Natalie Alms Profile Banner
Natalie Alms Profile
Natalie Alms

@AlmsNatalie

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2,588

journalist who covers how the govt's tech affects you🫵 @NextgovFCW . NC native, DC resident. hot tips - nalms @govexec .com. DM for Signal.

a coffeeshop near you
Joined August 2018
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
some ✨personal news✨ - I'm switching beats to cover federal tech policy; service delivery (think unemployment, food stamps, etc.) and the govt's tech workforce. if this is your jam, let's talk! find me at nalms @govexec .com
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
and as I sat down to eat lunch at 4pm on a busy day, i had to wonder... am i breaking news, or is news breaking me?
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
5 months
reporters turning in big stories to their editors...
@KimberlyDinaro
Kimberly 🧜🏻‍♀️ Dinaro💲
5 months
My 2023 year-in-review:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
lots of talk about administrative burden lately, but if you've ever wondered what it is exactly, here's your primer: also, learn about how @donmoyn and @pamela_herd are working on a better way to measure it
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
16 days
first White House Correspondent's Association dinner. really, really proud to be able to do the job that I do.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
personal news, as they say. really chuffed to be a neal finalist for my digital identity coverage
@FCWnow
FCW
1 year
Huge congratulations to FCW reporter @AlmsNatalie for her Neal Award nomination in the Best Series category for her work on digital identity in government. Click for more info on this year's Neal Awards including links to all the finalists:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 month
Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have a new, bipartisan proposal they say would make procurement easier for both federal acquisition staff and contractors buying and selling technology.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
15 days
At Eisenhower for a National Cyber Director event. OPM just announced they're moving all of 2210 - the govt's IT workforce - to skills-based hiring, to scattered applause throughout the room. Story TK.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
. @YourVoiceAtIRS is recommending that the IRS make its own free, direct e-file tax return system. it's unclear if the IRS will act on this recommendation, but if it were to do so, the move would mark a big shift from the status quo. @FCWnow
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
8 months
me when i calculate a very simple percentage for a story.... (I didn't sign up to be a reporter thinking I'd have to do MATH, ok?!)
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
5 months
scoop, there it is -- @USGAO will publish a first-of-its-kind report on Tuesday reviewing federal agencies’ artificial intelligence inventories, which collectively total more than 1k current or planned AI use cases, from @Frank_Konkel
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
6 months
big nerd alert, but new Labor Dept guidance on access to unemployment goes out of its way to note that denials of claims for benefits where someone is entitled but denied IS an improper payment + states must improve access as an integrity mission. (story tk btw)
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
yesterday, the Treasury announced that AI-powered fraud detection processes it started in late 2022 are paying off — the department has recovered over $375 million since it put the new processes in place
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 years
Moving out of my college dorm room for the last time. I’m a puddle of emotions. Thank you @WakeForest for a wonderful four years. Go Deacs!
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
9 months
working on a cyber / tech workforce story and just realized that all my sources are women?!
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
being a trade reporter is going from being an average person with average interests to very excited abt new NIST guidelines [or insert other weird niche thing here] 🤠
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 months
I love Queer Eye but man do people sometimes just need more money, real therapy, etc
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
I talked with @EvermoreMichele about jobless aid. some takeaways @FCWnow - fraud isn't a UI problem, it's a whole of government problem - equity and potential bias should be the key consideration for fraud interventions - the system isn't recession-ready
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
a bit of a deep cut for CX folks in Danny Werfel's IRS confirmation hearing today -- "“I’m kind of a government geek, Senator Carper, I tell people, like, if you want to get a cup of coffee and talk about the latest changes to OMB Circular A-11, I’m your guy.”
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
. @USOPM and Tech to Gov are having a career fair for laid of tech workers tomorrow (see here -) here's some more abt how this fits in with OPM's work to woo techies
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 month
Login . gov nerds, news is coming🫡
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
something new from me today -- in the midst of growing distrust and, at times, vitriol against government employees, one federal employee is telling the stories of individual public sector workers. it's a story abt stories and why they matter.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 months
direct file website is up!
