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Justine Brown

Contributing Writer


RECENT ARTICLES

February 20, 2015

Is Social Media the Key to Effective Communication During Campus Emergencies?

Study finds that social media lets campus authorities instantly reach a large percentage of students, who are more likely to comply with emergency notifications received in that manner.
February 20, 2015

Mobile App Helps New Jersey Transit Enhance Incident Management

At last year’s Super Bowl, New Jersey Transit officials evaluated how they could utilize an app to enhance visitor safety and security. Now, the agency is working to perfect that app and expand its use.
February 6, 2015

White House Big Data Report Stresses Importance of Protecting Data

Two congressmen announced that they will introduce student data privacy legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, perhaps as soon as the end of this month.
January 27, 2015

City and County of Durham, N.C., Launch Joint Open Data Initiative

The city and county will share both costs and a common platform and portal, with the goal of stimulating business development and creating new community services.

January 26, 2015

Maryland IT Undergoing Changing of the Guard

Three key IT leaders have all left the state to pursue other opportunities.

January 23, 2015

What the Centcom Twitter Hack Means to You

Agencies don't need to avoid social media, experts say, but they need to prepare for possible attacks.
January 23, 2015

Indiana and Texas Announce Civic Hackathon Challenge

The two states will battle for bragging rights for the best government application to serve citizens.
January 22, 2015

Three U.S. Communities Among 'Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2015'

Arlington County, Va., Columbus, Ohio, and Mitchell, S.D., are considered "the best on the planet to teach us how we should go about planning the future."
January 15, 2015

SF Transit Riders Can Soon Pay by Phone

The new system will allow riders to use debit cards, credit cards or PayPal to buy Muni tickets anywhere and at any time.
January 7, 2015

Using Social Media Data to Identify Outbreaks and Control Disease

Could infectious disease surveillance systems that accurately track social media data inform early warning systems and outbreak response?
December 19, 2014

Cities Adopt Cloud-Based Approaches to Disaster Recovery

New York City and Asheville, N.C., have both adopted private clouds to provide disaster recovery services, with promising results.
December 15, 2014

Florida DOT Implements Instant Driver Feedback System

The department's 'Opiniator' system lets drivers provide feedback instantly using their smartphone or other electronic device of their choice.

December 11, 2014

Texas and Alabama Join Microsoft Government Cloud

Cloud wins CJIS approval in Texas; Alabama implements hybrid cloud for HIX and Medicaid eligibility.
November 18, 2014

What are the Keys to Effective Leadership?

Five highly regarded government CIOs share their secrets to becoming trailblazers in government IT.
November 5, 2014

New Orleans Dials In Next-Gen 911 Technology

The integrated call control system improves the routing and handling of the 1 million emergency calls received every year.
October 15, 2014

Using Analytics to Spot Fraudulent Use of Disabled Parking

New Fraud-Detection-as-a-Service continues to “learn” over time, uncovering the latest and emerging methods of fraud.
October 8, 2014

North Carolina to Pilot Secure Electronic ID

The objective is to bring the well-established trust of a physical driver's license into the online environment as a low-cost, readily available, highly reliable means of assuring that people are who they claim to be in an online setting.

October 7, 2014

Fairfax County, Va., Provides Real-Time Access to Police Data

Using an overhauled mapping app, citizens can access hundreds of police service calls, in addition to neighborhood disturbances, thefts, drug or sex offenses, and more.
September 30, 2014

Nextdoor Debuts Service for Public Agencies

The popular social networking service will allow public agencies to communicate with more than 42,000 neighborhoods to discuss crime and safety issues.
September 17, 2014

Could The Weather Company Change Emergency Alerting?

In 2013 alone, The Weather Company delivered more 150,000 weather alerts to two-thirds of U.S. adults -- and it now is targeting its reach to informing people of emergencies.
September 17, 2014

Oakland County, Mich., Launches G2G Marketplace

The marketplace gives government agencies an easy way to research, purchase and implement technology solutions and professional services.
September 16, 2014

Michigan Taps Private Sector to Help Reform Procurement System

Running a procurement system can be costly, but Michigan expects its new reforms will make the process less cumbersome and cheaper.
September 2, 2014

How the Sharing Economy is Strengthening Emergency Response and Recovery

Governments are recognizing that sharing economy platforms can provide a vital link between needs and resources in times of disaster.

August 28, 2014

Underwater: Data Centers Nationwide Must Prepare for Flooding

Climate researchers predict sea-level rise will eventually submerge 316 coastal cities in the U.S. How are government data center managers planning for the future?
August 11, 2014

The Challenges of Broadband in Rural Libraries

Enabling change in library broadband starts with state and local governments seeing libraries as partners in achieving community-level goals.
August 7, 2014

Do Google Chromebooks Threaten Apple’s Dominance in Education?

