The series shines a light on organizations changing lives throughout the United States. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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USA Today features Code for America in new documentary series, America 250

 

Code for America is proud to have been featured in USA Today’s America 250 series. The series shines a light on organizations that are changing lives throughout the United States in commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary.


“Too many people can’t access government help—not because it doesn’t exist, but because the system is too complicated to navigate. Code for America fixes that. We build the tools that make it simple to sign up for food assistance, file for a tax refund, or find the services that can change your life,” explains Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America, in the documentary feature. “When government works the way it should, people thrive.”


Check out the full episode on our YouTube channel.

Civic tech stories and best practices

Civic tech stories and best practices

The Next 250 Years Are Ours to Build
The choices we make now—where we deploy our most powerful tools, who we design for, and whether we use innovation to concentrate opportunity or expand it—will help define the future of our country for the next 250 years.

 

Thoughtfully Implementing Technology at the Local Level

From 2022 to 2026, Code for America partnered with several organizations across Memphis, Tennessee to strengthen connections between young adults and economic opportunities. The project explored how a shared digital tool could help government agencies and community-based organizations coordinate services, share information, and better support residents. We’re taking those lessons-learned and distilling them into best practices for implementing at the local level.

 

Helping States Respond to the New Medicaid Rules

Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released their official guidance for Medicaid work requirements, and states have until January 1, 2027 to make changes. Tight deadlines and ongoing uncertainty present major challenges for states and eligible recipients alike. But states don’t have to go through this process alone. Code for America has 15 years of experience partnering with agencies to improve systems, create better workflows for caseworkers, and ease the burden on clients.

 

Helping Families Get Every Dollar They’re Eligible For

Starting July 4th, 2026, the federal government will deposit $1,000 into new investment accounts for kids—if their families sign up. These investments will go into 530A accounts, otherwise known as Trump Accounts. We believe it’s important for families to have the facts and know what their options are, especially for benefits and services designed with children in mind. That’s why we built a guide to help families make informed decisions around 530A accounts.

 

Code for America Statement on Clean Slate Law in Missouri

This month, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed SB 1421 into law, which includes clean slate provisions. This is a victory not only for the state but also for the entire Clean Slate movement. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have passed automatic record sealing laws, eliminating old criminal records from background checks so that people can move forward without the burden of their criminal history.

In the news

  • California agencies get access to Anthropic’s AI tools at half price [StateScoop]
    Rather than pursuing isolated AI pilots, California has sought enterprise agreements that allow agencies to share best practices while establishing governance standards. This month, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state has a new contract with Anthropic to provide agencies access to Claude, with the aim of improving government operations and public services.
  • Colorado Partners with Code for America to Simplify Tax Filing for Eligible Families [Colorado]
    Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced a new partnership this month with Code for America to make the free SimpleFile tool easily available to low-income Coloradans who qualify for the Colorado Child Tax Credit or Family Affordability Tax Credit. This effort builds on Colorado’s ongoing work to simplify tax filing and ensure eligible families receive tax credits they qualify for but may not know about.
  • Governor Sherrill Announces New Website to Help Qualifying Families Easily Access Child Tax Credit [New Jersey]
    New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill recently announced the launch of SimpleFile, a free website that will help thousands of lower-income New Jersey families quickly apply for the state's refundable Child Tax Credit. SimpleFile is the latest in a series of actions by the Sherrill administration to ensure New Jersey's children receive the support to which they are entitled, and a model of what happens when state entities work collaboratively to deliver results for the people they serve.
  • The Caseworker in the Age of AI: Protecting Discretion While Embracing Automation [American Society for Public Administration]
    The strongest argument for AI in public benefits offices is the honest one. AI tools can help time-constrained caseworkers reduce workloads and focus on the cases that need more personal involvement. Code for America and Anthropic recently built a SNAP policy navigator that answers a caseworker’s policy questions but deliberately leaves the eligibility call with the worker. That distinction matters: support, not substitution. 

Events

FF 2026 email header STD

Save the date!

Presented by Code for America and the

Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University
September 16, 2026


Mark your calendar for FormFest 2026—the premier virtual event dedicated to improving government services through better forms and digital experiences. From benefits applications to tax filing and beyond, forms shape how people experience government every day. At FormFest, government leaders, designers, technologists, researchers, and civic innovators come together to explore how human-centered design and modern digital tools can make services more accessible, effective, and responsive.
 

Join us for conversations, practical sessions, and real-world examples focused on reducing administrative burdens, building trust, and helping government work better for everyone. Registration opens on August 4!

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Come work for Code for America!

At Code for America, we work shoulder to shoulder with communities and government to solve society’s toughest problems. Are you ready to help us drive change that lasts? Check out current openings below:

  • Senior Client Success Advocate
  • Lead Product Manager
  • Associate Program Director
  • Program Director
  • Senior Program Manager
  • Staff Solutions Engineer
  • Associate Director, Content Production
  • Emerging Technology & AI Governance & Enablement Lead

 Learn more about working at Code for America here.

Support Code for America

If you’ve never given to Code for America before, there is no better time than right now. Give today—and consider becoming a monthly donor to power this work all year long.

 

Consider making a donation and supporting our work as we work to keep public benefits accessible for the people that need them.

Donate today

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