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SCP 203: Exploring Specialty Camps (Part 2)

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES In the second installment of their discussion on specialty camp ideas, Curt and Chris share an array of unique camp themes, drawing from both their personal experiences and broader trends. They delve into a variety of specialized camp options, including cooking, survival, archery, scuba diving, music production, detective camp, and fitness camps, among […] The post SCP 203: Exploring Specialty Camps (Part 2) first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

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NLC and Cities Win on Lead Pipe Replacement

NLC (National League of Cities)

President Joe Biden, speaking at the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional Cities Conference, touted the achievement of providing funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to replace lead pipes in communities across the country, including private-side lead pipes on personal property that connect to homes.

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Federal Government Made $236 billion “Improper Payments” Last Fiscal Year

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The federal government reported an estimated $236 billion in “improper payments” during the most recently completed fiscal year (FY 2023). Such payments are essentially payment errors that can be the result of many things—include overpayments.

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How to balance Accessibility and Security in an AI world

Microsoft Public Sector

With the recent announcements around Copilot, especially Copilot for Microsoft 365, many agencies are excited to adopt the new capabilities and unlock user productivity and accessibility. However, there is one lingering question that has always and continues to be in the background: “How to balance accessibility, productivity and security in an AI world.

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The Ultimate Playground Inspection Handbook

Dive into the world of playground safety with this complimentary guide. It offers a detailed exploration of essential practices to ensure the utmost safety for children. Delve into inspection techniques, from assessing equipment conditions to evaluating surfacing materials. Gain insights into maintenance strategies to keep playgrounds in top-notch condition year-round.

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Rebuilding the collapsed Baltimore bridge will be a ‘FAR bigger challenge’

GCN

While recent bridge replacements have been completed in a matter of weeks, this incident will be tougher to recover from and have wider impacts.

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SCP 202: Exploring Specialty Camps (Part 1)

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES In part one, Curt and Chris delve into the world of specialty camps and their significance in offering targeted experiences beyond traditional camping. They discuss the evolution and variety of specialty camps, from music and equestrian camps to coding, robotics, and even escape room camps, highlighting the unique opportunities these provide for children […] The post SCP 202: Exploring Specialty Camps (Part 1) first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

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March 2024 - Microsoft 365 US Public Sector Roadmap Newsletter

Microsoft Public Sector

Release News Teams Deprecating the ability to view websites inside the Website tabs in the new Teams Upgrades to importing a schedule in the Shifts app - GCC Optimize screen sharing for video – GCC March, GCCH & DoD April Viva Viva Topics will be retired as Microsoft focuses our efforts on building new knowledge and content experiences in Microsoft Copilot SharePoint Online List owners and collaborators with the permission to edit the list will be able to collect information on their lists w

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New Florida law bans kids under 14 from social media

GCN

It is the latest in a series of efforts by states to regulate social media in a way that protects minors and stands up to legal challenges. But opponents say Florida’s law still runs afoul of the First Amendment.

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Supreme Court Issues Important Decision Impacting Elected Officials and Use of Social Media

NLC (National League of Cities)

By Amanda Karras, Executive Director, International Municipal Lawyers Association, and Stephanie Martinez-Ruckman, Legislative Director, Human Development, National League of Cities On March 15th, in Lindke v. Freed, the Supreme Court established the test for when local government officials are considered “state actors” for the purposes of the First Amendment when they post on social media.

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What’s the Status of U.S. Assistance to Ukraine? Our First Reports on Oversight Efforts

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The war in Ukraine has had devastating consequences—creating a humanitarian crisis, threatening Ukraine’s democracy, and exacerbating global challenges, such as food insecurity. Congress has approved $113 billion in response to the Ukraine crisis.

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7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

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Scaling gen AI in banking: Choosing the best operating model

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Generative AI is transforming financial services, offering opportunities for efficiency and innovation. As banks race to deploy gen AI, the right operating model can help unlock its potential.

