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[[File:Code for America building 2013-04-13 12-27.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Former Code for America headquarters in San Francisco]]
[[File:Code for America building 2013-04-13 12-27.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Former Code for America headquarters in San Francisco]]


In 2009, the founder [[Jennifer Pahlka]] was working with [[O'Reilly Media]] at the [[Gov 2.0 Summit]] in [[Washington, DC]]. A conversation with Andrew Greenhill, the Mayor's Chief of Staff of the [[Tucson|City of Tucson]], sparked the initial idea for Code for America, when he said "You need to pay attention to the local level, because cities are in major crisis. Revenues are down, costs are up—if we don't change how cities work, they're going to fail."<ref name="FastCompany">{{cite web |title=How an Army of Techies Is Taking On City Hall |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/151/icitizen-bonus.html?page=0,0 |first=Anya |last=Kamenetz |publisher=Fast Company |date=2010-11-29}}</ref> The two began discussing plans for a program that eventually became Code for America, "a one-year fellowship recruiting developers to work for city government".<ref name="FastCompany"/> With support from web entrepreneur Leonard Lin, [[Tim O'Reilly]] of O'Reilly Media, and technologist [[Clay A. Johnson]], among others, the organization was launched in September 2009.<ref name="FastCompany"/>
In 2009, Jennifer Pahlka was working with [[O'Reilly Media]] at the [[Gov 2.0 Summit]] in [[Washington, DC]]. A conversation with Andrew Greenhill, the Mayor's Chief of Staff of the [[Tucson|City of Tucson]], sparked the initial idea for Code for America, when he said "You need to pay attention to the local level, because cities are in major crisis. Revenues are down, costs are up—if we don't change how cities work, they're going to fail."<ref name="FastCompany">{{cite web |title=How an Army of Techies Is Taking On City Hall |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/151/icitizen-bonus.html?page=0,0 |first=Anya |last=Kamenetz |publisher=Fast Company |date=2010-11-29}}</ref> The two began discussing plans for a program that eventually became Code for America, "a one-year fellowship recruiting developers to work for city government".<ref name="FastCompany"/> With support from web entrepreneur Leonard Lin, [[Tim O'Reilly]] of O'Reilly Media, and technologist [[Clay A. Johnson]], among others, the organization was launched in September 2009.<ref name="FastCompany"/>


In July 6, 2010, the organization announced it would be recruiting fellows to participate in an 11 month program with assigned cities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bilton |first=Nick |date=2010-07-06 |title=Changing Government and Tech With Geeks |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/changing-government-and-tech-with-geeks/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Bits Blog |language=en}}</ref> Twenty fellows were selected from 360 applicants.<ref name="GovTech">{{cite web |date=2010-11-03 |title=Code for America Fellows to Work with City Governments |url=http://www.govtech.com/education/Code-for-America-Programmers-City-Governments.html |access-date=2011-01-15 |publisher=Government Technology}}</ref> [[Boston]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Washington, DC]], and [[Seattle]] were the four cities selected to participate in the 2011 program.<ref name="FastCompany 2">{{cite web |date=2011-01-05 |title=Hacker Driven Code for America Kicks Off Today |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1714303/code-for-america-kicks-off-hacker-version-of-teach-for-america |access-date=2011-01-15 |publisher=Fast Company}}</ref> Fellows partnered with Boston developed an "Adopt a Hydrant" website, so that volunteers in Boston could sign up to shovel out [[fire hydrants]] after storms. The system has now been implemented in Providence, Rhode Island, Anchorage, Alaska, and Chicago. Honolulu created a similar website, "Adopt-A-Siren", for its [[Civil defense siren|tsunami sirens]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raja |first=Tasneem |date=June 2014 |title=Is Coding the New Literacy? |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url=https://www.motherjones.com/media/2014/06/computer-science-programming-code-diversity-sexism-education |access-date=2014-06-21}}</ref> A group of 2015 fellows started the GetCalFresh project, which grew into a multi-year project supported by teams within the organization.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lu |first=Yiren |date=2016-11-10 |title=Why Is It So Hard to Make a Website for the Government? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/13/magazine/design-issue-code-for-america.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/13/magazine/design-issue-code-for-america.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In July 6, 2010, the organization announced it would be recruiting fellows to participate in an 11 month program with assigned cities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bilton |first=Nick |date=2010-07-06 |title=Changing Government and Tech With Geeks |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/changing-government-and-tech-with-geeks/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Bits Blog |language=en}}</ref> Twenty fellows were selected from 360 applicants.<ref name="GovTech">{{cite web |date=2010-11-03 |title=Code for America Fellows to Work with City Governments |url=http://www.govtech.com/education/Code-for-America-Programmers-City-Governments.html |access-date=2011-01-15 |publisher=Government Technology}}</ref> [[Boston]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Washington, DC]], and [[Seattle]] were the four cities selected to participate in the 2011 program.<ref name="FastCompany 2">{{cite web |date=2011-01-05 |title=Hacker Driven Code for America Kicks Off Today |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1714303/code-for-america-kicks-off-hacker-version-of-teach-for-america |access-date=2011-01-15 |publisher=Fast Company}}</ref> Fellows partnered with Boston developed an "Adopt a Hydrant" website, so that volunteers in Boston could sign up to shovel out [[fire hydrants]] after storms. The system was also used in [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]], and [[Chicago]]. [[Honolulu]] created a similar website, "Adopt-A-Siren", for its [[Civil defense siren|tsunami sirens]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raja |first=Tasneem |date=June 2014 |title=Is Coding the New Literacy? |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url=https://www.motherjones.com/media/2014/06/computer-science-programming-code-diversity-sexism-education |access-date=2014-06-21}}</ref> A group of 2015 fellows started the GetCalFresh project, which grew into a multi-year project supported by teams within the organization.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lu |first=Yiren |date=2016-11-10 |title=Why Is It So Hard to Make a Website for the Government? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/13/magazine/design-issue-code-for-america.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/13/magazine/design-issue-code-for-america.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