@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 months
the IRS is gearing up to launch its Direct File pilot, which limited amounts of taxpayers will be able to use to file their taxes online w the government for free this year. i saw a demo of it today. details here:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
it's happened. i've gotten my first kate middleton pitch.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
3 months
this is me telling you that if your tech - / government - focused panel is interesting, I'm interested in moderating it ✨✨✨✨✨
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
Kiersten Todt, chief of staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said during a Billington panel today that CISA will be launching a pilot to hire neurodiverse cybersecurity experts. 👀
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
3 months
The top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Finance Committee have a bipartisan framework for legislation they say would equip the unemployment system for the next economic crisis.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
me: love my job. also me: you're telling me after I report the story, I also have to write it?🥴
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
BREAKING: the cocker spaniel has been swaddled.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
11 months
who should i talk to about the potential good + potential bad of AI + generative AI in the CX/ government services arena? esp. interested in its use in plain language 👀
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
7 months
it’s been 10 years since healthcare . gov launched — & crashed — and 9 years since the founding of the tech team born from the rescue effort. I spoke w @USDS administrator Mina Hsiang, who was part of that effort, abt what’s changed and what hasn’t.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
“This is a milestone,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters Tuesday about the full launch of the IRS' Direct File pilot. “Direct File marks the first time you can electronically file a tax return directly with the IRS through our website.”
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
a top intelligence leader in the IC's security agent office recently got blunt with me about security clearances and marijuana
@FCWnow
FCW
1 year
Feds mull changes to cannabis questions on vetting forms | via @AlmsNatalie
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
to restore tabs after the forced laptop shutdown or not to restore tabs, that is the question
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
the National Park Service is looking at making a digital version of the park pass! 🍃🪺🌍🤸‍♀️🌻
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
. @codeforamerica today announced that they're adding the ability for folks to claim the earned income tax credit through their simplified filing tool.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 months
talk to my new coworker david abt cyber, folks!!
@ddimolfetta
David DiMolfetta
4 months
Personal news: Today is my first day at @NextgovFCW covering cybersecurity! So excited to get started and continue on the cyber beat. Send tips, scoops, story ideas, research reports and anything else you've got to ddimolfetta @govexec .com
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
sometimes being a journalist is about being as annoying as possible to the right people.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
7 months
I really need the DC weather to stop this nice-on-the-weekdays and gross-on-the-weekends pattern. for morale purposes.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
The White House says that the 2025 budget includes over $500 million for its relatively low-profile but high-impact efforts to make government less crappy to interact with.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
3 months
journalists don't want chocolate for valentine's day, they want sources 🤍
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
hello spring!
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
one year mark since the Biden administration marked improving the public's perceptions of and satisfaction with their interactions with the federal government as a major priority.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
15 days
The Biden administration made a slew of commitments around skills-based hiring on Monday, announcing that the federal government will be rewiring the HR policies undergirding most of the government's IT workforce
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
i've said it before and I'll say it again - any given day it's either all the news or no news. there is no in between.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
NJ is getting unemployment modernization right, DOL says. It has a plan to scale the approach its using, but right as its announcing that plan and releasing funding for it, Congress is looking at stripping the covid-19 funding it got for jobless aid away🗞️
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 years
Very excited to let people know that I'll be reporting on the federal workforce, labor issues, and workplace technologies at @FCWnow starting in a few weeks!!
