LEXINGTON, Ky., June 22, 2015 – State Chief Information Officer (CIO) Paul Baltzell and the Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) are the most recent state technology officials to be featured in the State CIOs Make a Difference campaign due to the profound impact the state is making in citizen lives through the use of technology and data analytics.

Over the next two weeks, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) will profile the initiatives and accomplishments of Baltzell and the IOT to bring recognition to the valuable role CIOs and information technology play in states. Baltzell and the IOT’s campaign profile will specifically highlight the research and efforts to identify a high-risk population for infant mortality in order to target intervention programs and improve survival rates among infants in the state.

“We are affecting things that really matter,” said Baltzell, “and maybe we can actually save a child’s life.”

The state’s profile will also include information on Governor Mike Pence’s Management and Performance Hub – a system that allows agencies across state government to better share and study data – as well as plans for future projects.

To learn more about Baltzell and the work of IOT, see the information sheet provided and visit the campaign website at www.nascio.org/CIOsMakeaDifference. Follow #StateCIOsRock for updates on other featured CIOs in the coming weeks.

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 28, 2015 – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) continues its State CIOs Make a Difference campaign by featuring State Chief Information Officer (CIO) Mark VanOrden and the Utah Department of Technology Services.

Over the next two weeks, NASCIO will profile the accomplishments and main areas of focus for Utah’s Department of Technology Services. The campaign will specifically highlight the success and cost savings of Utah’s portal – Utah.gov – which offers a variety of state government services online, including a mobile-first perspective for mobile device users and a number of mobile and web applications designed to provide Utah citizens with convenient access to state services and information. For more information on Utah’s work in this area, please see the information sheet provided.

“It is our goal in Utah to make it easier for our residents to interact with all levels of government by helping agencies reduce costs of services; supporting the business objectives of the agencies; providing intuitive, easy to use applications; ensuring that all of the services we provide are secure; and finally, providing open, transparent access to all public data,” said VanOrden.

The NASCIO State CIOs Make a Difference campaign emphasizes the innovative work and important role CIOs hold in both government operations and lives of citizens. To learn more about VanOrden and the work of Utah’s Department of Technology Services visit www.nascio.org/CIOsMakeaDifference. Follow #StateCIOsRock for updates on other states and territories to be featured in the coming weeks.

120 backpacks filled with school supplies donated to Alexandria City Public Schools’ Family and Community Engagement Center

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 14, 2015 — State and corporate members of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) raised funds for backpacks and school supplies to benefit kindergarten students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) while attending the 2015 Midyear Conference in Alexandria, VA, April 26-29. NASCIO members stuffed 120 backpacks to be distributed to students through ACPS’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center and raised an additional $1,000 in funds for the organization.

The FACE Center offers the opportunity to integrate relevant afterschool activities for students with workshops and resources for parents and community members aimed at improving student academic achievement. FACE also offers a one-stop shop for families and the community to obtain information and support on educational and other issues. Research indicates that engagement in schools is linked to improved academic outcomes, behavior, attendance, and graduation and college enrollment rates.

Learn more about the FACE Center at www.acps.k12.va.us/face-centers/.

CIOs Commit to Working With Feds on Building Cyber Threat Information Sharing Network

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2015 — Today the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) endorsed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Credit Act (S 1023). The legislation, introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) provides federal tax credits to private industry that participates in cybersecurity Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) and fusion centers.

NASCIO announced its support at the association’s 2015 D.C. Fly-In, where more than 50 state CIOs and state technology policy officials met with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services. During the event, NASCIO members sat down with officials from the White House, Congress, and individuals throughout the administration in an effort to highlight cybersecurity issues in the states. 

“Most states, including Michigan, are already formally working as ISAOs and sharing cyber threat information with our key private sector partners,” explained David Behen, Co-chair of the NASCIO Security and Privacy Committee and CIO for the state of Michigan. “It is critical to establish partnerships between the public and private sectors on a regional basis in order to effectively and efficiently deter cyber threats.”

NASCIO members also met with the White House Cyber Security Coordinator Michael Daniel. The conversation focused on how states could work with the administration to increase information sharing on key cyber threats, as well as maturing and expanding cybersecurity programs.  State CIOs committed to growing the role of the states in sharing information among key public and private sector partners.

“State CIOs and their teams play a key role in securing state infrastructure against cyber threats,” said Stu Davis, president of NASCIO and CIO for the state of Ohio. “The sophistication of those threats are growing, and there are insufficient resources to meet them. It’s vital that we engage with our federal partners now to ensure we have the right structures in place. State governments—and our nation—are at risk.”

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2015 — Today members of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) met with Federal CIO Tony Scott to discuss opportunities to work together to identify potential updates to and harmonization of existing federal agency rules that impact states’ use of information technology. State CIOs discussed with Scott federal program requirements and directives imposed by federal agencies that have unintentionally hindered state government efforts to modernize service channels, integrate program delivery, and achieve better outcomes for its citizens at lower cost. 

“State innovation is often derailed not only by technology rules that haven’t kept up with new IT business practices, but also inconsistent interpretation and application of them by federal agencies,” explained Stu Davis, president of NASCIO and CIO, state of Ohio. “We want to work with Mr. Scott and the federal government to harmonize grant requirements when it comes to information technology policy, and incentivize states to take cross jurisdictional and enterprise approaches to technology that result in cost reductions and improved services for citizens.” 

NASCIO members met with Scott at the association’s annual fly-in, where more than 50 state CIOs and state technology policy officials came together with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services.