Dover – The state of Delaware received the 2013 Web 2.0 Award in the “Harnessing the Power of Civic Media” category from the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for its new Public Integrity Reporting System (http://egov.delaware.gov/lobs).

The Public Integrity Reporting System (PIRS) is a result of the passage of Senate Bill 185, proposed by Governor Jack Markell and approved by the General Assembly, which requires lobbyists to disclose their reports online to the public.

“The recognition by the Public Technology Institute is encouraging for our eGovernment initiatives,” said Governor Markell.  “This award also highlights the continuing and successful efforts of the General Assembly and my Administration at making State government more transparent, open and accessible to all Delawareans.”

Users of the new PIRS can see which lobbyists are engaged on specific legislation, and view lobbyists’ client lists and financial disclosures. The new system also makes it easier for lobbyists and public officials to maintain a profile, and to submit required lobbying and gift-related reports online. The PIRS online interface is also mobile-friendly, allowing lobbyists to report, and citizens to search using smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

The PIRS is part of a growing collection of online applications developed by Delaware Interactive, LLC as part of the Delaware’s eGovernment initiative. The Delaware eGovernment team is a partnership of Delaware Government Information Center (GIC), state agencies and private companies that work together to develop innovative resources for computers and mobile devices to improve access to government services and information in Delaware.

Other recent eGovernment initiatives include a Hunting and Trapping Registration System, a directory of services for veterans, applications to report suspicious activities and crimes, a system to distribute temporary automobile license tags, an upgraded statewide public meeting calendar, a search tool for professional licenses, and a variety of agency-specific applications for mobile devices.

“This is wonderful news,” said Deborah J. Weaver, Counsel to the Public Integrity Commission. “Delaware Interactive has responded well to our needs and we are excited to continue our relationship with them to promote greater transparency in government for the general public.”

The Web 2.0 Awards were created by the Public Technology Institute (PTI) to recognize city, county and state government leaders in the application of Web 2.0 technologies and civic/social media tools.  PTI is a not-for-profit entity created by and for cities and counties to promote innovation and collaboration for thought-leaders in government.

“Under the leadership of Governor Markell, Delaware state agencies are implementing innovative and exciting ways to better reach and serve citizens online,” said GIC Director Greg Hughes.  “It’s gratifying to receive independent recognition of the Public Integrity Reporting System project and we welcome ideas from citizens and businesses on ways we can continue to improve our e-government services.”   The Government Information Center may be reached via email at gic@delaware.gov.”

###

Dover- The Delaware State Police and Delaware.gov in conjunction with Delaware Interactive, LLC have just launched a new mobile Tip Line application on both Android and iOS platforms.  Troopers receive crime tips from various sources: email, a toll-free hotline, and an online submission through its website.  The new Mobile Tip Line provides an additional, convenient, method where anyone can submit a crime tip straight from their mobile device.

You can learn more about the DSP by visiting http://dsp.delaware.gov/.  The app is free to both Android and iOS users and available for download at https://delaware.gov/apps/

The DSP Tip Line application provides a mobile solution for accepting crime tips allowing users to report information such as location, activity description, subject description, vehicle description, and even a photograph.  The user also has the option to submit anonymously.  All crime tips are passed directly to the DSP team via an email to preapproved recipients.

Apart from the mobile application, anyone who wishes to submit a tip may do so by calling the toll-free number 800-TIP-3333, emailing the DSP directly at crimestoppers@delaware.gov or by submitting an online form located at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=346

“The Delaware State Police continue to utilize technology as a force multiplier to combat and solve crime,” said Sergeant Paul G. Shavack, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. “By the use of smart phone technology, we want to make it as easy and convenient as possible to provide anonymous tips on crimes and criminal activity. When the public becomes involved and provides crime tips, it helps keep their communities safe.”

This mobile application responds to the administration’s eGovernment directive for enhanced citizen access.  “We’re committed to creating new and convenient eGovernment tools for Delaware,” said Greg Hughes, Director of the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC), which leads eGovernment efforts in the First State. “Delaware Governor Jack Markell has directed us to look for ways to make government more efficient, effective and open; mobile apps and eGovernment tools like this one will help us meet that goal.”

DOVER — Windows 8 users can now take advantage of the popular Delaware Fresh farm-market location app from the Delaware Department of Agriculture. The app is now available for all Windows 8 devices, from mobile phones and tablets to Windows 8 desktops, joining existing iPhone and Android versions. The app was developed by Delaware Interactive as part of the Delaware eGovernment Initiative. This is the first Windows 8 application for the state of Delaware, continuing the eGovernment Initiative drive to bring state information and services to Delawareans.  The app is free and available for download at apps.delaware.gov.

