@kristallakis
Serving public servants. Currently at U.S. Digital Response. Former Deputy Secretary in CA Govt Operations Agency & City of SF Chief Innovation Officer. Firm believer the world would be better with more pink. 💗
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...
.@kdyz.bsky.social'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. waldo@usdigitalresponse.org
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/...
Oh I should add that the smartest and most capable and passionate people I’ve worked with have been in government. But also the most difficult. You get the full gamut. But the difficult ones are VERY difficult.
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.
Awesome!!
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...
Ooof that’s rough, Ryan.