Civic Tech

Plus, Michigan announces $15.3 million boost to grants for projects that improve resident connectivity, San Jose, Calif., launches a community-built platform to connect youth with mental health services, and more.

Plus, Columbus, Ohio, announces a partnership aimed at collecting data on gun violence throughout the city, and Pittsburgh, Pa., launches a new "Universal Basic Mobility" pilot program for low-income residents.

State and local government innovation offices are neither ubiquitous nor standardized. GT talked to veterans of four such agencies to get insight on best practices, lessons learned and what’s ahead.

Plus, Ohio state technologists collaborate to build a new tool aimed at connecting job seekers with employers and Virginia unveils plans to funnel $11.1 million into workforce tech projects.

Google said it is trying to help combat the hunger crisis that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout, doing so with the launch of a new site called “Find Food Support.”

Code for America launched a new resource to help families that are eligible for a child tax credit navigate the myriad complexities of the U.S. tax system. The tool is especially designed for those without much tax history.

Plus, Chicago expands its education-focused digital equity program; Louisiana invests $180 million in expanding broadband infrastructure for underserved communities; and Boston launches a neighborhood database search.

Plus, Philadelphia launches new cross-sector household Internet assessment survey, Ohio has built a distracted driving dashboard, and Los Angeles is working to help young people impacted by the digital divide.

Plus, a new online platform tracks health disparities across the country, a study in Kansas is the latest regional effort to obtain more precise broadband data and new data details equity gaps related to public parks.

Plus, Dayton, Ohio, rolls out a police transparency portal for public info; Howard County, Md., announces a new robust digital equity initiative; and a Florida sheriff’s office deploys tech to find wandering seniors.

Citizen data scientists documenting algae and water conditions from their docks at Lake Wallenpaupack will play a key role in a community-led water quality monitoring program, officials have said.

Plus, Virginia launches a statewide public health equity dashboard, data from Yelp shows the impact of car-free streets in communities, Alabama launches new centralized COVID-19 response app, and more.

A Johnson C. Smith University project will give individuals a view into the destruction of historical Black neighborhoods of Charlotte, N.C., through virtual reality tech. The project is expected to be completed in 2022.

The startup has made a name for itself with software that reminds defendants of court dates so they don't get hit with penalties for failing to appear. Now the company is expanding into more of the justice process.

Drawing on user survey results, Utah has revamped how its official website presents services in order to reach younger generations. The state plans to offer even more services soon through its “Next Gen Citizen Portal.”

Plus, this week Code for America holds its annual summit event, Boston’s Digital Team shares case study giving transparency to its work, a map charts recent American migration data, and more.

To address the diversity gaps in the state’s public- and private-sector workforce, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership has developed a strategy to help build a more inclusive tech talent pipeline.

After taking down many of its digital services due to a malware infection, the Alaska Court System is slowly putting services back on the Internet. Citizens may be able to make online payments again early next week.