August, 2022

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From A Vacant, City-Owned Lot To Chicago’s First Indigenous Garden

Next City

Chicago’s Native youth are reclaiming a contaminated, city-owned lot as part of a grassroots Indigenous land restoration movement.

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Fintech in Africa: The end of the beginning

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Africa’s fintech industry is coming of age. In the face of political and economic challenges and a global pandemic, fintech on the continent is booming. Here’s what comes next.

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Trending Sources

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5 Reasons Cities Should Include Trees in Climate Action

The City Fix

Cities and communities around the world are stepping up to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prevent dangerous climate change impacts. Their strategies typically focus on reducing emissions from sectors such as transportation, energy, housing and waste. But there’s one sector many communities.

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Disaster Zone Podcast: Hurricane Andrew 30 Years Later

Disaster Zone blog

Before there was Hurricane Katrina there was Hurricane Andrew.

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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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The Importance of Academic Advising in Higher Education

Homeroom

By: Kaitlin Thach, Intern, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Communication and Outreach “The main function of an academic advisor is to bring holistic support to students as they navigate their higher education to post grad journey.” Universities and higher education institutions nationwide provide academic advising for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Education 132
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DOD Looks to Spectrum Sharing to Support 5G Efforts

FedTech Magazine

The Defense Department has been investing in 5G wireless technology for years, partnering with commercial partners to test use cases at military bases for everything from edge computing to connected vehicles, base security and more. As the DOD evolves its use of 5G technology, it is also looking to dynamic spectrum sharing technology to ensure it can continue to use both its core military systems without interference and expand its wireless offerings.

Security 128

More Trending

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Author Talks: Design your future

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Danish design experts Christian Bason and Jens Martin Skibsted say humanity needs a more expansive outlook on problem-solving—one that is less human-centered and more future-proof.

Books 137
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New Programs Available to Support Local Broadband Subsidy Enrollment

NLC (National League of Cities)

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, presents an opportunity to narrow the digital divide in many communities by providing qualified households with a $30 monthly discount on broadband service. However, enrollment in the program has lagged substantially behind the potential pool of beneficiaries.

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FY2020 Homeland Security Grant Funding

Disaster Zone blog

Taking the money means dancing to the federal tune.

Security 189
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States Take Different Approaches to Establishing Broadband Offices

State Tech Magazine

In August, The Pew Charitable Trusts updated its tracker for states that have dedicated broadband offices, task forces, agencies or funds. With this most recent update, Pew determined that all 50 states administer active broadband programs. But how they manage those programs varies widely. Some states place their broadband office inside a business or economic agency, while others house it within their technology agency.

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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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How to write an LOI that opens doors

Professional Grant Writer

LOIs, or letters of inquiry, are an important first step in the grant writing process. Often, funders ask to see this short, pre-proposal. The post How to write an LOI that opens doors appeared first on Professional Grant Writer.

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In Baltimore, Teaching STEM Through Dirt Bikes

Next City

An engineer-turned-educator says cities get it wrong when they criminalize Black youth’s hobbies, rather than seeing them as an opportunity.

Education 231
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Creating a technology risk and cyber risk appetite framework

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Here’s how to build a comprehensive, measurable, and objective end-to-end risk appetite framework as a foundation for managing technology risk and cyber risk.

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Historic Climate, Clean Energy Bill Passes Senate

NLC (National League of Cities)

On Sunday, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376) via the reconciliation process by a vote of 51-50. This action came after a surprise agreement last month between Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on climate and clean energy provisions – many of which are included in last year’s […] Source.

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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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First Yellowstone and Now Death Valley

Disaster Zone blog

Our national parks are not immune to disasters.

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These four tools could enable the future of AI in healthcare

Open Access Government - Technology News

Craig Rhodes, EMEA Industry Lead, AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences, NVIDIA, argues that just four tools could enable the future of AI in healthcare. From AI-generated synthetic brain images used for studying brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, to identifying and tracing cancer tumors to target with radiation therapy, AI in healthcare has been used by professionals across the field to help with the toughest challenges.

