City Website Redesign Project
Posted on: 03/27/2024
Brian Lee on the I&P Service Desk team won the HDI Best Service and Support Analyst of the year!
Posted on: 12/18/2023
Brian Lee on the Service Desk team won the HDI Best Service and Support Analyst of the Year. Brian was up against peers in Giant Eagle, Penn State, Pitt, UPMC, and more. Brian has been serving City employees for over 20 years and we couldn't be more thrilled about his recognition and wish him luck as he competes next in regionals and hopefully after on to nationals! We also want to give a shout-out to Neil Connor who was nominated and to Fredericka Greenwood for representing the City at the event. Great job Team!!
City of Pittsburgh Named One of Nation’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers
Posted on: 12/13/2023
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has named the City of Pittsburgh as a 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the city’s efforts to close the digital divide. https://www.digitalinclusion.org/digital-inclusion-trailblazers-2023/
As the pandemic demonstrated, digital inclusion – access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training – is essential to participating and thriving in today’s world. Recognizing the ongoing needs of the community, Pittsburgh didn’t stop digital inclusion efforts at the end of the quarantine.
“We realize how important it is to close the digital divide that excludes older residents, minorities, disabled individuals as well as those in various under-served communities. That’s why we’re working towards closing the digital gap by 2030 as indicated in the strategic plan released on December 6th, by the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition Community,” said Mayor Ed Gainey.
This year, the City of Pittsburgh, joins a record number of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, with 47 total awardees representing municipal, county, and regional governments paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US.
“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands-on deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers exemplify the key role local governments have in building connected communities for all of their residents.”
Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Pittsburgh achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents of their communities through:
- Making Accessible and Affordable Broadband a priority
- Ensure all residents have access to Digital Skills Training
- Resident are able to receive low-cost computing devices and technical support
NDIA revised the seven-year-old Trailblazer program this year, identifying seven categories of current best practices. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.
About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,500 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.
Congratulations to Assistant Director Sylvia Harris for her award as Local IT Leader of the Year!
Posted on: 12/07/2023
Sylvia Harris serves as the chief information security officer for the City of Pittsburgh. In this role, Harris works within the Department of Innovation & Performance, and oversees IT operations and support for the city, both on-site and remotely. She has been working for the City of Pittsburgh since 2008 and has been an IT professional for more than 30 years.
https://statescoop.com/list/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2023-localsmart-awards/
Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition Release Community Strategic Plan
Posted on: 12/06/2023
The Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition Community Strategic Plan can be seen via this link: https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/23475_PDEC_Community_Strategic_Plan_2024.pdf.
Today, City and County officials presented the Community Strategic Plan to close the digital divide in Allegheny County by 2030.
The plan was conceived by the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition consisting of local City and County Departments, some local businesses and nonprofits who recognized the need to ensure everyone in the region have affordable access to the digital world.
Due to the pandemic, the City and County recognized the gaps within the communities and neighborhoods where many residents were badly affected by their inability or lack of having digital access.
“The COVID-19 pandemic showed all of us the importance of being able to connect in today’s digital world. For many, it was absolutely imperative for education, healthcare, employment, and more,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Ensuring adequate internet for all, particularly in those communities that are unserved and underserved with broadband, is of vital importance so that those who call this county home can continue to grow and thrive with equitable access to the many opportunities in this region.”
Along with County Executive Fitzgerald, Mayor Ed Gainey saw how important it was to close the great divide and how collaboration and partnerships can make it possible for all residents to thrive in the digital era.
“We know older residents, minorities, disabled individuals as well as those in the low-income bracket are falling through the cracks within the digital gap. We have identified the needs and have created a way to close that gap but, the plan will not work without collaboration and partnerships to implement it. We can’t become a truly thriving community without everyone succeeding,” said Mayor Ed Gainey.
One organization already implementing the plan is the United Way with their 2-1-1 Digital Navigator Network. This project is already working and is playing an integral part to make some of the plan’s key elements a reality.
It works by connecting residents to a Digital Navigator via their 24/7 helpline who can assist residents with signing-up for low-cost internet, access to a device, or digital literacy and skills training.
“By working together, we can become the hub of a thriving and technologically advanced region where education, economic mobility, healthcare and quality of life are supported and promoted for all residents,” said Heidi Norman, Department of Innovation and Performance Director.
Closing the digital divide is an important goal that will focus on residents being able to have accessible and affordable broadhead, providing digital skills training and education along with getting residents affordable computing devices and technical support by 2030.
The City of Pittsburgh to Announce its Digital Equity Coalition Community Strategic Plan
Posted on: 12/05/2023
WHO: Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Director of Innovation & Performance Heidi Norman
WHAT: Pittsburgh's Digital Equity Coalition will announce a comprehensive strategic plan that will work to close the digital divide in Allegheny County by 2030
WHEN: December 6, 2023 at 2 PM
WHERE: City-County Building Lobby (414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219)
Learn more at the PDEC Homepage here
Intern Spotlight - Emilia Del Vecchio
Posted on: 11/28/2023
Innovation Unleashed: PGH Lab 8.0 Event Recording
Posted on: 07/31/2023
PGH Lab 8.0 Showcase Thank You!
Posted on: 07/18/2023
Dear Innovators,
Thank you for joining us at the Innovation Unleashed: PGH Lab 8.0 Showcase! Your presence made the event a tremendous success and we had over 80 people join us live! Your support and enthusiasm in celebrating the achievements of the startups and city department participants did not go unnoticed and your continued engagement is invaluable in fostering Pittsburgh's innovation ecosystem.
Next Steps:
As we all continue to digest the learnings of last week’s event, here's a look ahead at some opportunities that were mentioned at the event:
To our partners and you the larger community, we look forward to continuing this journey together and exploring new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and positive impact. Thank you once again for being a part of this inspiring event!
IT Panel Shout Out and Recognition for Assistant Director Jacque Rowden! Congratulations!
Posted on: 06/26/2023
Heidi Norman wins 2023 Chief Information Officer of the Year for Government, Education, and Nonprofit institutions!
Posted on: 04/18/2023
Director Heidi Norman is a finalist for Pittsburgh Technology Council's 2023 Chief Information Officer of the Year!
Posted on: 02/27/2023