In 2012, Code for America started supporting local volunteer groups called Brigades. One of the first Brigades, Friendly Code, was out of [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], MI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thursday |first=Molly Crist {{!}} |last2=February 6 |last3=2014 |title=RapidChat: Jonathan Pichot |url=https://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/020614rapidchatjonathanpichot.aspx |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Rapid Growth |language=en}}</ref> The Brigade network eventually grew to 60 chapters. In May, 2020, Code for America ended its affiliation with Brigades. In an interview, Tracey Patterson, Code for America’s chief program officer, "Called the brigades a 'big part' of Code for America’s history, she said its mission has shifted over the years to the point that supporting dozens of decentralized groups isn’t the best use of its resources."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freed |first=Benjamin |date=2023-05-17 |title=Cut loose, Code for America's former local brigades look to regroup |url=https://statescoop.com/code-for-america-former-brigades-regroup/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2012, Code for America started supporting local volunteer groups called Brigades. One of the first Brigades, Friendly Code, was out of [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], MI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thursday |first=Molly Crist {{!}} |last2=February 6 |last3=2014 |title=RapidChat: Jonathan Pichot |url=https://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/020614rapidchatjonathanpichot.aspx |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Rapid Growth |language=en}}</ref> The Brigade network eventually grew to 60 chapters.
In May, 2019, Pahlka announced her intention to step down from her leadership role at Code for America once a replacement was found.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fried |first=Ina |date=2019-05-23 |title=Exclusive: Code For America founder plans to step down |work=[[Axios]] |url=https://www.axios.com/2019/05/23/exclusive-code-for-america-founder-plans-to-step-down}}</ref> On May 1, 2020, Amanda Renteria was named as the new CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fried |first=Ina |date=2020-05-01 |title=Code for America names new CEO |work=[[Axios]] |url=https://www.axios.com/2020/05/01/code-for-america-amanda-renteria-ceo}}</ref>
In May, 2020, Code for America ended its affiliation with Brigades. In an interview, Tracey Patterson, Code for America’s chief program officer, "Called the brigades a 'big part' of Code for America’s history, she said its mission has shifted over the years to the point that supporting dozens of decentralized groups isn’t the best use of its resources."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freed |first=Benjamin |date=2023-05-17 |title=Cut loose, Code for America's former local brigades look to regroup |url=https://statescoop.com/code-for-america-former-brigades-regroup/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref>


On August 4, 2021 Code for America employees announced their intent to unionize with the [[Office and Professional Employees International Union]] (OPEIU) Local1010. "Organizers say 62 people have signed authorization cards, meaning 77 percent of eligible employees have indicated their support for the effort."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schiffer |first=Zoe |date=2021-08-04 |title=Code for America employees are unionizing |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/4/22607889/code-for-america-employees-unionizing |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> On April 27, 2023, negotiations broke down over which employees are eligible to be part of the union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freed |first=Benjamin |date=2023-04-27 |title=Code for America's union negotiations break down |url=https://statescoop.com/code-for-americas-union-negotiations-break-down/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[National Labor Relations Board]] (NLRB) was brought in to settle the dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Lindsay |date=2023-05-17 |title=Code for America's union eligibility to be determined |url=https://statescoop.com/nlrb-to-determine-code-for-america-union-eligibility/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref> The NLRB held hearings which concluded on June 29, but no date has been given as to when the NLRB will share its view on the union eligibility employee positions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Lindsay |date=2023-07-12 |title=Code for America inches closer to union clarity |url=https://statescoop.com/code-for-america-inches-closer-to-union-clarity/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref>
On August 4, 2021 Code for America employees announced their intent to unionize with the [[Office and Professional Employees International Union]] (OPEIU) Local1010. "Organizers say 62 people have signed authorization cards, meaning 77 percent of eligible employees have indicated their support for the effort."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schiffer |first=Zoe |date=2021-08-04 |title=Code for America employees are unionizing |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/4/22607889/code-for-america-employees-unionizing |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> On April 27, 2023, negotiations broke down over which employees are eligible to be part of the union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freed |first=Benjamin |date=2023-04-27 |title=Code for America's union negotiations break down |url=https://statescoop.com/code-for-americas-union-negotiations-break-down/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[National Labor Relations Board]] (NLRB) was brought in to settle the dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Lindsay |date=2023-05-17 |title=Code for America's union eligibility to be determined |url=https://statescoop.com/nlrb-to-determine-code-for-america-union-eligibility/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref> The NLRB held hearings which concluded on June 29, but no date has been given as to when the NLRB will share its view on the union eligibility employee positions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Lindsay |date=2023-07-12 |title=Code for America inches closer to union clarity |url=https://statescoop.com/code-for-america-inches-closer-to-union-clarity/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref>

