This work, led by @waldo.net, did not get enough attention. I keep bringing it up to state IT officials and some of them still don't know about it. It's a low-tech, common-sense solution to a major problem in state government: statescoop.com/summary-shee...

[email protected]'s next Public Sector Job Board is up! Lots of great jobs at the state and local level. publicsectorjobboard.substack.com/p/april-14-2...

My @usdigitalresponse.org colleague @waldo.net is presenting tomorrow with one of our volunteers to @innovateus.bsky.social on Making Tech Procurement Easier: A Simple Tool to Improve Government Solicitations April 15, 2 pm ET. Learn why many public sector tech solicitations are hard to navigate

Hi! @usdigitalresponse.org just published a blog post on language access in unemployment insurance systems featuring the personal experience of a former colleague helping her Spanish-speaking mother navigate UI benefits during the pandemic. www.usdigitalresponse.org/resources/th...

I’m happy to talk. [email protected] U.S. Digital Response is basically 18F as a non-profit, founded by 18F and USDS alumni. If we had funding, we’d hire 18Fers immediately and get into the consulting business. Our ~$6M annual budget doesn’t allow us to grow that fast.

Thanks to the support of the Knight Foundation, USDR is hiring a unique role —we are seeking someone *who has recently exited the Federal government* to lead our Generative AI portfolio. us-digital-response.breezy.hr/p/2c75788aae...

Hello week 2 of tax filing season! 💥 Direct File is live and you can now import your tax information directly from the IRS. Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more. 👏

Something we said a bunch in the early days at @usdigitalresponse.org, in March 2020, was "no one is coming, there is only us." Seems like we should all internalize that about our present situation.

A group of nonprofits and unions have created Civil Service Strong with resources for public servants — great site that is being regularly updated. www.civilservicestrong.org

E pluribus unum

Really appreciating/using all the great documentation the Biden administration has in their archive on improving the experience of people who need disaster assistance. bidenadministration.archives.performance.gov/cx/life-expe...

Quick resources from Technologists for the Public Good if you're expecting to unexpectedly leave Federal public service. community.publicgood.tech/c/resources/...

I think maybe the greatest benefit of work experience in government is that you learn how to get something done on the most complex problems, in the most complex organizations with (oftentimes) the most difficult people. So any work experience after that feels much simpler, smoother, unstoppable… ✨

I hope this email finds you interesting, and, in a moment of weakness, you’re going to go for it.

Check out this job opportunity for a Government UX Research Engagement Manager with a great team at USDR!

May you all be the keeper of the flame.

Over the past two years, we’ve been building @digitalbenefits.bsky.social to support accessible, effective, and equitable digital delivery of public benefits. I feel so lucky to work with people across the country in this mission. Here's to 2025! digitalgovernmenthub.org/publications...

Love UX research & making government services actually work for people? We're hiring a Government UX Research Engagement Manager on my team at U.S. Digital Response. Apply here and/or share! us-digital-response.breezy.hr/p/79a18ec958...

The State of Maryland Digital team, aka Maryland Digital Service, is 1 year in. Another inspiring team focusing on the right/hard problems to make government work better for all: lnkd.in/gfQbRZFp

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's digital team, AKA CODE PA, is 2 years into its journey. Check out all they've accomplished! They are a government that's doing it right. www.pa.gov/governor/new...

At the top of the Colorado Governor's Operational Agenda is (1) Digital Government and (2) Transforming Customer Experience. This is a big deal! operations.colorado.gov/the-governor...

Yep. Felt that.

Love it when the #civictech ecosystem comes together. Proud that U.S. Digital Response was able to help build this tool to help exiting Federal workers continue in public service. www.governing.com/workforce/ne...

Love this one! USDR supported Hennepin County through coaching and internal change management during their complex website transition and rebranding. Here's a case study: www.usdigitalresponse.org/resources/co...

hello, please send Jane your thoughtful, skilled, & civic-minded AI friends! (I worked very closely with Jane for the last 2 1/2 years & can vouch for her kindness, knowledge, & general *bestness*) great opportunity to help SF!!

California is now offering families a huge e-bike voucher of up to $2,000, with the min offer of $1,750! Income qualified, 300% FPL so a family of four making under $110,000 annually qualifies. Income limit for single adults is $45k. www.ebikeincentives.org/eligible-e-b...

My super cool colleague Rebecca scours the internet for interesting jobs in the public sector & posts them on her #PublicSectorJobBoard. If you're curious about jobs in government, follow her: bsky.app/profile/kdyz...

If I have truly never heard of the band and their music that is my #1 artist on Spotify Wrapped, does this mean my account has been hacked? Asking for me.

Just started reading this at lunch (Alaska is 4 hours earlier than East Coast) and it so cool! Thanks US Digital Response and State of New Jersey for this amazing research and work and for sharing it openly for other states and cities to leverage and remix!

USDR released a no-code approach & free toolkit to help governments train gen AI with human-centered data to more quickly translate benefits delivery content. So proud to collaborate with the State of NJ & Google.org on this work!! www.usdigitalresponse.org/resources/so...

Day 1 of moving back to SF and just felt an earthquake. Feels like a welcome home greeting from Mother Nature! 🥰

(Re-)Introducing SF Civic Tech! Learn more about what's been going on with our organization over the past two years, and join us in helping to craft its future! #civictech www.sfcivictech.org/blog/2024-10...

hi, I'm hiring a new right-hand person at work! are you great at administration, a web & data advocate with practical experience, a strong mentor & manager & all around wonderful teammate with a desire to make SF's digital ~things~ better for people? come work with me! careers.sf.gov/role?id=3743...

It’s been 5 years since I left SF city government. I am still pretty proud of my team for their farewell cake featuring my “bureauCat” Halloween costume. “Once a bureaucat, always a bureaucat”

Saying, "We need these institutions to face the 21st century," is different than saying, "The way they run today is OK," @pahlkadot.bsky.social tells @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/o...

Two days of a ton of rain is reminding me to pop on over to one of my favorite government websites: California's Major Water Supply Reservoirs. Looks like we're generally at about 'historical average' levels for this day of the year. cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/Resco...

THIS IS REALLY BIG NEWS!!!!! Today, OIRA published guidance to help agencies understand how to conduct usability testing in a timely & effective manner consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This makes it MUCH EASIER for the Federal govt to do user research. www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...

First starter pack. I assembled a collection of innovation / data professionals who work / have worked in and around municipal government. Let it be a reminder that there are talented, passionate people working to make communities better. go.bsky.app/2F5V9bS

Something I remember repeating to myself during my work on pandemic response at the State of CA: BE A PERSON THAT SOLVES MORE PROBLEMS THAN YOU CREATE. It's kinda obvious but it's a good way to constantly reflect on how you're showing up in any situation.

👋 Government folk! Say, are you looking to recruit & retain technology talent in your government? U.S. Digital Response's Talent Toolkit is an awesome/free resource - jam packed with templates to improve hiring manager and candidate experience. usdr.gitbook.io/talent-toolkit

“Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position but certainty is an absurd one.” Voltaire

When in the course of human events...

A mantra that’s been helpful to me lately: ✨ whatever blocks the path is the path ✨

My team put together a starter pack for folks interested in our space 👇🏽

Also, which of my #civictech and #humanedesign friends are on this site?

California is pretty.

One of the more important lessons I learned while working in government: The rules are made by humans, and can be changed by humans.

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anaïs Nin

Maybe I’ll make this a wildflower spotting account? Stumbled upon the elusive Desert Five Spot in Death Valley. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eremalche_rotundifolia