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

article thumbnail

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?

article thumbnail

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governments have for years toiled under the burden of technical debt, commonly described as the cost of maintaining outdated software and systems instead of investing in modernization.Technical debt is still a key issue for government IT leaders.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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

231
231
article thumbnail

Holiday Safety Tips for Municipal Operations

The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but it also introduces unique challenges for municipal operations. From ensuring safe snow removal and managing icy sidewalks to organizing festive events and addressing increased community needs, municipalities play a critical role in keeping residents safe and operations running smoothly. This eBook provides actionable safety tips to help your team navigate the holiday season effectively, protect staff and citizens, and ensure compliance with safe

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

More Trending

article thumbnail

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.

Voting 240
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

How Breckenridge, CO Ensures Tax & Licensing Compliance

Breckenridge’s short-term rental boom—over 4,200 licenses —put intense pressure on the town’s small staff and manual processes. Facing compliance and efficiency challenges, the town teamed up with GovOS to automate its STR licensing. The new system: Cut admin time Reduced errors Improved the experience for property owners and town staff Discover the full impact of automation on Breckenridge’s STR management—download the case study.

article thumbnail

CISA’s Shields Up Expansion, Shields Ready, Spotlights Resilience

FedTech Magazine

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has expanded its Shields Up initiative with the launch of the Shields Ready campaign to improve situational cyber resilience governmentwide. Shields Ready complements Shields Up by enabling both the public and private sectors with tools, resources, policies and guidelines for mitigating cybersecurity incidents when they happen.

Campaign 114
article thumbnail

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.

114
114
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

Overcoming Operational Challenges in Parks & Recreation

Speaker: Noratek

Maintaining parks and recreation facilities efficiently is no easy task, especially when faced with scheduling issues, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent inspections. Join us for this insightful webinar where we explore the most common challenges departments like yours are facing and how digital tools like CityReporter can help you streamline operations, ensure safety, and make better use of your resources.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

81
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Boost Revenue With Simple Short-Term Rental Registration and Tax Collections

Government agencies that rely on tax revenue to fund critical services and infrastructure are finding it more urgent than ever to bridge the gap between under-reported tax revenue and taxpayers’ understanding of the processes. This is especially true as things like short-term rentals (STRs) have grown in popularity and become new sources of income for residents.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

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.