Michael Wilkening, an adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom and former head of the state's Health and Human Services agency, has left state government after 25 years.

It's the latest step in the state's effort to simplify its digital services and encourage development of new tools for public safety, public health and beyond.

Michael Wilkening, Gov. Gavin Newsom's innovation adviser, says the state's new digital innovation office will bring user-centered design to agency projects.

In disasters, government officials are called upon to respond and recover. Here are 10 things wish they had known before jumping into action.

Commentary: Undersecretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency says geographic information systems are proving extremely powerful in support of data gathering, integration and emergency response.