NASCIO releases publication on cross-jurisdictional collaboration

One of the hottest trends in state technology right now is the idea of cross-jurisdictional collaboration where state and local governments team to save money through economies of scale.

In a new report, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers dove into these collaborations to see what makes them work.

“NASCIO is a strong proponent for cross-jurisdictional collaboratives,” said Calvin Rhodes, co-chair of the NASCIO Cross-Jurisdictional Collaboration working group and chief information officer for the state of Georgia. “We believe collaborative arrangements will be successful if they are starting with the right vision and then develop an architecture that is deliberately designed to support that vision. One of the foundational elements of that architecture is cost sharing.”

The publication takes a look at various challenges associated with creating these collaboration, namely the demand for new services as well as changing demands for existing services, along with issues in the supply chain.

“The most effective collaboratives are arrangements that are successful at partnering,” said Brenda Decker, co-chair for the NASCIO Cross-Jurisdictional Collaboration working group and chief information officer for the state of Nebraska. “That partnering aspect requires understanding the motivations and needs of the member organizations. Those member needs are often met through non-financial contributions. An effective collaborative and an effective cost-sharing model for supporting it will account for a variety of member contributions including in-kind contributions. We maintain a statewide or often regional view of economics when we develop these types of comprehensive cost sharing models. A great example of partnering is our Network Nebraska Cost Recovery Model, which is highlighted in this report.”