NASCIO Recognizes Outstanding State IT Programs

A California online procurement system and a New Mexico Internet-based solution for child services were among nine projects to receive recognition from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers.

NASCIO, an organization representing state CIOs, announced Sept. 19 the winners of the association's 2001 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology. Winners were picked in nine categories.

The winning projects were selected from a field of 117 nominations received from 30 states.

NASCIO's awards committee of state and industry officials chose the winners. The awards are given annually to state IT programs and systems that have created proven, cost-effective and innovative solutions in the operation of state government.

The categories, winners and a brief description of the projects are:

*Accessibility: NC Classes On-Line (North Carolina). An initiative to encourage North Carolina teachers to develop their own Web page accessible through the state portal.

*Communications Infrastructure: Advanced Regional Traffic Interactive and Management Information System (Kentucky). An intelligent transportation system to ensure movement of people and goods in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky urban area.

*Digital Government: CAL-Buy (California). An online procurement system that automates contracts, links government buyers to thousands of products and helps streamline the purchasing process.

*Information Architecture: PA Commonwealth Connect Project (Pennsylvania). A program to standardize all state agencies on the same core desktop software and a common e-mail network.

*Innovative Use of Technology: Field Audit Research, Selection, Tracking and Reporting Project: The Evolution of Tax Compliance (Michigan). A fully automated and integrated audit compliance process to serve registered business taxpayers.

*IT Professional Retention and Recruitment: IT Training Program (Idaho). A centralized approach toward IT training resources involving state agencies, higher education, major computer hardware and software vendors and private training organizations.

*Public/Private Partnership: Department of Taxation (Virginia). In partnership with American Management Systems Inc., a complete re-engineering of the business process to replace legacy systems that manage state revenue.

*Service Applications: eChild Support (New Mexico). An Internet-based solution to enable parents and employers to perform tasks and exchange information that could only be handled before on the phone or in person with agency staff.

*State Planning and Management Initiatives: State Digital Government Plan (Washington). A plan outlining the specific steps that state agencies must take to provide convenient access for citizens to services online.