Will Social Security Get Social Media in the Government 2.0 Age?

by Alexander Howard -

On its 75th anniversary, the Social Security Administration ranks as the largest government program by dollars paid in the United States federal government. It surpasses even discretionary defense and Medicare/Medicaid spending in the federal budget. As the 21st century dawns, new technology and a mandate for open government  from the Obama administration provide an opportunity for the Social Security Administration to “reboot its relationship with the American people,” as its new CIO, Frank Baitman, put it last week. In 2010, whether Social Security can better deliver on its mission through adopting social media, more data, better e-services and mobile technologies is an open question.

According to an independent audit released this month, Social Security’s open government plan now ranks in the top 10 of all federal agencies evaluated by OpenTheGovernment.org. While those look at the quality of open government plans, not implementations, the agency has improved its standing considerably since the first audit

Frank Baitman is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Social Security Administration (SSA). He joined the agency in September 2009. CIO Council: