April, 2024

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New Houston mayor reverses course on bike, pedestrian improvements

GCN

Mayor John Whitmire ordered pedestrian islands removed, froze projects with bike lanes and suggested cyclists stick to “recreational” trails. It’s a big change in direction from his predecessor’s approach.

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Big Day for NLC and Municipal Governments: Final Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Grants Guidance Released

NLC (National League of Cities)

Last week, the White House announced the final Office of Management and Budget (OMB) UniformGrants Guidance. This guidance is designed to create a streamlined set of rules and regulations forfederal grants that ensure that Congress, agencies, and applicants have standard language andprocesses for grant awards and administration.

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Feds move to make gov websites more accessible to people with disabilities

GCN

It’s the first time the federal government has ever issued rules clarifying how the more than 30-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act applies online. But the new rules come with a hefty price tag for state and local governments.

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How DOD Can Maintain Zero-Trust Momentum

FedTech Magazine

The Department of Defense reports strong momentum toward meeting its goal of implementing a zero-trust security architecture departmentwide by 2027. DOD’s Zero Trust Portfolio Management Office recently approved implementation plans from all military components. One key takeaway from this milestone moment: Agencies that leveraged commercial solutions got a big head start on their zero-trust efforts.

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Overcoming Operational Challenges in Parks & Recreation

Speaker: Noratek

Maintaining parks and recreation facilities efficiently is no easy task, especially when faced with scheduling issues, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent inspections. Join us for this insightful webinar where we explore the most common challenges departments like yours are facing and how digital tools like CityReporter can help you streamline operations, ensure safety, and make better use of your resources.

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Extreme Connect 2024: Agencies Can Use Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity Outdoors

State Tech Magazine

In a recent video interview, Jose J. Peña, IT director for the city of Pharr, Texas, said that the enhanced capabilities of Extreme Networks infrastructure ensures that the city can continue to innovate. “We have been doing public Wi-Fi and video surveillance in our city parks for several years now, and this just helps us,” Peña said in an Extreme Networks online presentation.

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Ep 34: Elevating Staff Training at Camp

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES This episode dives into the transformative approaches Kelie and Shauna are implementing for staff training at their respective camps. From reinventing traditional methods to integrating dynamic activities. The conversation reflects on past experiences, anticipates future challenges, and explores strategies to enhance the camp experience for both staff and campers, highlighting the importance of […] The post Ep 34: Elevating Staff Training at Camp first appeared on Summer Camp Pr

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Lack of Sleep Has Left Our Military Less Combat Ready and More Prone to Accidents with Dire Consequences

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

Lack of sleep among active duty service members has led to fatal accidents and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to ships, vehicles, and aircraft. Many service members reported slower reflexes and responses, lower cognitive function, and.

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It’s FAFSA Week of Action: Time to Take a #FAFSAFastBreak!

Homeroom

It’s FAFSA Week of Action (April 15-19) and to kick off the effort the U.S. Department of Education is thrilled to announce the launch our #FAFSAFastBreak campaign, a national effort to drive FAFSA submissions among high school seniors and returning college students. Everyone has an important role to play! We have already received nearly 200 Continue Reading The post It’s FAFSA Week of Action: Time to Take a #FAFSAFastBreak!

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2022 was the ‘worst year ever for bicyclist deaths,’ new data shows

GCN

Safety advocates blame the upswing in cyclist deaths on larger, more powerful vehicles that have become more common on American roads in the last decade.

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Build a personalized student companion powered by generative AI on Amazon Bedrock

AWS Public Sector Blog

Personalized learning is a pressing challenge in modern education due to the diverse learning needs of students and the limited resources available to educators. Traditional methods of seeking academic support, such as one-on-one consultations or peer study groups, often fall short in providing tailored guidance and bridging knowledge gaps. Compounding these challenges is the inherent diversity of learners, each with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, rendering a one-size-fits-

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Easy to Do Business With: Why Simplifying Business Licensing Is a Best Practice

Many business license applications still can't be completed online, creating a frustrating user experience and lowering compliance. Shifting to a digital process makes it easier for staff and businesses alike. This guide covers: How to build a licensing and registration experience that works for your staff and local businesses. Why technology is your best partner for improving licensing and registration compliance.

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There Goes the Sun: NASA Upgrades Technology to Prepare for a Total Solar Eclipse

FedTech Magazine

To prepare for the total solar eclipse in 2017, NASA focused on technology that would keep its livestreams running for those who couldn’t see it in person. This time, the agency has looked at how to spend less money for even better service. About 12 million people watched the eclipse on NASA sites on Aug. 21, 2017, the first to cover much of the U.S. in more than a century.

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Consumers rule: Driving healthcare growth with a consumer-led strategy

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Consumers are increasingly discerning about where, how, and from whom they receive healthcare. Healthcare can learn from other industries how to provide an optimal end-to-end consumer experience.

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An academic story of contemporary policy and policymaking problems

Paul Cairney

Many policy concepts try to sum up the same story about modern governance: complex policy problems do not respect traditional government boundaries, and require collaborative responses across government and between governmental and non-governmental actors.

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Multilingualism, my Superpower!

Homeroom

BY: Montserrat Garibay, Assistant Deputy Secretary & Director for the Office of English Language Acquisition It was August 1992 in Austin, Texas, when I first walked into a U.S. public school. I still remember how scared and nervous I was. I didn’t speak a word of English. I recall people speaking and asking me questions Continue Reading The post Multilingualism, my Superpower!

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Empower Digital Government: Strategic Workbook for Modern Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping government interactions, bringing agencies closer to the communities they serve. However, while many have adopted new digital tools, few have implemented comprehensive strategies to maximize their benefits. Our Strategic Workbook for Modern Government offers a step-by-step guide to developing a sustainable digital strategy.

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One city takes to the streets to address extreme heat

GCN

A Los Angeles neighborhood tested the impact of an innovative cool pavement coating, and research shows it holds potential to supplement climate mitigation efforts.

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How EdTech and workforce development companies drive business success through AWS Marketplace

AWS Public Sector Blog

Educational institutions around the world seek reliable options that allow administrators, professors, teachers, and students to maintain connectivity and productivity on- or off-campus. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace provides a curated digital catalog to help institutions navigate evolving situations and quickly deploy solutions. In 2023, more than 2,000 education customers around the world subscribed to software in AWS Marketplace.

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OUR RESPONSE TO RESPONSE TIMES

Barrett & Greene

When it comes to many vital public services, including police, fire and EMS, one of the primary – and sometimes the only – performance measurement that people use is response time. On the surface this makes a lot of sense. For emergency services, particularly, every moment can spell the difference between a minor incident and a tragedy. To the general public, fast response times are real tangible evidence that they are getting good service.

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Everything you wanted to know about carbon removals but were afraid to ask

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Decarbonization has emerged as a critical tool in the fight against climate change, but it also shows promise as a means of economic acceleration across the globe. Learn how.

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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 AI Can Support Cities’ Sustainability Goals

NLC (National League of Cities)

Chatter about AI has become like the weather — talked about seemingly everywhere yet increasingly difficult to predict with absolute confidence. While the meteoric rise of generative, language-wielding platforms, like ChatGPT, are catching big media waves, many cities are already established AI enthusiasts.

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U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Lead the Way on Healthy, Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Learning

Homeroom

Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. Across the country 41 schools, 10 districts, one early learning center, and three postsecondary institutions were named. School systems across the U.S. are implementing environmental education standards, flipping the switch on solar Continue Reading The post U.S.

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FCC reinstates net neutrality rules

GCN

Commissioners voted 3-2 to revive net neutrality, which supporters said would prevent the internet from being intentionally blocked or slowed down. Opponents said the effort is unnecessary and violates the law.

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New AWS survey reveals the link between AI fluency and the next education revolution

AWS Public Sector Blog

Education leaders are eager for solutions to the difficulties facing schools across the country. With strained local resources impacting educators, it is more critical than ever for the education community to adapt and evolve to meet student needs and address challenges. Educators know that more resources can help provide personalized approaches that better address students’ individual learning needs.

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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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How to Celebrate National Park Week

GovLoop

National Park Week is April 20-28 — and there are so many ways to celebrate. Take a look at the National Park Service’s main site for National Park Week events , kicking off with waived entrance fees on Saturday, April 20. The nine-day lineup includes days for volunteering, getting to know parks staff, events for kids, and more. That’s in addition to fun and educational events that parks host throughout the year: You can find them on the NPS calendar.

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What is top of mind for dairy executives in 2024?

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

How will the US dairy industry evolve in response to growing concerns about sustainability and other issues? We conducted our sixth annual survey of dairy executives to find out.

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Securing Legacies: Strategies for Resolving Heirs’ Property Issues in Cities

NLC (National League of Cities)

By Houston City Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas In January 2024, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas invested $2 million with nonprofits and banks to educate and assist clients with heirs’ property issues, and in Atlanta, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta made $1 million heirs’ property grant funding available in 2022.

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Myth vs. Fact: Academic Advisors

Homeroom

BY: Gabriel Bermea, Visiting Scholar at The Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI) From the belief that academic advisors only handle course scheduling, to the assumption that they make all decisions for students, there are a few persistent myths about academic advisors and their responsibilities. As an academic advising researcher and former post-secondary advisor, Continue Reading The post Myth vs.

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Maximizing Municipal Budgets: Cutting Costs Without Cutting Corners

Speaker: Noratek

Join this insightful webinar on how local governments can reduce costs and optimize resources. Discover how municipalities like yours are leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, reduce operational costs, and generate lasting ROI. Key Takeaways: Learn actionable steps to reduce operational costs and increase community engagement Explore how digital tools can streamline inspections and reporting Understand the financial and operational benefits of digital management solutions Hear real-

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Emergency alert: States confront EMS shortages

GCN

Minnesota declared an “EMS emergency” last month, but it’s far from alone. An outdated approach to funding the service is largely to blame, says experts.

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UK Biobank enables medical research worldwide through vast database powered by AWS

AWS Public Sector Blog

UK Biobank is the world’s most comprehensive source of health data used for research. It houses a vast, continuously growing dataset of biological, health, and lifestyle information. From 2006–2010, UK Biobank recruited 500,000 UK citizens between the ages of 40 and 69 to supply biological samples (blood, urine, and saliva) and information about their lifestyle regularly on an ongoing basis.

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Extreme Connect 2024: Texas Officials Spotlight Cybersecurity Cooperation

State Tech Magazine

“One of our biggest challenges is tackling the whole-of-state approach to cybersecurity,” said Texas CIO Amanda Crawford in a chat with Extreme Networks Chief Marketing Officer Monica Kumar on Wednesday. Crawford and Seguin CIO Shane McDaniel addressed a sold-out audience on a very busy and productive day at Extreme Connect 2024, emphasizing that cybersecurity cooperation between levels of government remains top of mind for them, in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Why strategists should embrace imperfection

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

In a world of rapid change, looking for certainty can obscure opportunity. Taking smaller yet bold steps provides a more sure-footed path through uncertainty.

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A Guide For City Managers & CAOs to Achieve Operational Excellence

This guide addresses the unique operational challenges faced by smaller municipalities, such as limited resources, budget constraints, and diverse community needs. By leveraging digital tools, City Managers and Municipal Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) can streamline workflows, enhance communication, and improve service delivery. The guide covers identifying operational challenges, choosing the right software, and implementing digital solutions.