Aug. 17, 2009, 12 a.m. - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced that four Virginia information technology programs have been named finalists in the National Association of State Chief Information Officers  2009 Recognition Awards program.

 

“The NASCIO awards are a hard-earned and highly competitive honor,” Kaine said. “Being a finalist is a tremendous honor. Such national recognition helps make Virginia more visible on the national level and focuses on the commonwealth as a leader among state governments.”

 

The Virginia finalists by category include:

·         Virginia Performs: Virginia's Performance Leadership and Accountability System - Data, Information and Knowledge Management category;

·         University IT Internships, Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy - Cross Boundary Collaboration category;

·         Virginia Technology Portfolio 2.0, Commonwealth Project Management Division at the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) - IT Project and Portfolio Management category;

·         Virginia.gov Portal Widgets, VITA Communications and Virginia Interactive - Government to Citizen category.

 

 

          Kaine also announced that eight organizations received a total of $2.8 million in grant funding to expand and improve community-based programs and services that address the needs of people with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and their families.  Funding was awarded by the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund Advisory Board, and involves projects that include internet intervention, life skills training, clubhouse expansion, and post secondary education for veterans with spinal cord injury.  The grant period is from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.

 

            “The Commonwealth is committed to improving the treatment and care of Virginians with these types of injuries and continues to seek innovative, community-based rehabilitation programs to better serve this growing disability population,” Kaine said. “I am particularly pleased that the funds will support efforts in Virginia to assist our ‘Wounded Warriors’ and their families.”

 

Based on current Virginia census estimates, nearly 85,000 Virginians are disabled as a result of traumatic brain injury, and more than 900,000 are disabled because of a stroke.

 

“In these difficult economic times, we are thrilled to still be able to offer grants which increase our Commonwealth's ability to respond to the ever-growing needs of persons with spinal cord and brain injuries,” said Jim Rothrock, Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services and standing member of the Advisory Board.