed. According to a June.

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Satellite mission operations using artificial intelligence on AWS

AWS Public Sector Blog

Mission operation centers (MOC) have been a critical element of humanity venturing into space, ranging from journeying to the moon in the 1960s all the way to present day and launching new satellite constellations. Traditional MOCs are composed of many different subsystems, including command and control, mission planning, flight dynamics, and payload processing.

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A data leader’s technical guide to scaling gen AI

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

The emergence of gen AI is forcing data and AI leaders to revisit their data platforms. Companies that move now can position themselves well for the data-driven future.

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POTHOLES ON THE AI ROAD

Barrett & Greene

We’re not scared of AI. It doesn’t take much historical memory to know that pretty much any new technology brings out fear and trepidation. In fact, according to Techradar, “When the Stockton-Darlington Railway opened in 1825, people feared the worst: the human body, surely, wasn't made to travel at incredible speeds of 30 miles per hour. People genuinely believed that going that quickly would kill you in gruesome ways, such as your body melting.

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The Ultimate Playground Inspection Handbook

Dive into the world of playground safety with this complimentary guide. It offers a detailed exploration of essential practices to ensure the utmost safety for children. Delve into inspection techniques, from assessing equipment conditions to evaluating surfacing materials. Gain insights into maintenance strategies to keep playgrounds in top-notch condition year-round.