In This Issue

E-Government Resources

 

Hundreds of state and federal resources, organized by category

  

State-wide portal for county and local resources, organized by county  

  

Resources on an array of topics, including careers and jobs   

September 1, 2015 
 

The E-Government Newsletter is back!

Before I begin with news about E-Government and Workforce Recovery, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Alex Brownlee, and I'm the new E-Government Consultant with the Bureau of Library Development. I'm excited to be able to provide support, training and information about E-Government services from around the state and across the nation. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments you have!  


*All logos link to their corresponding websites.*
E-Government News
FDVA Mobile App
 
The Florida Department of Veteran Affairs has released a new and improved free mobile application for both IOS and Android.

This mobile app is designed to support FDVA's vision of being the "premier point of entry for Florida veterans to access earned services, benefits and support." The app includes tabs for services, a VA office locator, job and career links, and much more.
Florida 511

Florida 511 is a toll-free resource that provides real-time traffic information about Florida's interstates. Users can now receive traffic updates in four convenient ways:
  1. Call 511 toll-free for updates in English and Spanish.
  2. Visit FL511.com for interactive roadway maps showing traffic congestion and crashes, travel times, and traffic camera views.
  3. Download the free Florida 511 mobile app, available on Google Play and iTunes.
  4. Follow one of the 12 statewide, regional or roadway-specific feeds on Twitter.
Affordable Care Act
 
Enrollment for 2016:
  • Nov. 1, 2015 - Open Enrollment begins.
  • Jan. 1, 2016 - Coverage can begin.
  • Jan. 31, 2016 - Open Enrollment ends.

The fee for not being covered in 2016 is the higher of:

  • 2.5 percent of annual household income; or  
  • $695 per person ($347.50 per child under 18) 
On the Horizon

 

ConnectHome

 

ConnectHome is a partnership between the Obama Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the Administration's ConnectED Initiative. It is designed to make broadband Internet more adoptable, valuable and sustainable.

 

ConnectHome is essentially a partnership program between local governments, public housing agencies, Internet service providers, and other philanthropic and non-profit organizations. In 28 pilot programs across the nation, including one in Tampa, FL, broadband Internet will be offered at reduced or free rates to residents of public housing. Partner organizations, such as the American Library Association, will also offer training and services in digital literacy.    

Workforce Recovery News
Florida WIOA Task Force
 
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which is designed to enhance employment and training services to the state's job seekers and businesses, took effect on July 1, 2015.

Florida's 20 member WIOA Task Force will meet six times and submit a recommended plan of action to the CareerSource Florida Board, which will then deliberate and pass a final set of recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for the 2016 Legislative Session. The Legislature will create a unified plan of action for the state's rollout of WIOA, which will take effect on July 1, 2016.
Grant Opportunities
Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries
 

Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are a special funding opportunities within the IMLS National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. These small grants encourage libraries and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services or organizational practices.

 

Successful proposals will address problems, challenges or needs of broad relevance to libraries and/or archives. A proposed project should test a specific, innovative response to the identified problem and present a plan to make the findings widely and openly accessible.

For more info, see the Sparks! Ignition Grant  webpage.
Smart Investing at Your Library   
 

 

 

Smart Investing is a partnership between the American Library Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation. Smart Investing funds programs designed to train patrons and library staff in financial literacy.

 

For more information on program design, staff training and other resources, visit  Smart Investing @ Your Library.
Contact Us

Recognizing that E-Government is a constantly changing field with emerging challenges and opportunities, the Bureau of Library Development provides a number of training opportunities for interested parties. Follow BLD on Facebook and Twitter for updates, or subscribe to our YouTube channel for uploaded content.

Please do no hesitate to contact me with any of your E-Government needs.

Sincerely,

Alex Brownlee
E-Government Consultant
Bureau of Library Development
  


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E-Government, Workforce Recovery and Outreach | 850.245.6633
alex.brownlee@dos.myflorida.com | info.florida.gov
R.A. Gray Building
500 S. Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399