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
plain language bill clears the senate
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
looks a new talent portal / filter for tech listings on USA Jobs is one outgrowth of the hiring fair today.🧐 if you're interested -
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 month
GSA, which runs the govt's single sign-on, Login gov, is piloting face matching tech to ID proof people. The changes will be felt by many Americans -- over 40 federal/ state agencies use Login as a front door for programs like unemployment insurance
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
huge news! my coworker @chrisriotta has spearheaded a new, limited edition podcast on the fed100's, @FCW 's award program that recognizes federal IT folks. the first episode is out now🎤
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
In 9 states, you have to pass identity verification checks before you can apply for unemployment online, according to new @BeeckCenter research. That's potentially leaving eligible individuals who can't clear identity systems without many options.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
6 months
story, as promised, on Labor Department's instructions to states to make sure that everyone entitled to unemployment benefits has a meaningful opportunity to get them
@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
6 months
big nerd alert, but new Labor Dept guidance on access to unemployment goes out of its way to note that denials of claims for benefits where someone is entitled but denied IS an improper payment + states must improve access as an integrity mission. (story tk btw)
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
during the pandemic, USDA was able to use certain flexibilities in how it delivered WIC (e.g., not making ppl go into the office monthly to get benefits). now it's looking at making some permanent.
@FCWnow
FCW
1 year
. @USDA is scheduled to publish a proposed rule that would remove current regulatory requirements that prevent online shopping in the WIC program, via @AlmsNatalie .
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
IRS says its on track w the report on a direct efile system Congress asked for in the Inflation Reduction Act in May. and @codeforamerica has some ideas that it thinks the IRS should think abt - it released a design prototype yesterday for what it says the IRS could make
@FCWnow
FCW
1 year
IRS names advisors on possible direct, government-hosted free tax filing system | via @AlmsNatalie
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
some specifics for life experience work to rework gov services around ppl's experiences (as opposed to the norm - bureaucracy) among them: automated benefit determinations in Medicaid, etc.; benefit apps that take >20; a methodology for measuring burden
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
6 months
here's the tea🫖on the White House's directive to agencies on AI, which comes on the heels of the AI EO on Monday. Featuring a convo I had with Jason Miller at OMB on the draft guidance. 👀 for @NextgovFCW
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
Today is the full launch for IRS direct file. I’ll have a story later
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
if I lose this i will be devastated
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 months
the IRS is gearing up to launch its Direct File pilot, which limited amounts of taxpayers will be able to use to file their taxes online w the government for free this year. i saw a demo of it today. details here:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
11 months
my desire to be liked, my job as a journalist, and their daily showdown
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
7 months
weekend reading abt a watchdog report that read like a novel. here’s why the IRS hasn’t implemented Login yet— as I’ve reported already— and what current plans are.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
8 months
The govt’s personnel agency has its first new IT strategic plan in over a decade✨ details in retirement modernization, the impact maintaining old vetting systems has on OPM while they wait for DOD to build the new ones and more here @NextgovFCW
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
no one told me how much of journalism is scheduling + time management 😩
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
11 days
idk what we did to deserve rain every weekend and sun only on days when we're stuck inside working 🙃
@OrianaBeLike
Oriana González
11 days
can dc weather like get it together
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
this is your reminder to be cool AKA send me juicy tips abt government tech! email is nalms @govexec .com and you can DM me for Signal
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
mind: let's ask this in a straightforward way. mouth: so. given context a, b, c, -- and i know you've been involved with c in d way -- what do you think of e and what are the implications for a, b, c, and also slightly-related f?
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 years
🚨Talked to @OMBPress CIO Clare Martorana & @USDS director Mina Hsiang about federal CX efforts at the @codeforamerica summit yesterday. Here's what I learned:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 years
happy monday to the professor who had to figure out how to teach me rock climbing online and that professor only
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
13 days
my nerds! who has submitted comments for OMB's RFI on AI procurement? will you share them with me?!👀
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
a draft (draft! not finalized!) of the identity exec order would call on all public benefits program to offer users a publicly-operated digital identity service📝 @FCWnow
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
15 days
Major focus here in skillsbased hiring is removing requirements for educational degrees.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
5 years
this is, in no particular order, a lesson in passive-aggressiveness, a reminder to be quiet in the library (on all floors) and a little something to say happy almost-finals szn!