Revision as of 14:26, 24 October 2023

Code for America
Founder(s)Jennifer Pahlka
EstablishedSeptember 2009
CEOAmanda Renteria[1]
Key peopleArlene Corbin Lewis
EndowmentPrimary sponsors
Location
San Francisco, CA
Websitecodeforamerica.org

Code for America is a 501(c)(3) civic tech non-profit organization that was founded by Jennifer Pahlka in 2009, "to promote ‘civic hacking’, and to bring 21st century technology to government."[2] Federal, state, and local governments often lack the budget, expertise, and resources to efficiently deploy modern software.[3] Code for America partners with governments to help deliver software services, particularly to low income communities and to people who have been left out.[4] "A large population of American citizens in poverty are not connected and exposed to government resources that they are eligible for—nearly US$60,000,000,000 worth of potential benefits for people in need remain unclaimed every year."[4][5] Projects that illustrate the organization's impact include:

  • GetCalFresh - a portal to access food assistance programs in California that lowered the time to complete an application from 45 minutes to under 10 minutes. Users can access benefits from their mobile device and receive text message updates.[6]
  • MNBenefits - a site that allows Minnesota residents to apply for a range of benefits in English or Spanish. Residents can also upload documents and get help via a live chat feature. The site takes what is often an hour long paper process down to a 12 minute task.[7]
  • Clean Slate Initiative - Software that analyzes large datasets of criminal records and pinpoint records eligible to eased or dismissed in states like California, Utah, Illinois.[8][9][10]
  • GetCTC - a streamlined filing tool that enabled low-income families to claim the Child Tax Credit and other tax benefits.[11]
  • GetYourRefund - an online service that allows taxpayers to access Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services virtually.[11]

Safety Net Innovation Lab

In April, 2022, "Code for America received two separate investments, totaling US$100,000,000 over seven years, to set up its Safety Net Innovation Lab and work with state and local government agencies to modernize their social safety net administration services to make access to government services more equitable."[12] The investments were made by Audacious project worth US$64,000,000, and Blue Meridian Partners with US$36,000,000.[12] The project also includes, "expanding agencies’ digital services to boost participation in assistance programs targeting women, infants and children, and developing an integrated benefits application that allows families to apply for and access benefits all in one location."[13] The project includes partnerships with 15 states, announced in cohorts:

The remaining states have yet to be announced as of October, 2023.

History

Former Code for America headquarters in San Francisco

In 2009, Jennifer Pahlka was working with O'Reilly Media at the Gov 2.0 Summit in Washington, DC. A conversation with Andrew Greenhill, the Mayor's Chief of Staff of the City of Tucson, sparked the initial idea for Code for America, when he said "You need to pay attention to the local level, because cities are in major crisis. Revenues are down, costs are up—if we don't change how cities work, they're going to fail."[16] The two began discussing plans for a program that eventually became Code for America, "a one-year fellowship recruiting developers to work for city government".[16] With support from web entrepreneur Leonard Lin, Tim O'Reilly of O'Reilly Media, and technologist Clay A. Johnson, among others, the organization was launched in September 2009.[16]

In July 6, 2010, the organization announced it would be recruiting fellows to participate in an 11 month program with assigned cities.[17] Twenty fellows were selected from 360 applicants.[18] Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Seattle were the four cities selected to participate in the 2011 program.[19] Fellows partnered with Boston developed an "Adopt a Hydrant" website, so that volunteers in Boston could sign up to shovel out fire hydrants after storms. The system was also used in Providence, Anchorage, and Chicago. Honolulu created a similar website, "Adopt-A-Siren", for its tsunami sirens.[20] A group of 2015 fellows started the GetCalFresh project, which grew into a multi-year project supported by teams within the organization.[21]

In 2012, Code for America started supporting local volunteer groups called Brigades. One of the first Brigades, Friendly Code, was out of Grand Rapids, MI.[22] The Brigade network eventually grew to 60 chapters.

