California invested significantly in new or improved IT systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives, such as deploying a statewide contact tracing platform and systems for vaccine distribution and appointment scheduling, met critical needs that existed long before the pandemic.
With the worst of the pandemic behind us, these efforts continue to expand to better serve the state. Highlands is helping our state clients take what was built for COVID-19 and apply it to other use cases, such as conditions for which California previously did not have a statewide means, or used outdated technology, to support activities that control the spread of disease and save lives. We have already seen enhanced systems help to stem the surge of mpox, and there are future plans to help mitigate the spread and impact of other infectious diseases and conditions.
In 2020, it was heartening to see how quickly California could mobilize resources and implement solutions to combat a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Now that we’re out of emergency mode, I’m pleased to be part of the effort to leverage those investments to achieve a safer and healthier California.