State of California Office of Data & Innovation articles 2026-08-12T21:31:03Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blob/ ODI 2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/next-group-governors-innovation-fellows-begins-transformational-journey/

<p>The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) is proud to welcome the third cohort of the Governor’s Innovation Fellows program. This cohort includes 15 Fellows from 11 departments representing 7 agencies. This new group builds upon the work of two former cohorts of state staff. The Fellows program, managed by ODI, is part of the &#8230; <a title="Next group of Governor’s Innovation Fellows begins transformational journey" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/07/06/next-group-governors-innovation-fellows-begins-transformational-journey/" aria-label="More on Next group of Governor’s Innovation Fellows begins transformational journey">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/california-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-ai-jobs-and-what-comes-next/

<p>California has a question for you. What are your thoughts on AI? You have a way to tell California’s leaders in government how you feel, right now. Your responses will be used to help shape what the state does next. This is not just another comment box that disappears into the void. This is a &#8230; <a title="California wants to hear from you — on AI, jobs, and what comes next" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/05/26/california-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-ai-jobs-and-what-comes-next/" aria-label="More on California wants to hear from you — on AI, jobs, and what comes next">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/new-data-tool-helps-protect-students-private-postsecondary-schools/

<p>A data tool, developed by state employees, is transforming how the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) protects students attending private colleges, vocational schools, and professional training programs. It allows staff to process thousands of institutional reports in seconds to inform enforcement activities. The data model was designed by the California Office of Data and &#8230; <a title="New data tool helps protect students at private postsecondary schools" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/05/13/new-data-tool-helps-protect-students-private-postsecondary-schools/" aria-label="More on New data tool helps protect students at private postsecondary schools">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/how-we-used-ai-lift-voices-california-state-employees/

<p>Engaged California is a new state program managed by the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI). It gives Californians a way to share their thoughts on topics that are important to them. They can connect with other people through respectful discussions and tell their government how they feel. We launched our second engagement last Fall. &#8230; <a title="How we used AI to lift the voices of California state employees" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/04/22/how-we-used-ai-lift-voices-california-state-employees/" aria-label="More on How we used AI to lift the voices of California state employees">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/building-statewide-data-science-community-practice/

<p>In January 2025, CalData launched the Data Science Community of Practice. It gathers data scientists to: The community helps us understand the landscape of data science across the state. It also connects people who may work in silos. They have a safe space to ask questions, collaborate, and learn from each other. Building the community &#8230; <a title="Building a statewide Data Science Community of Practice" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/04/07/building-statewide-data-science-community-practice/" aria-label="More on Building a statewide Data Science Community of Practice">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/california-breakthrough-milestone-first-cohort-governors-innovation-fellows-graduates/

<p>Last summer, 21 state workers walked into a training room at the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI). Each is a subject matter expert in their field, representing 9 agencies and 15 departments. Their goal? To find ways to make California government more efficient, effective, and engaged as the first cohort of the Governor’s Innovation &#8230; <a title="California Breakthrough milestone: First cohort of Governor’s Innovation Fellows graduates" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/02/18/california-breakthrough-milestone-first-cohort-governors-innovation-fellows-graduates/" aria-label="More on California Breakthrough milestone: First cohort of Governor’s Innovation Fellows graduates">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/state-employees-share-ideas-making-california-government-more-efficient/

<p>What you need to know: Relying on the state workforce’s expertise in delivering services for Californians, the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) invited employees to participate in the Engaged California program, to share their recommendations on how to improve government efficiency.&nbsp; February 10, 2026, Sacramento, CA: Californians show up to work each day with &#8230; <a title="State employees share ideas on making California government more efficient" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/02/10/state-employees-share-ideas-making-california-government-more-efficient/" aria-label="More on State employees share ideas on making California government more efficient">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/efficiency-in-action-combating-ebt-theft-data-machine-learning/