The Delaware Fresh app provides an interactive map of farmers’ markets, agritourism spots and other public farm operations across the state, highlighting specialty locations such as Christmas tree farms during those seasons. It provides market names, addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation. The app includes a listing of just what each market has to offer. If the market has a website, the user can easily click to that site through the app.

“This app is a great way for Delaware residents and travelers to instantly find the best local vegetables, fruits, meats and other products close by,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “It’s connecting our tech-savvy consumers with the best Delaware farmers have to offer.”

“We’re committed to creating new and convenient eGovernment tools for Delaware,” said Greg Hughes, Director of the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC), which leads eGovernment efforts in the First State. “Governor Jack Markell has directed us to look for ways to make government more efficient, effective and open. Mobile apps and eGovernment tools like Delaware Fresh help us meet that goal.”

# # #

Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520

DOVER – Delawareans can now review the license status of doctors, accountants, realtors, plumbers, cosmetologists, and many other professionals directly from their smartphones, adding a new level of convenience to their search for professional services. The new search tool is a free mobile application that allows users to search Division of Professional Regulation records by name, license number, license type, or location. They can learn whether a given professional has a current license in Delaware and whether or not any disciplinary actions have been taken against that professional.

The new mobile Professional License Search tool was created for the Division of Professional Regulation in partnership with the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC) as part of Delaware’s eGovernment initiative, which seeks to make it easier for Delawareans to interact with their government.

“We are pleased to offer mobile access to the Professional License Search,” said Deputy Secretary of State James Collins, who oversees the Division of Professional Regulation. “We are always looking for tools to help customers make informed choices about the professionals providing them services. This is in keeping with Governor Markell’s priorities to make government more efficient, effective, and as in this case, transparent.”

The Professional License Search application is a joint creation of Delaware State Government and Delaware Interactive (DI). The State engaged DI last year to increase the number of online services available to citizens and businesses through the state’s official portal, delaware.gov.

The application is available on any mobile or desktop platform. It can be accessed at egov.delaware.gov/pls or at the State of Delaware mobile applications site, apps.delaware.gov.

The Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) is a part of the Delaware Department of State. More information about the DPR can be obtained at dpr.delaware.gov.

DOVER – Delaware’s eGovernment initiative, which complements Governor Jack Markell’s goal of efficient and effective government, has recently received two awards from national groups. The eGovernment initiative, in particular Delaware’s new online Public Meeting Calendar, has been awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Interactive Media Council, Inc. (IMC). The new Calendar system was a key component in Delaware receiving a 2012 Public Technology Institute (PTI) Award.

“Keeping the public informed is vital to government transparency,” said Governor Markell. “We are striving to improve how we provide information so we make it easier for Delawareans to access it and have the option to participate in the public processes.”

The Outstanding Achievement Award given to Delaware’s Public Meeting Calendar is the second highest honor bestowed as part of the IMC’s Interactive Media Awards. Entries are judged on five different criteria: design; content; functionality; usability; and standards compliance and cross-browser compatibility. Since 2006, the IMC has recognized the highest standards of excellence in website design and development throughout the world. The IMC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the standards of excellence on the Internet.

Delaware’s overall eGovernment effort was recognized as a 2012 Public Technology Institute (PTI) Award winner. According to its website, PTI “identifies best practices and excellence in the field of Web 2.0 and civic/social networking and citizen engagement in local and state government.” The selection criteria for the award focus on a specific application or tool and analyze participation rates, interoperability, system integration, data access and performance metrics. The Government Information Center (GIC), which manages the eGovernment initiative, showcased the newly-revamped Public Meeting Calendar in its award application.

The Public Meeting Calendar update was developed by the GIC in partnership with Delaware Interactive (DI), a subsidiary of NIC USA. It features a streamlined, high usability interface consistent with the look and feel of the state’s new delaware.gov web portal. Each meeting listing features detailed information about the meeting, a meeting change history to alert users to any updates, a map to the meeting location, and the ability to scan a meeting-specific QR code to download meeting information directly to their personal calendars.

The Delaware eGovernment initiative is led by the Government Information Center, in the Department of State, and includes partners in various state and local government agencies, as well as Delaware Interactive, a private sector partner that brings years of experience in building eGovernment applications to Delaware. The eGovernment team is continuously looking for opportunities to improve the connection between citizens and their government using online tools ranging from web sites to mobile apps.