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
10 months
follow us! 🤩
@FCWnow
FCW
10 months
@FCWnow is merging with longtime competitor Nextgov to become Nextgov/FCW. Follow us here for the latest in fed tech news: @NextgovFCW .
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
my coworker is very cute but also very insistent that he deserves some of my breakfast.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
one more plug to ✨watch this space.✨ this will be updated soon w more details
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
14 days
One more tweet since this landed in the evening yesterday: The Biden administration is rewiring the resume requirements undergirding most of the government's IT workforce to support workers who pick up tech skills on the job
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
7 months
. @SenBillCassidy and @RonWyden introduced a bill over the weekend that would allow USPS to provide IRL identity proofing services to the private sector, a move they say could help combat AI-fueled identity fraud🤖 more here:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
if ya wanna hear me yap about what i cover and why, here's your chance.
@washtechnology
Washington Technology
2 months
New #WT360 episode NextGov/FCW's @AlmsNatalie on modernization challenges. #GovCon
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
8 months
your semi regular reminder that unfortunately, i'm ✨not✨ omniscient (shocking, i know!!) send me tips! send me ideas! send me weird things that are going on or that people are gossiping about, or govt tech policies/practices/problems that are affecting ppl
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 month
he doesn't want me to finish my stories
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
8 months
deep dive on New Jersey's unemployment modernization push by former DOL-er and UI expert @EvermoreMichele . 👀 it's a state that's gotten plaudits for their modular, agile approach
@EvermoreMichele
Michele Evermore
8 months
Making UI technology work is incredibly complicated and takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to succeed. In my role @heldrichcenter , I took a deep dive into NJ's policy and technology and found some truly promising practices. Here is what I found:
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
5 months
the govt is piloting a federally-backed texting service for states/localities to text folks abt key deadlines for government benefits 👀 @USGSA just announced the first four state/local partners
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
a lil exclusive: the administration is pitching Congress on a legislative package on how govt agencies can hire and pay cybersecurity employees. whether it gets traction is TBD, but @USOPM says it would help agencies hire more quickly + pay more
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 months
nerd alert - story on irs direct file coming soon from yours truly😇
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
government agencies don't have a "precise definition" of artificial intelligence accountability in federal guidance
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
1 in 10 agencies websites were not fully accessible for Americans with disabilities several large federal entities—State Department, VA —were found to have 50% or less of their tested websites in compliance with Section 508👀 from @EdwardJGraham1
@NextgovFCW
Nextgov/FCW
1 year
After a Decade of Noncompliance, DOJ Issues Report on Federal Website Accessibility
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
3 years
well just go ahead and make me weepy on a thursday, then @WakeForest
@WakeForest
Wake Forest University
3 years
It’s beginning to look a lot like Commencement on the quad! 🎓 At last, we get to celebrate the Class of 2020 starting tomorrow. Welcome home, Deacs. #WFU20 #WFUGrad
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
federal tech day at DOL kicking off
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
2 months
SSA needs funding to address its ‘customer service crisis,’ commissioner says. Among the stats: the wait time for an initial disability decision is almost eight months. Another 7 if you ask for a reconsideration.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
7 months
big news: the government's online single-sign on, Login gov, is adding face verification tech next year -- something the IRS was lambasted for using early last year.
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
3 months
federal IT isn't usually spicy on the Hill, but something semi-spicy is coming?
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
this one's been in the works for a long time. what are cyber and intel agencies doing - or not doing - to hire + retain neurodiverse talent?
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
4 years
if you’re a senior @WakeForest with feelings about recent events and online classes, or stories about when you heard the news about COVID during your spring break, I’d love to chat for an article I’m working on for the @wfu_ogb
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@AlmsNatalie
Natalie Alms
1 year
tiny cyber nugget - Office of the National Cyber Director spox told FCW that the cyber workforce strategy should be done this summer more here from @chrisriotta
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