<p>Benefit theft is a serious issue nationwide, including California. While California counties, who administer benefits, work as quickly as possible to reimburse theft victims, this has been a persistent issue that impacts critical safety net programs, such as CalFresh and CalWORKs. California, in partnership with federal and local officials, continues to take steps to mitigate &#8230; <a title="Efficiency in action: Combating EBT theft with data and machine learning" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2026/01/20/efficiency-in-action-combating-ebt-theft-data-machine-learning/" aria-label="More on Efficiency in action: Combating EBT theft with data and machine learning">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/la-wildfire-survivors-align-on-action-plan-to-rebuild/

<p>Participants in the state’s deliberative democracy program, Engaged California, identified their top priorities for rebuilding their communities. What you need to know: The state’s pilot digital democracy conversation has wrapped, allowing Angelenos over a 6-month period to share their needs for recovery and prioritize efforts to rebuild following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires. SACRAMENTO, &#8230; <a title="LA wildfire survivors align on action plan to rebuild" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/11/21/la-wildfire-survivors-align-on-action-plan-to-rebuild/" aria-label="More on LA wildfire survivors align on action plan to rebuild">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/respecting-taxpayers-time-clear-communication/

<p>Today is International Plain Language Day. In honor of the day, we share this story of how we used plain language to improve services for Californians. The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) works with state departments to help them communicate clearly with the public. We authored California’s plain language standard and offer training through &#8230; <a title="Respecting taxpayers’ time through clear communication" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/10/13/respecting-taxpayers-time-clear-communication/" aria-label="More on Respecting taxpayers’ time through clear communication">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/governors-innovation-fellows-launches-part-of-state-efficiency-executive-order/

<p>What you need to know: 21 state employees, representing 9 agencies and 15 departments from across California, are now part of the state’s first Innovation Fellows program. This prestigious group represents a key part of the Governor’s latest executive order to develop more efficient, effective, and engaged services for Californians. Sacramento &#8211; The State of &#8230; <a title="Governor’s Innovation Fellows launches as part of state efficiency executive order" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/08/14/governors-innovation-fellows-launches-part-of-state-efficiency-executive-order/" aria-label="More on Governor’s Innovation Fellows launches as part of state efficiency executive order">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/building-future-government-together-highlights-codefest/

<p>The State of California’s new program, Engaged California, is being managed and developed by the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI). ODI works collaboratively with state agencies and stakeholders to improve services for Californians. We use data, human-centered design training, and technology to create services that are easier for everyone to use. Our work uses &#8230; <a title="Building the future of government together: Highlights from Codefest" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/08/08/building-future-government-together-highlights-codefest/" aria-label="More on Building the future of government together: Highlights from Codefest">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/california-engage-247000-state-employees-create-new-innovations-state-government/

<p>The Office of Data and Innovation will use the state’s new Engaged California platform in a new statewide conversation designed to make California more efficient, effective, and engaged As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order to advance government effectiveness and efficiency (N-30-25), the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) has launched the state’s second &#8230; <a title="California to engage 247,000 state employees to create new innovations in state government" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/08/05/california-engage-247000-state-employees-create-new-innovations-state-government/" aria-label="More on California to engage 247,000 state employees to create new innovations in state government">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/building-efficiencies-through-odis-analytics-accelerator-service/

<p>Data can help us find insights and make faster decisions. It can also take a lot of time to process and analyze. At the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), our mission is to drive innovation across California state government. We use data, technology, and human-centered design to achieve equitable outcomes for all Californians and &#8230; <a title="Building efficiencies through ODI’s Analytics Accelerator service" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/07/25/building-efficiencies-through-odis-analytics-accelerator-service/" aria-label="More on Building efficiencies through ODI’s Analytics Accelerator service">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/fire-survivors-shaping-la-fire-rebuilding-action-plan-engaged-california/

<p>Innovation isn’t about inventing something new. Innovation happens when you improve upon an existing technology, or process, in order to make a difference for the person who is using it or needs it. Engaged California is the state’s new deliberative democracy program that is designed to amplify the voices of Californians. It’s been touted by &#8230; <a title="Fire survivors are shaping the LA Fire Rebuilding Action Plan through Engaged California" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/07/21/fire-survivors-shaping-la-fire-rebuilding-action-plan-engaged-california/" aria-label="More on Fire survivors are shaping the LA Fire Rebuilding Action Plan through Engaged California">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/meet-calacademys-senior-innovation-trainer-virginia-hamilton/

