Pennsylvania Earns Two National Technology Awards

Statewide Radio Network and Child Support Portal Selected by NASCIO

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania has earned a pair of top honors for outstanding achievement in state government information technology from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). The organization will present the awards to Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network and the state's Child Support Portal tonight at its annual conference.

"Technology plays a critical role in the delivery of many critical services to Pennsylvania citizens," said Secretary of Administration Christian Soura. "We're pleased to be recognized for our efforts and to serve as an example to other states."

NASCIO received 134 nominations from 30 states for consideration for this year's awards. Winners were selected in 10 categories.

"We always strive to identify and invest in projects that will ultimately result in cost savings to taxpayers and greater government efficiency," said Brenda Orth, the state's chief information officer. "I'm extremely proud of the OA and DPW employees who contributed to these initiatives."

The Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network, known as PA-STARNet, provides wireless voice and data communications including public safety and emergency response dispatch to the State Police, PennDOT and more than 20 other state and local government agencies, regional task forces and business partners. PA-STARNet is operated by the Office of Administration's Office of Public Safety Radio Services.

The Department of Public Welfare's Child Support Portal provides comprehensive child support customer service and information delivery. It allows users to update their personal information, such as their address and phone number, submit "tips" about the location of parents who owe child support, and receive e-mail reminders of upcoming court dates, payments due and more. The portal has enabled caseworkers to spend time on more meaningful tasks such as locating absent parents, establishing orders and monitoring compliance.

Media contact: Dan Egan, 717-772-4237

Editor's Note: To learn more about the NASCIO Awards and view all of the finalists, visit http://www.nascio.org/awards/2010awards/ .

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Administration