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States Improve Unemployment Insurance Systems with Cloud Solutions

State Tech Magazine

Anyone in Wyoming who’s applied for unemployment benefits is familiar with the state’s Department of Workforce Services. What they may not realize: The unemployment insurance system through which claims are filed does not run on infrastructure at DWS headquarters in Cheyenne but on an offsite Microsoft Azure Government data center. The DWS moved its UI system to the cloud in 2018 using federal funding from the U.S.

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One city's long and historic lawsuit against the gun industry appears to have met its end

GCN

After surviving 25 years of appeals, Gary, Indiana's efforts to hold firearm manufacturers responsible for illegal gun sales is likely over after the governor signed a bill aimed at extinguishing the suit.

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Women’s History Month 2024: Celebrating the Success of Women in Municipal Government 

NLC (National League of Cities)

By Yvette Colbourne, Commissioner, City of Miramar, Florida President, NLC Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) This year’s Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) luncheon, held during our Congressional City Conference (CCC) in Washington, D.C., was especially memorable as the sold-out room welcomed keynote speaker Ayesha Rascoe, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday.

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ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

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Strengthening Federal Cybersecurity: CISA, Zero Trust, and Google Workspace: Exclusive Sessions at Next ‘24

Google Public Sector

The Federal IT landscape is undergoing a rapid shift toward stronger cybersecurity, driven by CISA's Zero Trust Maturity Model v2.0. This model offers a roadmap for federal agencies to boost their cyber posture. For government agencies, selecting the right tools to navigate this transformation is paramount. Google Workspace enters the picture with its robust security capabilities, designed to meet the demanding compliance requirements of federal agencies.

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Driving innovation with generative AI

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Companies with innovation cultures are way ahead of peers in deploying—and benefiting from—generative AI.

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What’s It Like To Promote a Library With a Non-Circulating Collection? Marketer at a Cultural Institution Takes Us Behind the Scenes

Super Library Marketing

Photo courtesy Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Growing up in Columbia, Missouri, Lili Pangborn visited her local library nearly every day after school. “The library staff quickly began to recognize me,” recalls Lili. “They would offer to help me with homework or chat about whatever books I was reading at the time. I feel like this willingness to help others is common among library staff; libraries truly are a special place for community collaboration!

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How New Jersey’s new affordable housing law aims to ease the housing crisis

GCN

The new law lets municipalities know exactly how much affordable housing they have to build. It’s an approach that states are increasingly trying in an effort to pressure local governments to increase affordable options.

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Sustainable Facility Maintenance Management for Small Local Governments

Unlock the potential of sustainable facility management! This guide empowers small local governments to lead with climate-resilient infrastructure, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and more. Elevate your community's resilience, reduce costs, and embrace eco-friendly practices. Discover the role of facility maintenance teams in green cleaning, sustainability analyses, and infrastructure upgrades.

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The Sun is Going Away! How Municipalities are Preparing for the 2024 Solar Eclipse

NLC (National League of Cities)

This year, on April 8, a total solar eclipse will directly pass over several states from Texas to Maine, impacting an estimated 31.6 million residents.

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Five Principles for a New 421-a Property Tax Exemption

The Stoop (NYU Furman Center)

A property tax exemption in New York City is necessary to make rental housing development financially feasible across the city’s varied markets, according to a new policy brief by the NYU Furman Center. Without an exemption, the costs associated with development, which are further exacerbated by high property taxes, would significantly hinder new rental development, especially of mixed-income developments that can provide new housing options for lower-income families.

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How playing offense on sustainability can power e-commerce performance

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Marketplaces that attract more demand for their sustainable product lines also decarbonize faster and perform better. Offering green features is key to having the biggest impact on decision making.

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Smithsonian’s Digitization Program Captures and Preserves Delicate Treasures

FedTech Magazine

The Smithsonian Institution’s massive collection includes items too fragile to put on display or so complex that they’re difficult for scientists to study. Its Digitization Program Office takes these objects and creates 3D scans that preserve them for history, research and outreach to people who may not be able to visit the Washington, D.C., museums.

