LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles County took first place in a nationwide survey of counties for its innovative use of digital technology, the Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties announced today.
L.A. County was awarded first place nationwide in the category of counties with more than 1 million residents for its success in aligning its information technology with strategic goals and using advanced analytics to implement criminal justice reforms.
The county also won the Future Ready Award, sponsored by Google Cloud, for the use of artificial intelligence to predict homelessness among adults receiving county services, as well as for setting up a $10 million IT fund for innovative tech solutions and a separate $20 million fund to modernize mission-critical technology systems.
The Future Ready Award is granted to “jurisdictions that are laying the foundation for the disruptive and converging forces that are shaping an uncertain future,'' according to the Center for Digital Government.
“Innovative counties are utilizing technology and data to better serve their citizens, respond quickly to citizen needs around COVID-19, and support digital experience initiatives,'' CDG co-director Phil Bertolini said. “The Center for Digital Government congratulates this year's winners for their hard work and their efforts to use technology to make government better.''
This was the 18th annual Digital Counties Survey, which aims to identify the use of technology to streamline the delivery of government services, encourage open data, collaboration and shared services, enhance cybersecurity and contribute to disaster response and recovery efforts.
“We applaud this year's Digital Counties Survey winners for maximizing the benefits of technology in serving our residents, especially during a time when technology has become even more instrumental in connecting people and places,'' NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase said. “The Digital Counties Survey demonstrates how we embrace cutting-edge approaches to strengthening our communities and achieving healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America.''
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