As the pandemic treads on with cases still surging in many areas, local governments have stepped in to help their residents by working to improve processes, aiding in the transition to telework, and identifying needs within the community. But all of that doesn’t come without its costs and many are working to determine how to regain lost revenue. For now, the CARES Act has provided assistance for government to use, but time to use those funds is running out.
Did you know that you can purchase technology with the CARES Act?
The CARES Act was established to help local governments and organizations lessen the impact that COVID-19 has had on their communities. This relief package includes funding for tech that can assist with remote work and learning. But with the deadline of December 30, 2020 fast approaching, and no one certain that date will be extended, state officials must decide if they want to utilize the state funding towards technology initiatives.
Education, healthcare organizations, State and Tribal governments, and US territories can obtain funding for expenses related to:
Improving telework capabilities for public employees to stay compliant with COVID-19 precautions
Deployment of remote healthcare systems that allow for telehealth and other remote care for patients
Facilitating distance/remote learning- this includes technology improvements
With the 2020 election just a week ago, a COVID-19 vaccine still weeks (or even months away) it’s still quite obvious that garnering the public’s trust is paramount. With CARES funding, local officials have an opportunity to provide critical data and resources to their communities suffering most. Those efforts could be used in developing or implementing a new software application that could help streamline their current infrastructures, allowing for a more transparent experience for local citizens.
For local government offices where data compliance is a top concern they need to key in on tech that can better help them facilitate secure remote work- and on the flip side, allow their citizens to obtain the documentation necessary, both securely and safely.
To learn more about what Fairfield County, OH is doing with their funding- check out this blog.
Here at Extract we have been helping state and local governments for over 20 years by automating key processes like redaction and indexing. The CARES funding could allow for both court and land records offices to facilitate these tasks at a much more efficient and cost-effective rate.
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About the Author: Taylor Genter Taylor is the Marketing Specialist at Extract with experience in data analytics, graphic design, and both digital and social media marketing. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. Taylor enjoys analyzing people’s behaviors and attitudes to find out what motivates them, and then curating better ways to communicate with them.