<p>CalAcademy is celebrating two major milestones. First, it’s our one-year anniversary! Launched in 2024, we are proud to say that we have trained 5,000 state workers in our innovative skills curriculum. This spring, CalAcademy launched a new course offering — the Human-Centered Design (HCD) Dash — and added a new team member: Virginia Hamilton. She &#8230; <a title="Meet CalAcademy’s Senior Innovation Trainer, Virginia Hamilton" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/06/26/meet-calacademys-senior-innovation-trainer-virginia-hamilton/" aria-label="More on Meet CalAcademy’s Senior Innovation Trainer, Virginia Hamilton">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/listening-first-what-angelenos-taught-us-about-recovery-after-the-fires/

<p>Starting in March, we began a first-in-the-nation pilot in response to a natural disaster. We launched Engaged California to create a two-way conversation with those impacted by the LA fires. While the program exists independently of the response, the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace were honored to &#8230; <a title="Listening first: What Angelenos taught us about recovery after the fires" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/06/06/listening-first-what-angelenos-taught-us-about-recovery-after-the-fires/" aria-label="More on Listening first: What Angelenos taught us about recovery after the fires">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/new-calacademy-training-for-state-workers-helps-build-a-product-approach-to-public-service/

<p>Providing exceptional customer service for Californians begins with understanding the needs of the people we serve. At the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), we work with other state departments to help provide better services through training, research, data analysis, and human-centered design. Our latest CalAcademy course for the state workforce is Introduction to a &#8230; <a title="New CalAcademy training for state workers helps build a product approach to public service" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/05/21/new-calacademy-training-for-state-workers-helps-build-a-product-approach-to-public-service/" aria-label="More on New CalAcademy training for state workers helps build a product approach to public service">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/celebrating-a-collaborative-win-for-la-fires-recovery-efforts/

<p>We’re proud to share that the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), in partnership with the California Department of Technology (CDT), received the 2025 California CIO IT Team Leadership Award on April 16.&nbsp; The recognition, at the 2025 California Public Sector CIO Academy, celebrates the state’s efforts in building a rapid response website for survivors &#8230; <a title="Celebrating a collaborative win for LA fires recovery efforts" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/04/18/celebrating-a-collaborative-win-for-la-fires-recovery-efforts/" aria-label="More on Celebrating a collaborative win for LA fires recovery efforts">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/engaged-california-the-conversation-begins/

<p>Engaged California has officially launched, and more than 6,000 people have already signed up to participate. Governor Newsom recently called out the strong start to the program in his recent press release and video. Those who opted in for the first use case–focused on the LA wildfire recovery efforts–have accepted their invitation to join the &#8230; <a title="Engaged California: The conversation begins" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/03/21/engaged-california-the-conversation-begins/" aria-label="More on Engaged California: The conversation begins">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/engaging-californians-realizing-governor-newsoms-vision-together/

<p>When we first got the call from Governor Newsom to help shape what would become Engaged California, we were both honored and excited. As longtime advocates for inclusive governance, it was clear this program was a chance to help Californians connect with each other and their government in more meaningful, modern ways—truly embodying the vision &#8230; <a title="Engaging Californians: Realizing Governor Newsom’s vision, together" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/02/25/engaging-californians-realizing-governor-newsoms-vision-together/" aria-label="More on Engaging Californians: Realizing Governor Newsom’s vision, together">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/collaboration-and-human-centered-design-key-to-new-genai-website/

<p>A brand new website, designed to serve as a one-stop resource for state staff and the innovator community has launched. GenAI.ca.gov is a new digital resource that continues to deliver upon Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order on Generative AI (EO N-12-23). The site answers key questions that state teams may have as they work through &#8230; <a title="Collaboration and human-centered design key to new GenAI website" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2025/01/03/collaboration-and-human-centered-design-key-to-new-genai-website/" aria-label="More on Collaboration and human-centered design key to new GenAI website">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/supporting-californians-in-a-time-of-loss-using-plain-language-standards/

<p>Writing in plain language is an essential part of ODI’s mission to work to achieve exceptional, equitable, outcomes for all Californians. Plain language is text your audience can understand the first time they read it. It can especially help people in a time of crisis, including the loss of a loved one. CalAcademy is ODI&#8217;s &#8230; <a title="Supporting Californians in a time of loss using plain language standards" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/12/19/supporting-californians-in-a-time-of-loss-using-plain-language-standards/" aria-label="More on Supporting Californians in a time of loss using plain language standards">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/odi-in-action-forecasting-community-water-system-outages/

<p>The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) collaborates with state departments to improve services for Californians. We help teams across the state make customer-focused, data-driven decisions. ODI partnered with the California State Water Resources Control Board&#8217;s (Water Boards) Division of Drinking Water to forecast the impact of drought on our community water systems. In this &#8230; <a title="ODI in action: Forecasting community water system outages" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/12/17/odi-in-action-forecasting-community-water-system-outages/" aria-label="More on ODI in action: Forecasting community water system outages">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/a-journey-to-public-service-meet-the-states-new-assistant-chief-data-officer/

<p>It’s an honor to be the State of California’s new Assistant Chief Data Officer! I’m immensely grateful to be trusted with this responsibility by Governor Newsom, the Director of the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), Jeffery Marino, and California’s State Chief Data Officer, Jason Lally. ODI’s vision of a California state government that is equitable, &#8230; <a title="A journey to public service: Meet the state’s new Assistant Chief Data Officer" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/09/26/a-journey-to-public-service-meet-the-states-new-assistant-chief-data-officer/" aria-label="More on A journey to public service: Meet the state’s new Assistant Chief Data Officer">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/the-power-of-partnerships-a-visit-with-the-u-s-census-bureau/

<p>The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) had the honor of welcoming Robert L. Santos, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, to our Sacramento headquarters on June 12. Director Santos joined ODI Director Jeffery Marino and Amy Tong, Secretary of the Government Operations Agency (GovOps), as part of the bureau’s planning for the 2030 Census. &#8230; <a title="The power of partnerships: a visit with the U.S. Census Bureau" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/08/14/the-power-of-partnerships-a-visit-with-the-u-s-census-bureau/" aria-label="More on The power of partnerships: a visit with the U.S. Census Bureau">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/odi-and-calhr-launch-foundations-of-genai-certificate-series/

<p>The California Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) and the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) are partnering to provide skills and knowledge training to prepare state staff to safely deploy generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools.&nbsp; A new learning pathway, the Foundations of GenAI Certificate, is available now for current state employees looking to grow &#8230; <a title="ODI and CalHR launch Foundations of GenAI Certificate series" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/08/01/odi-and-calhr-launch-foundations-of-genai-certificate-series/" aria-label="More on ODI and CalHR launch Foundations of GenAI Certificate series">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/is-it-a-product/

<p>Delivering a project on time and on budget is traditionally cause for a celebration. It means that tasks have been checked off, and the deliverable has been met. But is the work really over? (Should it be?) Those questions are the mindset difference between traditional project management and product management. For the Office of Data &#8230; <a title="Is it a product? How ODI embraces product mindset" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/06/03/is-it-a-product/" aria-label="More on Is it a product? How ODI embraces product mindset">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/building-californias-future-plain-language/

<p>In January 2024, California launched Building California’s future (build.ca.gov). It&#8217;s a website that shares how the state is investing billions in infrastructure. The key to all this transparency? Making it easy to understand with plain language. Plain language is text your audience can understand the first time they read it.&nbsp; A historic opportunity Infrastructure funding &#8230; <a title="Building California’s future with plain language" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/05/07/building-californias-future-plain-language/" aria-label="More on Building California’s future with plain language">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/odi-launches-calacademy-training-program/

<p>The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) is beginning 2024 with an important new initiative. As part of our mission to build a culture of innovation within state government, ODI is launching its training program known as CalAcademy. The goal is simple: to make sure state workers have access to learn 21st Century innovative skills &#8230; <a title="Office of Data and Innovation launches CalAcademy training Program" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2024/02/09/odi-launches-calacademy-training-program/" aria-label="More on Office of Data and Innovation launches CalAcademy training Program">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/odi-cal-oes-receive-award-for-best-it-collaboration/

<p>Collaboration for the win! The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) and Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) are proud to have earned a joint award for Best IT Collaboration. The award was announced at the California Government Innovation Summit in Sacramento on September 19.&nbsp; The recognition is for our innovative, collaborative, and human-centered design &#8230; <a title="ODI, Cal OES receive award for best IT collaboration" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2023/09/26/odi-cal-oes-receive-award-for-best-it-collaboration/" aria-label="More on ODI, Cal OES receive award for best IT collaboration">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/helping-more-families-to-enroll-in-calworks/

<p>California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) is a major safety net program. A recent study estimated 40% of eligible families are not enrolled in CalWORKs. The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) worked with the Department of Social Services to explore enrollment barriers. We learned that: Learn more about the details of helping &#8230; <a title="Helping more families to enroll in CalWORKs" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2023/09/18/helping-more-families-to-enroll-in-calworks/" aria-label="More on Helping more families to enroll in CalWORKs">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/helping-californians-have-a-voice-in-toxic-cleanup-projects/

<p>The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) gives Californians the opportunity to comment on proposed toxic substance cleanup projects. They wanted to bring in people who have historically not been part of making decisions. The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) worked with DTSC to find ways to give these communities a bigger voice in &#8230; <a title="Helping Californians have a voice in toxic cleanup projects" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2023/08/14/helping-californians-have-a-voice-in-toxic-cleanup-projects/" aria-label="More on Helping Californians have a voice in toxic cleanup projects">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/helping-to-connect-more-victims-with-the-benefits-they-deserve/

<p>The California Victims Compensation Board (CalVCB) offers financial assistance to victims of crime. While violent crime has gone up over time in California, applications for compensation have gone down. The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) worked with CalVCB to: We learned that: Learn more about the details of getting compensation to more California crime &#8230; <a title="Helping to connect more victims with the benefits they deserve" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2023/07/31/helping-to-connect-more-victims-with-the-benefits-they-deserve/" aria-label="More on Helping to connect more victims with the benefits they deserve">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/engaging-californians-through-facebook/

<p>One duty of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is to oversee permitting and cleanups of toxic substances. This includes engaging with the communities near properties where environmental cleanup is necessary.  In an effort to increase public comment, the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) and DTSC worked on expanding engagement with Californians. We &#8230; <a title="Engaging Californians through Facebook" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2023/06/20/engaging-californians-through-facebook/" aria-label="More on Engaging Californians through Facebook">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/successful-software-development-is-a-collaborative-process/

<p>ODI and the California Department of Technology (CDT) won Best IT Collaboration for our combined efforts on the California Design System. We accepted the award at the Digital Government Summit in Sacramento.&nbsp; The Design System is a set of core principles, style guidelines, and components that makes it easier for state departments to develop user-friendly &#8230; <a title="Successful software development is a collaborative process" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2022/10/11/successful-software-development-is-a-collaborative-process/" aria-label="More on Successful software development is a collaborative process">Read more</a></p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/we-are-now-the-office-of-data-and-innovation/

<p>Same initials, new expanded team.</p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/why-we-use-content-design/

<p>We talk about content design a lot. Here’s what it is and why we use it.</p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/the-everyday-magic-of-plain-language/

<p>ODI uses plain language in its projects to make sure all Californians get the information they need.</p>

2026-08-12T21:30:30Z https://innovation.ca.gov/blog/posts/odis-content-design-principles-for-better-services/

<p>Our mission at the Office of Digital Innovation (ODI) is to deliver better government services to the people of California through technology and design. We do this work in partnership with other state departments. One of the ways we support our partner departments and help strengthen state services is by sharing what we learn through &#8230; <a title="ODI’s content design principles for better services" class="read-more" href="https://live-digital-ca-gov.pantheonsite.io/2021/11/10/odis-content-design-principles-for-better-services/" aria-label="More on ODI’s content design principles for better services">Read more</a></p>