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The Complete List of the Most Ideal Length for Each of Your Library Promotional Tactics

Super Library Marketing

Photo courtesy Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. For many of us, a hamburger is a delicious sandwich, no matter where you get it. No one can mess them up. But there are things you can do to make your hamburger exceptional. For me, that means the addition of bacon, cheese, and avocado. I’ll still eat and thoroughly enjoy the hamburger if those ingredients aren’t available.

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A Look Backstage in the ‘Furniture Capital of the World’

Next City

Walking with residents of High Point, North Carolina as they explore the city's desolate downtown — a place made for "other eyes at other times.

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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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Freelance, side hustles, and gigs: Many more Americans have become independent workers

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Independent work is booming, the American Opportunity Survey shows. For these workers and society, the upsides and drawbacks are all part of the gig.

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Tri-Town Arts: Creativity as a New Frontier in Rural Colorado

NLC (National League of Cities)

In late 2021, arts supporters in the three towns of Genoa, Limon and Hugo, all in Lincoln County on the Eastern Plains of Colorado, came together to form Tri-Town Arts. The area is about 100 miles east of Denver and has few opportunities for arts engagement or arts education.

2021 116
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Disinformation Messaging Shifting to Food Shortages

Disaster Zone blog

Every crisis is a disinformation opportunity!

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Keys to Countering Cyberattacks Against State and Local Agencies

State Tech Magazine

As cyberattacks on critical infrastructure continue to proliferate, state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) government agencies must plan for the future while also addressing existing infrastructure security challenges. That means everything from ensuring operational technology (OT) is readily upgradeable and interoperable to coordinating information sharing across the public and private sectors.

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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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Researchers to quantify political polarization

GCN

The Polarization Research Lab will merge public opinion data from in-depth surveys with elected officials’ rhetoric to help understand both the causes and the effects of mass polarization.

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Can a Private Equity Model Build Wealth for Workers of Color?

Next City

An El Paso landscaping company is one of the first employee-ownership conversions facilitated by a new Black-led private equity fund.

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How to make ESG real

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

While ESG is likely to evolve both in substance and name in the coming years, its underlying impulse is here to say. Here’s how companies can take a more systematic and rewarding approach to ESG.

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How to Prepare Agencies for Long-Term Citizen Service Success

FedTech Magazine

The role of the federal government in citizens’ everyday lives has drastically changed over the past two years. Between the pandemic, record-breaking data breaches, ransomware attacks and the shift to virtual services, federal agencies are looking for ways to continue developing their technology services to meet changing needs. The Government Accountability Office recently released a new strategic plan that will guide efforts from 2022 to 2027 as the agency aids federal operations and addresses

2027 113
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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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Webinar: The Importance of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

Disaster Zone blog

It is another step—keeping you more secure.

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Across the Country, Local Public Safety Agencies Detail Value of FirstNet Adoption

State Tech Magazine

The First Responder Network Authority recently released an annual report to Congress for 2021, titled “A Decade of Accomplishments,” revealing the rapid adoption by first responders of its namesake dedicated public safety network. In fiscal year 2021, the FirstNet Authority reports, FirstNet adoption had spread to 18,500 public safety agencies, up from 2,500 in fiscal year 2018, its first year of widespread availability.

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Three Topics City Leaders Should Focus on to Boost Recruitment and Retention

NLC (National League of Cities)

Amidst “The Great Reshuffle / Great Resignation” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, city leaders need to take a multi-pronged approach to keep current employees and attract the next generation of public sector workers. According to a 2021 MissionSquare Research Institute survey, 52% of state and local government workers are considering leaving their organization […] Source.

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This San Francisco Supper Club Gives Youth a Chance to Reinvent Themselves

Next City

At Old Skool Café, young people whose lives have been impacted by violence, the foster care system, and incarceration are learning the ins and outs of the food business and forging new paths in the process.

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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.