Author Archive

Natalie Alms

Natalie Alms
Natalie Alms is a staff writer at FCW covering federal technology policy, service delivery, customer experience and the government's tech workforce. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie.
Finance

Federal Watchdog Pegs Pandemic Unemployment Fraud at Over $60B

But the Government Accountability Office also cautioned that a firm estimate is tough to pin down. The analysis looks at an 18-month period starting in 2020.

Tech & Data

States Must Plug Into Federal Antifraud System for Food Aid Under New Rule

The system, meant to help prevent duplicate participation, is expected to make enrollment and oversight easier with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Tech & Data

Concerns Grow Over AI in Hiring Processes

Automated tech, including artificial intelligence for job recruiting, interviewing and hiring, may discriminate against qualified job-seekers, government officials warn.

Health & Human Services

States Need to Invest in Their Unemployment Systems, Labor Secretary Says

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told congressional lawmakers that the federal government also has to contribute to upgrading the system that the Government Accountability Office deemed a poorly performing government program.

Finance

Agriculture Department Offers Grants To Improve SNAP

The USDA says that the grants fall in line with administration priorities around equity and inclusion, as well as improving the customer experience of Americans interacting with government programs.

Tech & Data

Labor Dept. Pilot Taps State Data for a New Look at Who is Getting Unemployment Benefits

Data on access to unemployment insurance broken down by demographics can help program administrators make sure that they help everyone entitled to the benefit access it, the Labor Department says.

Tech & Data

White House Looks to Focus Service Delivery Around ‘Life Events'

The Biden administration is fleshing out a plan to organize government services around the needs of Americans and not around agency org charts.

Tech & Data

Code for America’s CEO on This Moment in Civic Tech

Amanda Renteria talks about the recent customer experience executive order, the nonprofit's work in federal and state government service delivery and what's next.

Finance

There’s No Final Number Yet for Pandemic Fraud, Oversight Leaders Tell Congress

Total fraud levels in pandemic relief programs are upwards of $100 billion, but getting a clear estimate is made difficult by data gaps and ongoing fraud recovery efforts, officials said at a Senate hearing.

Tech & Data

Agencies Shouldn't Use Facial Recognition for ID Verification, Group Says

More than 45 organizations signed a letter asking government agencies, including in states, to stop their use of ID.me or any facial recognition for identity verification.