State Agencies Receive Five Global Technology Awards

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania state agencies took home five awards for using technology to promote positive social, economic and educational change. 

The Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET), Department of Public Welfare and Department of Labor & Industry were named 2013 Laureates by IDG's Computerworld Honors Program.  The awards were presented last night at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. 

The state agencies were among 267 award recipients, which included corporations, universities, non-profits and government organizations worldwide.    

"Pennsylvania state government continues to make a name for itself as a leader in technology innovation," Corbett said.  "These awards are just a few examples of how we are transforming government to be more effective, efficient and responsive to those we serve."

The Pennsylvania Justice Network, housed within the Office of Administration, developed an application that allows police and other authorized public safety professionals to more efficiently conduct background checks for criminal investigations, as well as screening new and existing employees.  This is the third year in a row that JNET has been named a Laureate.

The Department of Public Welfare received three awards for initiatives to better serve Pennsylvanians most in need while also improving government efficiencies:

• The Technology Risk Management system is a big advancement in protecting citizen private information by proactively identifying security risks to reduce identity theft exposure.

• The Enterprise Incident Management system has streamlined the process used by nearly 2,500 Medical Assistance providers to report incidents or complaints filed in connection with over 30,000 elderly or disabled who rely on long-term care.

• The Medical Assistance Provider Incentive Repository system was developed as a collaboration among 13 states to allow providers to apply for incentive payments to adopt and implement electronic health records.  The goal of the incentive program is to improve the efficiency of the health care system and ultimately patient health outcomes.

The Department of Labor & Industry was recognized for the creation of JobGateway(SM), a new online job-matching portal aimed at transforming the way job seekers and employers connect.  With a goal of decreasing the length of unemployment and expediting return to the workforce, the website features new functionality designed to optimize the job-search experience.  A simplified, more intuitive user interface improves the employer experience when posting a job and searching for candidates.  JobGateway enhancements are incorporated every few months.  The website is at www.jobgateway.pa.gov.

For more information about JNET, visit www.pajnet.state.pa.us.

Learn more about the Computerworld Honors Program at www.cwhonors.org.

Media contact: Dan Egan, Office of Administration, 717-772-4237
Donna Kirker Morgan, Department of Public Welfare, 717-214-1876
Sara Goulet, Labor & Industry, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor