The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) has received the La Follette/Gladfelter Award for Innovation in State Government from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. This recognition comes as part of the forum's 33rd annual Salute to Local Government awards, highlighting DSPS's digital license initiative launched earlier this year.
"This is a big deal for our agency," said DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth. "The Salute to Local Government awards celebrate ingenuity and innovations that benefit Wisconsin citizens." Under Governor Tony Evers' administration, DSPS has focused on enhancing service efficiency for its licensed workforce.
The La Follette/Gladfelter Award was established by government reporter Lloyd D. Gladfelter to honor public employees whose innovations improve public services in Wisconsin. Susan Webb Yackee, Director and Professor at the La Follette School, expressed enthusiasm about celebrating DSPS's customer-focused efficiencies.
In February, DSPS introduced a digital license option allowing professionals to download their licenses to Apple or Google wallets. Nearly 25,000 professionals have utilized this feature since its launch. Tyler Technologies collaborated with DSPS on this project. Chad Zadrazil, General Manager of Wisconsin for Tyler Technologies, praised the collaboration: "This project was a win-win for the people of Wisconsin."
The digital license solution offers convenience by enabling professionals to carry proof of licensure on their devices. It includes essential information such as name, profession, and license status on the front side and specialties and expiration date on the back.
This marks the second accolade for the project following a Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government in September.
Secretary Hereth will accept the award alongside Deputy Secretary Jennifer Garrett and Assistant Deputy Secretary Niko Ruud at an upcoming ceremony in November. The Salute Awards also recognized other local governments and school districts like Forest County Potawatomi and Ashland and Bayfield counties.
DSPS issues over 240 unique licenses and operates various regulatory boards while maintaining self-sustainability without general fund tax dollars.
For more details on award winners, visit Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Information from this article can be found here.
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