Schools that have purchased Chromebooks versus iPads point to low cost and minimal maintenance requirements as the primary selling points.
August 6, 2014

New SNAP EBT System to Help South Carolina Combat Waste, Fraud and Abuse

Analytics will give the state's Department of Social Services data it can use to ensure benefits are being used as they were intended.
July 31, 2014

The Public Sector Considers Mobile-First Approaches to Citizen Interactions

More states and cities are announcing “mobile-first” strategies, but what does that really mean?
July 25, 2014

Indianapolis Modernizes Parking, Adds Millions

In partnership with Xerox, Indianapolis created ParkIndy, a pay-by-phone meter system and app that's using predictive analytics to make parking more convenient and boost infrastructure revenue.

July 8, 2014

Sensors, Wireless Tech Help States Monitor Troubled Bridges

Structural monitoring utilizing highly accurate sensing devices can enable objective, precise and timely performance data on the condition of our nation's bridges.
July 2, 2014

L.A. County Energy Efficiency Project Receives EPA Recognition

To streamline processes and reduce energy use, the LAC+USC Medical Center became a main IT hub, hosting major applications for the other hospitals and clinics.
July 2, 2014

California Flips the Switch on Massive New ERP

The state spent 11 years on what could be the nation's largest financial system upgrade. Roll out starts this week.
June 30, 2014

Pennsylvania Considers a Mobile App for WIC Payments

The Pennsylvania Health Department thinks a mobile app for EBT will streamline processes and encourage recipients to make healthier decisions when purchasing food.
June 30, 2014

Should States Take the Lead on Implementing Alert Systems?

Some states are implementing statewide systems while others are giving localities the lead and providing oversight and support.
June 25, 2014

Michigan Improves IT Project Oversight with New Enterprise PMO

Recognizing the increasingly critical role that information technology plays in the delivery of services, the Michigan Legislature recently appropriated $47 million annually for IT investment.

June 20, 2014

New Cities Foundation: Cities Poised to Lead Technology Revolution

The Future of Cities Roundtable featured guest speakers who shared real-life examples of how technology is changing the way cities and communities offer services to citizens.

June 12, 2014

California's DHCS Introduces New Systems to Improve Service to Medi-Cal Recipients

As the agency transitions from a fee-for-service model to a managed care approach, the new technology initiatives should help them improve business operations, and adopt and use national standards.
June 12, 2014

California Legislation Would Expand Technology-Enabled Genetic Screening

Dr. Pan says Assembly Bill 1559 can save a lifetime of debilitating problems for a child by properly diagnosing and treating ALD before its symptoms appear.
June 11, 2014

70 Percent of States Making Significant Progress Around FirstNet

According to NASCIO's new report, there is a broad variance in the maturity of state planning, ongoing outreach and governance strategies around FirstNet.

June 10, 2014

Ohio Leverages CRM to Improve Services for Developmentally Disabled

The system, now in pilot phase, is expected to boost collaboration among providers while improving person-centered care across the state's 88 counties.
June 9, 2014

L.A. County Implements New System to Ease Procurement Challenges

The organization was previously challenged with complications and risks associated with managing its contracts and other legal documents, often resulting in strained relationships with key vendors and increased costs of operations.
June 4, 2014

Iowa Employs Big Data to Identify Potential UI Fraud

Fraud Detection as a Service is the latest in cloud-based tools that can help state agencies uncover increasingly sophisticated, computer-driven fraud schemes.
May 30, 2014

Rise of the Chief Privacy Officer

Chief privacy officers are common in the commercial world and at the agency level. Is there a role for a statewide CPO?

May 27, 2014

Palo Alto, Calif., Among First Cities to Connect 311 and Open Data Platforms

Near real-time data collected through the 311 app is available to the public 24 hours a day and is presented in visual format, so the public can quickly see what types of requests are coming in and where.
April 30, 2014

British Columbia’s Services Card May Connect Citizens to Multiple Gov Services in the Future

The province's new high-tech card enrolls people in an identity service that works for health -- and can one day work for any other program where people must be identified online.

March 4, 2014

Bringing Innovation to Procurement

Almost no one likes the procurement process. Here are some ideas for changing it.
February 26, 2014

Health Care Goes High-Tech

Digital devices are changing the face of health care — finally.
November 27, 2013

Software-Defined Networking Is Being Driven by Broadband and Cloud Computing

Software-defined networking, which replaces traditional network hardware with software, is the latest technology buzz. But what potential does it have for government?
November 18, 2013

Communication Tools Make Monterey’s CERT Self-Sufficient

Radio system allows Monterey, Calif., CERT members to report damage assessments and keep the EOC directly in contact with different neighborhoods.
July 31, 2013

Governments Turn to the Cloud to Manage Apps

More government agencies are migrating major applications to the cloud, a move that offers multiple benefits. But some suggest caution.

June 10, 2013

Presidential Innovation Fellows Get Private and Public Sectors to Collaborate

The Presidential Innovation Fellows program combines the mass of the federal government with the velocity of cutting-edge innovators. What’s been accomplished since the program launched?

