The Modern Policy Wonk Workstation

The web is integral to my work. Here’s a mockup of my workstation on a typical workday (Note that dual monitors are integral to this set up)(click to enlarge): Tweetdeck (for Twitter) Tweetdeck is open almost all day, and I am constantly paying partial attention to it. I have a it broken down into multipleRead… Read more »

SLVHD & UPHA Join Forces “On The Hill”

Today Salt Lake Valley Health Department and the Utah Public Health Association spent the day “On The Hill”, speaking to Utah House Representatives about public health bills in the 2011 General Session. With my microphone in hand, I was lucky enough to speak to both supporters and sceptics of bills such as HB 102 ElectronicRead… Read more »

Contracting Skills Championship

I just read an article that featured memory competitions. For example, at the USA Memory Championship, participants compete in 10 events. One event involves memorizing random digits in a short time and repeating as many as possible. Another is memorizing the order of a card deck and repeating it as fast as possible. I thinkRead… Read more »

US Department of Education brings Youth Engagement to the 21st Century

With support from the White House, the US Department of Education has launched an impressive effort to engage young people in policymaking. First, they announced a National Youth Summit to galvanize youth to shape strategies to provide pathways for all youth – those who are in middle and high school as well as those whoRead… Read more »

DOD’s Personnel Security Clearance Program Timelines Improve

Yesterday the Government Accounting Office (GAO) announced that the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Personnel Security Clearance Program has been removed from the GAO’s list of programs facing significant management challenges. DOD processes the majority of all government-wide security clearances. Clearance processing timelines improved with 90% of initial clearances complete within 49 days, against a targetRead… Read more »

Making Sense of Twitter – the Uber Hashtag

Originally posted at www.thehomelandsecurityblog.com 2011 February 17 tags: #crisisdata, #hashtag, #hsem, #informationsharing, #twitter, SMEM by Sara Estes Cohen I was recently inspired after reading a tweet posted by Hal Grieb, who shared a link to an article on how to communicate a snow event. To ensure the tweet was seen by all potentially interested parties,Read… Read more »

The 5 Cs of Credit

The concept of borrowing money using collateral is called debt financing. Whenever a lender is considering financing a prospective client the very first hurdle that must be achieved is determining the borrower’s credit. It is important to provide ample information within and attached to a formal loan request that speaks to the potential credit question.Read… Read more »

Texas Bills Seek Stricter School Bullying Policies, Addition of “Cyberbullying”

Though most of the focus involving education during the 82nd Texas Legislative Session will be on spending, some advocacy groups and legislators are pushing for education reform in the area of school bullying. School bullying entered into national exposure as a possible rationale behind the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Since then, most statesRead… Read more »

Salt Lake City Aims to Clear the Air

Recently, I was made aware of a great environmental health campaign that was developed for the good people in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although many images of the landscape are picturesque with rolling hills and stunning mountain peaks – that same geography in Salt Lake County, combined with cold winter temperatures and inactive weather patterns,Read… Read more »