Health and Community Services

The Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers of 2013

February 27, 2012 - Government Technology’s Top 25 honors innovators in the public sector.

10 More States Get Funding for Health Insurance Exchanges

February 22, 2012 - An “innovation waiver” process also is finalized for states that want to take alternative approaches to the Affordable Care Act.

Free Condoms App Upgraded in NYC

February 14, 2012 - New York City’s Health Department gave a very special gift to the public before Valentine’s Day.

Obama’s Budget Cuts Fed IT by $586 Million

February 13, 2012 - The administration’s proposed budget tightens the proverbial belt around technology expenditures, as Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel further encourages agencies to do more with less.

New Orleans Looks Online to Combat Blight

February 10, 2012 - With help from Code for America, The Big Easy will develop a website that helps residents report on blighted areas of the city.

4 Strange Vending Machines in the Public Sector

February 9, 2012 - The weird and sometimes controversial items dispensed on public premises.

Raleigh, N.C., Program Makes Teens Tech Gurus

February 9, 2012 - Digital literacy program teaches teens and young adults the skills necessary to use technology and teach others in their community about it.

Public Libraries Adding Language Learning Software

February 6, 2012 - Software for learning to speak a foreign language helps patrons and staff at the Wayne County, N.C., Public Library.

Ideas for Better Voting Accessibility Sought

February 6, 2012 - Online competition asks participants for creative ideas on how to make voting more accessible, particularly for those with disabilities.

American Idol’s Impact

January 31, 2012 - Few events impact the AT&T network like the final episode of American Idol. Network traffic essentially doubles when viewers vote for the annual winner of Fox TV’s popular singing contest.

Northeast Blackout Sends Call Volume Spiking

January 31, 2012 - In 2003, a problem with the electric grid interrupted electric service to an estimated 45 million people in eight U.S. states. The power outage struck around 4:10 p.m. on Aug. 14. Records from that date show an almost instantaneous jump in traffic on the

Alabama School District to Track Student Bus Riders

January 26, 2012 - Huntsville City Schools is launching a pilot program that keeps tabs on student bus use.

Health Insurance Exchanges — Which States Are Progressing?

January 18, 2012 - A majority of states are making progress on websites for choosing insurance ahead of 2014 deadline, administration says.

Storm Puts Chicago’s New Snowplow Tracker to Test

January 18, 2012 - City government got a record amount of Web traffic when real-time map debuted.

N.J. Agencies Turn to Needleless Injectors for Flu Vaccinations

January 12, 2012 - With flu season well under way, people no longer have to get their skin pricked.

Doctors Older Than 50 Don’t See Benefits of Health IT, Survey Says

January 12, 2012 - New survey reveals that doctors agree on top health IT benefits, but a generational divide exists.

New Applications Help Patients, Doctors Battle Cancer

January 9, 2012 - Apps submitted for fed challenge took a broad range of health data and made it meaningful.

Skype Makes Business Personal in Frederick County, Md.

January 5, 2012 - Video-conferencing technology is allowing county staff and contractors to get construction permits issued more efficiently.

Bear Necessities

December 21, 2011 - Idaho Department of Fish and Game relaunches website to include bear identification program with training and exams.

Texas Rolls Out TIERS Eligibility System After 8-Year Transition

December 20, 2011 - Texas’ food stamp, Medicaid, employment training and other systems up and running statewide after an eight-year stall.