January 4, 2013

Finding the Next Facebook

Five up-and-coming social media sites and applications government should keep an eye on.
November 2, 2012

Can Technology 'Cure' Health Care’s Future?

Though the future of health care is cloudy given the many changes that will take place over the next several years, it's clear that technology will play a vital role in making the system more sustainable.
October 3, 2012

Governments Expand Mobile Payments to Everything from Parking to Property Taxes

Statistics say mobile payments may soon replace credit cards and cash. Will government ride the mobile payment wave?
August 23, 2012

Governments Take a Lean Startup Approach

Can government act more like Silicon Valley when developing applications or services?

August 2, 2012

Are Government Kiosks Making a Comeback?

Left for dead after the rise of the Internet, kiosks are returning to government offices to augment recession-thinned staff.
June 15, 2012

Federal Crowdsourcing May Solve Problems Fast

A rise in the use of crowdsourcing by federal agencies may lead to faster solutions to perplexing challenges. But in order to reap the benefits, it has to be done correctly.

May 31, 2012

Cities Aim to Slash 311 Costs Without Affecting Services

Budget belt-tightening has put the cost of 311 calls under a microscope. And while few cities would contemplate pulling the plug on these popular systems, many are looking for ways to rein in expenses.

February 17, 2012

Consistent Federal IT Rules May Ease State and Local Cloud Adoption

Officials say FedRAMP will launch this year, removing a key obstacle to federal cloud adoption — and states may benefit too.

November 8, 2011

5 Government Procurement Practices That Stifle Innovation

How agencies are stamping out the deal breakers that hinder big technology projects.
January 2, 2006

A New Weapon

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania uses technology to identify and target criminals.
November 4, 2005

Affordable Option

Indiana finds open source software is key to making one-to-one student/computer initiative a reality.
April 27, 2005

Reaching Out

The All Alert system will replace the old method of distributing emergency warnings to the public.
January 26, 2005

To the Rescue

Montgomery County, Md., used GIS and other applications to reinvent and improve its Emergency Operations Center.
December 2, 2004

Back in Business

A consortium of cities works to improve economic development efforts in Washington.
December 2, 2004

Cashing In

The Virginia Department of Transportation turns its Right of Way and Utilities Management System into a revenue-generating product.
November 1, 2004

Watching You Work

Napa County, Calif., improves internal accountability using work force performance statistics.
September 2, 2004

Looking for Answers

Computerized grading helps Indiana cut cost of statewide essay tests.
July 9, 2004

Sign on the Digital Line

Indiana delivers digitally certified driver records to county prosecutors.
June 3, 2004

Taking the Stage

San Diego Futures Foundation puts retired computers back to work in the community.
March 29, 2004

A Face in the Crowd

Maricopa County, Ariz., tests facial recognition technology in schools to identify missing children.
March 26, 2004

The Rise of the GIS Director

More state and local jurisdictions appoint GIS directors to oversee GIS at the enterprise level.
March 2, 2004

Prevention is the Best Medicine

Syndromic surveillance system helps New York City detect and respond to disease outbreaks more rapidly.
February 4, 2004

Do-It-Yourself Kiosks

New York City's Department of Probation replaced their expensive kiosks with cheaper, more effective ones.
February 3, 2004

Introducing Innovation

The New York City Housing Authority implemented a rigorous and disciplined project management approach to guide IT projects.
January 6, 2004

Utah Means Business

Registering a new business in Utah now takes hours rather than months.
December 4, 2003

Opening the Doors of Justice

Colorado pilots the first pro se e-filing system for low-income citizens.
October 28, 2003

Packing Lightly

Seattle works to reduce the amount of packaging it receives with each new PC.
October 13, 2003

Safety by Satellite

With security issues on the rise, several schools use GPS to track students.
September 3, 2003

Saving the Urban Forest

Cities turn to GIS and other technologies to help track and maintain their greenery.
July 29, 2003

Connecting Country Roads

The environment may finally be right for rapid broadband deployment in rural areas.
June 27, 2003

E-Cycling

A new method of CRT recycling may revolutionize the difficult process.
May 21, 2003

Red Light, Green Light

Virginia's new Dashboard system instantly shows the status of state transportation projects.
April 22, 2003

COMPASS Finds the Way

COMPASS is quickly becoming the single access point for all Pennsylvania social service programs.
April 22, 2003

Let Your Fingers Do the Talking

Hiring new school employees in Florida is faster thanks to a new statewide digital fingerprinting system.
April 4, 2003

Affordable Academy

Virginia takes project management into its own hands.
January 29, 2003

Breaking New Ground

The No Child Left Behind Act means huge changes in school data collection and reporting; some states are making diverse systems work together.
December 20, 2002

Positive ID

North Carolina identity management system improves security, saves money and promotes citizen self-service.
October 31, 2002

Connected in Kentucky

Wireless broadband proves key to city's revitalization.
September 24, 2002

Slipping Through Electronic Cracks

Nation's first State Government Digital Archives stops electronic history from vanishing.