ATARC Federal IT Newscast

Tune in to “Doing Tech Better in Government” for an inspiring conversation on reshaping institutions and empowering change. We are joined by Jennifer Pahlka, Former US Deputy CTO, The White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy and Author as she shares her mission to recode America through principles and values in government. From founding "Code for America" to helping shape what would become the "United States Digital Service," her impact has been profound. Now, she's extending her vision to promote advancements in the military and elevate voices often overlooked in leadership circles.

Tune in for the newest episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government" where we dive into the world of FEDRAMP in government with Eric Mill, Executive Director for Cloud Strategy and Zaree Singer, FEDRAMP’s Agency Engagement Lead from the GSA. Mill and Singer shed light on how FEDRAMP aims to streamline approval processes, ensure agencies can leverage cloud-based applications effectively, and ultimately empower them to fulfill their missions with enhanced efficiency and security in the digital era. Join us as we explore the pivotal role of FEDRAMP in shaping the future of government technology transformation.

On this episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government" we explore the world of government technology and innovation with Aric Sherwood, Director of Acquisition at Army PEO EIS. Sherwood shares the significance in having a common vernacular for understanding diverse customer bases, the importance of collaboration amongst agilists, and the pivotal role of digital transformation in refining messaging strategies. Discover why comprehensive training is crucial in fostering a collective understanding of the purpose behind moving forward digitally as an organization. Tune in now as we unravel the strategies for successfully navigating the complexities of organizational agility!

Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the transformative world of systems thinking across government sectors. We spotlight a groundbreaking USDA initiative known as the Growing Good in Government Initiative (G3I).  The G3I is a holistic approach to understanding the entirety of our shared complexity across the Federal Governance and Performance Management Frameworks.  The approach looks to maximize value to stakeholders through coordinated efforts of two priorities: the Integrated Value Network (IVN) and the USDA Program/Project Management (P/PM) Community of Practice (CoP). The IVN's impact is evident in organizations like the VA, where response times to OMB requests have remarkably improved from a 2-3 week wait to a mere 90-minute turnaround. Discover how this has been made possible through the mapping of the USDA’s strategic plan onto each agency component and business service level, fostering a rich feedback loop that enhances communication both internally and externally.In this episode, we explore the concept of benefits realization management, investigating how it translates the delivery mechanisms of agencies to the public. We also dive into the universal language that bridges the federal workforce experience (EX) with the citizen experience (CX). Join us to unravel these questions and more, as we navigate the exciting path of government service innovation.

Join us for another episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government" as we explore the world of government technology and innovation with Rick DeLappe, Interagency Program Manager for Recreation.gov. Rick discusses the importance of agile methods being utilized in order to stay ahead of technological advancements and emphasizes the importance of employee input and adapting based on stakeholder and customer feedback. He also highlights about using a collaborative approach to not only enhance service delivery but optimize resource utilization. Tune in for valuable insights into navigating the complexities of government technology with adaptability and foresight.

Stephanie Wilson, Procurement Contracting,Agreements, and Grants and Agreements Officer at ACC - Rock Island, discusses integrating AI into government procurement, navigating nontraditional procurements, combatting legacy tech, and the importance of making people 'familiar with the unfamiliar.' She explores the challenges of understanding comfort levels and gauging risks in the ever-evolving landscape of AI.

Get ready for our newest episode of the podcast Solving for X as we sit down with Erica Ford, a distinguished Partner/Principal at EY for the U.S Government Private Sector (GPS) People Advisory Services. Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in human-centered strategy and transformation, and she's here to share her insights with you. Dive into the conversation as Erica unravels her unique perspectives on proactively investing in your employees, all through the lens of workforce and employee experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the intersection of technology, strategy, and human experience. Tune in and let Erica's expertise guide you through the complexities of modern organizational transformation.

Welcome to this episode of "Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government," where we dive into the world of cybersecurity with Gustavo Limon, the Vulnerability and Program Compliance Manager at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). In this insightful conversation, Gustavo emphasizes the importance of looking beyond individual threats and delves into the challenges posed by emerging AI generative technologies in the public domain. He sheds light on the often overlooked vulnerabilities faced by smaller entities, stressing that patch management for the 'little guys' is a critical aspect of a robust cybersecurity strategy. He challenges conventional thinking by advocating a zero-trust approach, urging us to treat everything as if it is already corrupted or a threat. Join us in this episode as Gustavo Limon provides valuable insights into the world of cybersecurity, offering a fresh perspective on important topics!

In this episode of “Doing Tech Better in Government,” host Brian Fox talks with Kevin Portanova, the IT Director of NOAA Fisheries. With over two decades of experience in government IT, including roles within the Navy, DoD, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Kevin offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the federal IT landscape. Kevin sheds light on the commonalities and differences among federal agencies, particularly in the realm of data security and protection. He also emphasizes the delicate balance between enabling employees for success and adhering to security mandates, especially in the ever-evolving IT landscape. Kevin mentions organizational assessments focusing solely on IT needs was a game-changer to align employee requirements with overarching organizational goals. He also underlines the importance of continuous learning in IT, emphasizing that staying updated is a necessity to avoid falling behind. Join us for this insightful conversation on the challenges and triumphs in government IT!

In this episode of “Solving for X,” Nina Bianchi and Ben Park sit down with Dr. Kavitha Reddy, an Emergency Medicine Physician and the Associate Director of the Employee Whole Health Initiative at the VHA's Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. Dr. Reddy's journey began with a personal experience of burnout and a critical realization about the connection between health care workers, patient experience, and outcomes. Dr. Reddy shares insights into her team’s dynamic transformation work dedicated to bridging the gap between veteran care and employee well-being, explaining how you can address both system change and employee whole health. She also discusses the efforts to grow a Chief Wellness Officer network, the REBOOT Task Force, a dedicated initiative by the VHA to (R)educe (E)mployee (B)urnout and (O)ptimize (O)rganizational (T)hriving, led by determined individuals committed to health workforce well-being. Tune in as we explore the critical role of leadership and the journey toward reshaping the healthcare system to ensure the well-being of employees and, in turn, the quality of care for patients. Don't miss this insightful conversation with a passionate advocate for positive systemic change in healthcare.