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Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance: Making the Case for Preparedness

Discover comprehensive strategies for optimizing operations and achieving cost efficiency! This document offers insights into efficient inspections, data-driven decision-making, goal alignment, and resource optimization. It empowers local governments and maintenance departments to streamline operations and ensure significant cost savings. From aligning maintenance goals with community needs to leveraging data for strategic planning, this guide provides a roadmap for smoother, more reliable opera

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Survey: Few states have ‘established’ privacy program

GCN

As states race to protect Americans’ data, the number of chief privacy officers has increased in state government. Still, a majority reported in a recent survey that they are building their programs.

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How Technology Can Support State and Local Agencies Striving for Sustainability

State Tech Magazine

Environmental sustainability is an exciting and challenging opportunity for state and local government agencies. Actively supporting sustainability initiatives gives governments the chance to participate in the environmentally conscious actions their communities want, while supporting their public lands. And recent research from Indeed shows that constituents and employees are increasingly demanding responsible sustainability practices.

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Celebrating women leaders: A Q&A with the CEO of Australia’s Digital Health Agency

AWS Public Sector Blog

In honour of Women’s History Month, Amazon Web Services (AWS) celebrates female leaders who inspire and empower women and girls in STEM. Their stories demonstrate technical excellence, leadership, collaboration, and mentorship – values that create an inclusive culture where all can thrive. The United Nations’ (UN) theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was “ Invest in women: Accelerate progress.

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The McKinsey Crossword: And Others | No. 173

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Sharpen your problem-solving skills the McKinsey way, with our weekly crossword. Each puzzle is created with the McKinsey audience in mind, and includes a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) business theme for you to find. Answers that are directionally correct may not cut it if you’re looking for a quick win.

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Facility Maintenance Trends for 2024: What's Changing in the Industry?

This comprehensive article delves into the transformative trends reshaping local government facility maintenance in anticipation of 2024. From embracing smart technology for efficient management, sustainability's pivotal role to data-driven decision-making, workforce upskilling, and predictive maintenance strategies, each aspect is explored. Insights into outsourcing collaborations, digital twins, safety enhancements, and the broader industry evolution highlight the critical adaptation needed.

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Transform Training With AI

GovLoop

Artificial intelligence (AI) may soon revolutionize the way government does business, but it can be hard for agencies to know where to begin. They need down-to-earth, practical applications that can be adopted easily and show an immediate return on investment. Microsoft Federal has used AI internally to make its compliance training more engaging and effective.

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Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery to honor victims of slavery

GCN

The park features sculptures and wall with 122,000 surnames of the 4.7 million people formerly enslaved recorded in the 1870 Census.

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NASCIO Calls for States to Implement Data Literacy Programs

State Tech Magazine

State CIOs should develop and implement state government data literacy programs, recommends the National Association of State Chief Information Officers in a recent report, which outlines steps to get started. NASCIO points to the Indiana state government, which notes, “Our ability to read, analyze, create and talk about data is our data literacy.” “Every state employee must have a certain minimum level of understanding of data, data quality, an ability to analyze data and gain insights from tha

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How using cloud technology can help your organization meet sustainability goals

AWS Public Sector Blog

The right cloud technology leads to more sustainable IT and business operations. As a foundation for innovation, the cloud supports the delivery of sustainable products, services, and business models, and gives organizations the opportunity to transform themselves with sustainability at the core of their operation. Technology and sustainability were among the top 10 priorities of CEOs in 2023, according to Gartner.

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Efficiency and Sustainability: Leveraging Digital Solutions in Facility Operations

Speaker: Alan Kavanaugh, BA, CRM, CCPI ​​​​​​​Director of Loss Control & Risk Management

This session is designed to unveil the transformative potential of digital solutions in reshaping conventional practices, offering a roadmap towards greener and more efficient facilities regardless of municipality size. Attendees will learn: Insights into cutting-edge trends and strategies in sustainable facility management. Practical knowledge to effectively incorporate digital solutions for operational efficiency.