The National Performance Review (NPR), for example, outlined key areas where cooperation among federal, state and local governments would improve efficiency and service. As NPR moved into the next phase, groups were formed to assist in implementation
GITS The Government Information Technology Services (GITS) Working Group is an inter-agency group focused on implementing 13 major information technology projects. GITS - headed by Jim Flyzick - is responsible for overseeing such projects as Nationwide Integrated Electronics Benefits Transfer (EBT); Integrated Access to Government Services; Intergovernmental Tax Filing; Reporting and Payments Processing; and a National Environmental Data Index
NPR estimated that over a five-year period, the 13 projects could save as much as $300 million
GITS also created the Customer Service Improvement Team (CSIT) to focus on making government more accessible and user-friendly through "one-stop shopping" and "24-hour government." And in November 1994, GITS formed the Intergovernmental Enterprise Panel (IEP), exclusively focused on improving the success and penetration rate of intergovernmental information technology solutions
Intergovernmental Enterprise Panel The IEP's mission includes helping to improve both internal government operations as well as external service delivery to citizens. IEP will use measurable objectives to evaluate its effectiveness. IEP co-chairs are Costis Toregas of Public Technology Inc., who represents local government; Sam Ewell of the Treasury Department, representing the federal government; and Phil Smith, director of federal/state relations for the state of Iowa, who represents state government
IEP's initial goals include developing a "template" for the intergovernmental enterprise for use by state and local jurisdictions. A second goal is to improve communication about successful cooperative information technology solutions
IEP's third goal is to identify obstacles which impede the potential progress of intergovernmental solutions and then work toward their resolution. For instance, once the panel has selected a number of intergovernmental IT initiatives to support, it will work with all involved decision-makers and influencers to ensure its success. The group will use its independent status to create forums for discussion and problem resolution which involve several different levels of participants: executive, legislative, state, federal, etc
EBT One potentially successful intergovernmental information technology solution is the implementation of a national, integrated EBT system. The U.S. Treasury Department initiated the Invitation to Express Interest (IEI) process for the Southern Alliance of States prototype (Government Technology June). Although the IEI process has been stalled, EBT remains one of the major opportunities for intergovernmental service delivery
PARTICIPANTS As an intergovernmental panel, IEP participants span all levels of government and the private sector. Federal members of IEP include CSIT, General Accounting Office, General Services Administration, GITS, Human Services, NPR, Office of Management and Budget, Social Security, and the U.S. Treasury Department
State and local association members of IEP include the Council of State Governments; National Association of State Auditors, Controllers and Treasurers; National Association of State Information Resource Executives; and Public Technology Inc. The individual participants from states and localities typically have executive, legislative, or intergovernmental relations backgrounds. In addition, IEP has encouraged private industry involvement through established associations willing to work with the panel in pursuit of its mission
As the IEP has only recently begun its efforts, the opportunity to become involved still exists. In addition, the panel is searching for operational intergovernmental information technology projects to support. In both cases, state and local government participation is encouraged
Human Services While all of the major focus given to the Human Services area today seems to surround block grants and welfare reform initiatives, the Feds have been quietly working with the states to improve the Advanced Planning Document (APD) process
A working group which included the American Public Welfare Association; National State Information Resource Executives; and federal participants from the Administration for Children and Families; Food and Nutrition Services; and Health Care Finance Administration began working together two years ago. The group's goal was to develop modifications in the APD process which would decrease the length of the process for greater state flexibility, allow for more innovation and maintain some federal oversight
Working together, these three communities of interest were able to work toward an intergovernmental approach to Health and Human services delivery
Initial progress was made in regular operating procedures and last year the working group went back to focus on long term, and more significant, modifications to the APD process which are still under consideration
However, the working group has since turned its immediate attention to determine how IT project funding and procurement will change in a block-grant environment
For more information on how to get involved, contact Samuel Ewell at 202/622-1557. Fax 202/622-1595. E-mail: sam.ewell@treas.sprint.com