In May, 2019, Pahlka announced her intention to step down from her leadership role at Code for America once a replacement was found.[23] On May 1, 2020, Amanda Renteria was named as the new CEO.[24]

In May, 2020, Code for America ended its affiliation with Brigades. In an interview, Tracey Patterson, Code for America’s chief program officer, "Called the brigades a 'big part' of Code for America’s history, she said its mission has shifted over the years to the point that supporting dozens of decentralized groups isn’t the best use of its resources."[25]

On August 4, 2021 Code for America employees announced their intent to unionize with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local1010. "Organizers say 62 people have signed authorization cards, meaning 77 percent of eligible employees have indicated their support for the effort."[26] On April 27, 2023, negotiations broke down over which employees are eligible to be part of the union.[27] The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was brought in to settle the dispute.[28] The NLRB held hearings which concluded on June 29, but no date has been given as to when the NLRB will share its view on the union eligibility employee positions.[29]

On August 31, 2023, Code for America announced a layoff of 35 staff positions, citing the need to adapt to the environment and noting that revenue projections are 20% lower for 2024. The union, still in negotiations with leadership, expressed its disgust with the lack of accountability and notice provided for the layoff.[30]

References

  1. ^ "Code for America names new CEO".
  2. ^ "Code For America Announces Five Companies For Accelerator Program". TechCrunch. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  3. ^ Boyd, E.B. (5 January 2011). "Hacker-Driven "Code for America" Kicks Off Today". Fast Company.
  4. ^ a b Renteria, Amanda (2 May 2022). "A bold plan to transform access to the US social safety net". Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  5. ^ Peters, Adele. "Code for America will help states redesign their public benefits systems". Fast Company. An estimated $60 billion in funding for food assistance and other social safety net programs goes unclaimed each year.
  6. ^ Johnston, Ryan (31 May 2019). "California announces statewide expansion of Code for America food stamp tool". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Minn. Hones Its 'Human-Centered' Benefits Web, Mobile Portal". GovTech. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  8. ^ Garcia-Navarro, Lulu; Bowman, Emma. "Algorithm Targets Marijuana Convictions Eligible To Be Cleared". NPR.
  9. ^ Pace, Eliza (10 February 2022). "Utah's 'clean slate' law goes into effect to expunge old, minor criminal charges". KSLTV.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  10. ^ Freed, Benjamin (27 August 2019). "Code for America's pot-conviction clearance program heads to Illinois". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b "State partners with Code for America, IRS for free e-filing". suncommunitynews.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Code for America Receives $100 Million Investment to Work With SLGs on Safety Net Innovation Lab". www.meritalk.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  13. ^ Wood, Colin (12 April 2022). "Code for America to launch safety-net innovation project after $100M investment". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  14. ^ Freed, Benjamin (18 May 2022). "Code for America's 'Safety Net Innovation Lab' names first 4 states". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  15. ^ McKenzie, Lindsay (23 March 2023). "Code for America unveils second wave of 'Safety Net Innovation Lab' states". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Kamenetz, Anya (29 November 2010). "How an Army of Techies Is Taking On City Hall". Fast Company.
  17. ^ Bilton, Nick (6 July 2010). "Changing Government and Tech With Geeks". Bits Blog. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Code for America Fellows to Work with City Governments". Government Technology. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  19. ^ "Hacker Driven Code for America Kicks Off Today". Fast Company. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  20. ^ Raja, Tasneem (June 2014). "Is Coding the New Literacy?". Mother Jones. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  21. ^ Lu, Yiren (10 November 2016). "Why Is It So Hard to Make a Website for the Government?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  22. ^ Thursday, Molly Crist |; February 6; 2014. "RapidChat: Jonathan Pichot". Rapid Growth. Retrieved 23 October 2023. {{cite web}}: |last3= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Fried, Ina (23 May 2019). "Exclusive: Code For America founder plans to step down". Axios.
  24. ^ Fried, Ina (1 May 2020). "Code for America names new CEO". Axios.
  25. ^ Freed, Benjamin (17 May 2023). "Cut loose, Code for America's former local brigades look to regroup". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  26. ^ Schiffer, Zoe (4 August 2021). "Code for America employees are unionizing". The Verge. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  27. ^ Freed, Benjamin (27 April 2023). "Code for America's union negotiations break down". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  28. ^ McKenzie, Lindsay (17 May 2023). "Code for America's union eligibility to be determined". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  29. ^ McKenzie, Lindsay (12 July 2023). "Code for America inches closer to union clarity". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  30. ^ Wood, Colin (31 August 2023). "Code for America announces layoffs, new organizational strategy". StateScoop. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
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