NASCIO spots innovative state IT projects

A wireless public safety project and an emergency management system are among the eight projects to be recognized this year by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers.

NASCIO, an organization representing state CIOs, announced Sept. 21, the winners of the association's 2004 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology and the recipient of its annual Meritorious Service Award.

The recognition award winners were selected from a field of 120 nominations from 36 states. NASCIO's awards committee of state and industry officials chose the winners.

NASCIO also honored past president and Missouri CIO Gerry Wethington with its Meritorious Service Award. NASCIO created the Meritorious Service Award to spotlight a state CIO who has exemplified outstanding service, advocacy and leadership in state government.

During his two terms as NASCIO president for the past two program years, Wethington increased the organization's national clout with top policy makers at both the federal and state levels.

Wethington also helped Missouri improve its e-government service capabilities and develop an adaptable enterprise architecture program.

The recognition awards are given annually to state IT programs that have proven, cost-effective and innovative solutions in the operation of state government. The categories, winners and a brief description of the project are:

· Communications infrastructure: Virginia Wireless E-911 Deployment Project. A project that made E-911 service available to almost 80 percent of all wireless subscribers within Virginia.

· Digital government, government to business: Missouri Public Service Commission's Electronic Filing and Information System. An integrated, Web-enabled case management and communications system to support the commission's work.

· Digital government, government to government: Virginia Base Mapping Program. A digital map on which local government and other governmental geospatial data applications can be built producing a statewide geospatial infrastructure.

· Digital government, government to citizen: Michigan Electronic Filed Unemployment Claims Project. A system that allows citizens to submit unemployment claims from their homes using the Internet or telephone.

· Enterprise information architecture: New York State eMedNY Data Warehouse. A data warehouse system that can access and rapidly analyze Medicaid data stored in disparate databases and convert it to valuable information.

· Innovative use of technology: Washington, D.C., Guide. An application that uses geographic information system and search engine technologies to draw from more than 200 layers of useful data.

· Security and business continuity: Michigan Critical Incident Management System. A software application to support the state's critical incident management system that can be accessed regardless of location.

· State IT management initiatives: Tennessee Information Systems Planning Process. A comprehensive technology planning process to enhance project oversight.