FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2021
PORTLAND, Maine — GovWebworks (GWW) has recently collaborated on an important resource that helps citizens connect with providers so they can receive a vaccine. Available via covidvaccine.idaho.gov, the new Covid-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration System allows Idahoans to add their name to a database so vaccine providers can contact the person to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
“The new pre-registration system is designed to take the frustration out of getting a Covid-19 vaccination appointment,” says Idaho governor Brad Little. “It is user-friendly, easy to understand, and it was built from the ground up with Idahoans in mind.”
Conceived and deployed in just two weeks in conjunction with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW), the reservation system leverages CiviServ, a public sector SaaS tool that connects citizens with services.
“We are proud to work in an organization that could set up a registration system in just two weeks in order to make a direct impact on something that is impacting the entire country,” says John Gordon, GWW’s Director of Software Development. “The Governor of Idaho has celebrated the project, and the director of the Department of Health and Welfare sent a personal email to every member of the team in appreciation.”
This reservation system is vital in the effort to connect available vaccines with citizens who want them. Those who sign up can rest assured that they are in the queue for a vaccine, instead of dealing with the time-consuming effort and uncertainty of contacting many providers.
The orchestrated effort by DHW and GovWebworks has seen immediate use by vaccine seekers in Idaho, some of whom were contacted to make an appointment for a vaccine the same day they registered. Within days after launch, 45,000 Idahoans had already signed up, with about 71 providers logging into the system to claim as many as 66 batches of vaccination registrants.
For more details, see Idaho Takes the Reins on Vaccine Distribution System.
This effort comes on the heels of two previous initiatives to provide online assistance during Covid-19. GovWebworks partnered with 211 Maine and United Ways of Maine to make it easier to find help during the pandemic via the 211maine.org website. GovWebworks also worked with the Maine Office of Behavioral Health to develop the StrengthenME.com website, which provides free anxiety management and resiliency resources for people experiencing stress reactions from the pandemic.
About GovWebworks
GovWebworks is the primary brand of Portland Webworks, a software development firm in Portland, Maine, and part of the national movement to improve digital government services. The mission to increase online access to benefits is especially prescient during the current crisis, with the dramatic increase in remote requests for help. Giving people the ability to easily find and apply for services online, instead of visiting a physical location, can make all the difference. Aligning with organizations like Code for America (CfA), U.S. Digital Service, and 18F, GovWebworks is a sponsor of the local CfA brigade, OpenMaine.
Some of GovWebworks’ other projects include:
- Covid-19 mental health resources portal at StrengthenME
- Online service directory for assistance programs at 211 Maine
- Innovative workforce tools at Minnesota’s CareerForce
Founded in 1999 in Portland, Maine, Portland Webworks develops online applications for private sector companies, and GovWebworks supports public sector agencies in states including Idaho, Washington, and Minnesota, and Maine, with innovative, user-centric solutions that deliver immediate impact to citizens. For more information, visit www.govwebworks.com.
Contact:
Melissa Coleman
Portland Webworks/GovWebworks
(207) 749-3140
melissa.coleman@portlandwebworks.com
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