Civic Tech

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers recently honored people and projects that have demonstrated innovation in technology within the public sector, and named a new president.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Family Reunification Task Force launched a website called together.gov that aims to help reunite families separated by the U.S. government at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Bethel Police Department is seeking $125,500 to upgrade the department's current computer-aided dispatch and records management system software. Among other things, the system would allow for faster ticketing.

A new SMS chatbot launched by the Mayor's Office of Food Access aims to help connect residents to resources that can help combat food insecurity. The tool is part of Boston's larger food access agenda.

Plus, a new report addresses ways the country’s largest county can get all of its citizens connected; San Jose, Calif., launches a new initiative to aid with Internet affordability; and more.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry recently launched SkillUp PA, a free virtual job training program that offers online training to bolster the commonwealth’s information technology workforce.

Worthington, Mass., is the latest town that has benefited from the Last Mile Program, which is working to bring high-speed Internet to 53 towns. Worthington's network is the result of a public-private partnership.

After last year’s worldwide protests in the wake of high-profile racial injustice within U.S. policing, community leaders have prioritized equity. And within that, an increasing number of cities are turning to tech.

Nonprofit research group RTI International and the White Cross Fire Department have teamed up to pilot augmented reality technology for firetruck pump panel training. The goal is to create a blueprint for the industry.

The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), an advocacy group, has released an online reporting tool in an effort to collect more accurate data about anti-Asian hate crimes. The data could help inform policy.

Plus, the Federal Communications Commission commits $1 billion to emergency connectivity program aimed at students, Philadelphia plans to continue its PHLDonateTech program for another year, and more.

Last spring, Arizona State University began offering a course that teaches students the essentials of coding so that they can develop mobile apps that direct low-income and homeless populations to support services.

Plus, Bloomberg Philanthropies teams with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on new federal recovery dollars partnership, and more.

Chicago and its technology partner CityBase have expanded a program offering payment kiosks throughout the city. The devices are strategically positioned to allow safe and easy access to services 24/7.

Community Solutions' unique, human-centered approach to helping local government organizations tackle the challenge of homelessness is rapidly spreading to new communities throughout the country.

Citizen surveys made gains during the pandemic, and now the Israeli startup wants to ditch paper and phone responses in favor of a totally online experience that is also statistically sound.

Plus, the U.S. Census Bureau makes its 2020 count data related to redistricting available in an easier to read format, a Los Angeles digital equity program offers a new IT certificate, and more.

The annual effort helps firms access expertise and other resources, which in turn can lead to better tools for local and state governments. Among the areas of focus are benefits programs and bodycam video management.