​​How the Kansas Department of Labor Created a Perpetually Adaptive Unemployment Insurance System​

​​How the Kansas Department of Labor Created a Perpetually Adaptive Unemployment Insurance System​

Author: Government Technology Insider January 22, 2026 Duration: 6:11

​Modernizing the technology that supports government services is a primary way state agencies are working to deliver services more efficiently and meet constituent demand. But while implementing new technology is a significant milestone, the challenge of ensuring that systems are capable of delivering on the mission extends far beyond launch day. A perpetually adaptive system—and a mindset to match—are critical to keep systems functional and relevant.

​In our previous podcast, Amber Shultz, Kansas’s Secretary of Labor, shared the four keys to successfully delivering a complex digital transformation project. In today’s episode, we welcome Secretary Shultz back to share her insights on ensuring that the new unemployment insurance system in Kansas can adapt to user needs, evolving policies, and ever-changing technology.


Ever wonder what really happens when a new software platform gets rolled out across a state agency, or how a city decides which cloud provider to trust with its data? The Government Technology Insider Podcast pulls back the curtain on those exact processes. This isn't about theoretical futures; it's a grounded look at the actual work of modernizing public sector systems. Each conversation goes straight to the source, featuring the people who are navigating procurement, implementing security protocols, and managing the day-to-day realities of tech adoption within government frameworks. You'll hear firsthand accounts about the strategic choices that succeed, the unexpected hurdles that arise, and the practical solutions that make a difference. The discussions are candid and detailed, focusing less on hype and more on the tangible lessons learned from recent projects and initiatives. For anyone curious about the real intersection of civic duty and digital innovation, this podcast provides an essential, on-the-ground perspective. Tune in for a clear-eyed view of how technology is being woven into the fabric of government missions, one challenge and one victory at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Government Technology Insider Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep 81 - Agencies Face Challenges in Identity Verification [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:59
Everyone will likely need to access a government website at some point in their life. The ability to ask for and receive essential government benefits and services online is convenient. However, to prevent identity theft…
Ep 79 - Federal IT and the Multi-Cloud Future of Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:58
A little over two years ago, many Americans went home on a regular Friday evening and shared with their family that they would likely need to make some space for a temporary home office. Little did many of them know that…
Ep 78 - The Network as a Service Journey for Government: Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:13
Network as a Service (NaaS) makes government networks more agile and adaptable to changing circumstances at speed. In order to bring NaaS to life for government, there is a four step process, which is mapped out in this…
Ep 77 - The Network as a Service Journey for Government: Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:52
Network as a Service (NaaS) makes government networks more agile and adaptable to changing circumstances at speed. In order to bring NaaS to life for government, there is a four-step process, which is mapped out in this…
Ep 76 - The Network as a Service Journey for Government: Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:37
Network as a Service (NaaS) makes government networks more agile and adaptable to changing circumstances at speed. In order to bring NaaS to life for government, there is a four-step process, which is mapped out in this…
Ep 72 - Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) in the Federal Space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:12
As federal agencies embrace cloud-based applications that create a distributed network, alongside a need for low latency and high throughput, the concept of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is coming more into the foref…