Project Management

The Federal Coach: Alfonso Batres: A Leadership Veteran

Alfonso Batres has spent nearly three decades working with the community-based Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Readjustment Counseling Vet Centers, starting in the field offices and heading the national program since 1994. The program, which provides counseling, family services, job assistance, medical and benefit referrals, has expanded from 200 to 300 centers in the lastRead… Read more »

5 Ways to Assess Training Results

It is relatively easy to test information learned in a classroom or from a book. That information or new knowledge can be remembered in the short term, but can it be applied in a practical sense? Information retained in the short term is fine for education; for starters, it connects the dots elsewhere in theRead… Read more »

Senators push to let states opt-out of medicaid expansion

States may be able to opt-out of expanding Medicaid coverage if two Senators have their way. Senators Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso introduced a bill last week designed to provide ‘Medicaid flexibility,’ for states. The Senators argue that Medicaid is a drag on state budgets and plans to expand the program under federal health careRead… Read more »

EPA’s Greener Products Portal

Just last week, the EPA launched a new way for purchasers to search for, and find, green products for their business needs. The Greener Products portal is designed for consumers, manufacturers and institutional purchasers looking for a single place to find information on green products. They’ve developed a simple three step process to help youRead… Read more »

GovExpert: David M. Nummy, former US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury

GovExpert is a biweekly interview of high-level authorities on government and government practices. This week’s GovExpert is David Nummy, former US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Finance and Administration. (see full bio below) Questions: On everyone’s mind lately is the current economic crisis, which has created tighter belts across the board for all levelsRead… Read more »

PATCO tests open payment system

PATCO, which provides rail service between Philadelphia (PA) and South New Jersey, is testing a contactless credit card that customers can use for fare payments and other purchases. To participate in the program, commuters can get a Wave and Pay Anywhere Visa card from PATCO and add value at a designated kiosk. For the firstRead… Read more »

FEDERAL HEALTH CARE RATES INCREASE AS WAGES STAY FROZEN

Higher premiums, fewer options await FEHBP enrollees Health care premiums under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program will increase an average of 3.8 percent in January – a significant hike for federal employees and retirees who are enduring frozen wages and cost-of-living adjustments, American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage said today. ThisRead… Read more »