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Planning and Implementing an Information System
The following resources describe different types of data collection and management systems and offer suggestions for planning and implementing a system that meets the needs of its users. Resources include State and local examples.
Child Welfare Technology Training Resources and Materials
State Information Technology Consortium
Offers training presentations, online courses, and recorded web events on topics related to planning and implementing child welfare information systems.
Federal Guidance
Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Contains links to statutes, regulations, and other Federal government issuances related to Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS), as well as general information technology guidance documents.
Child Welfare: Most States Are Developing Statewide Information Systems, But the Reliability of Child Welfare Data Could Be Improved
U.S. General Accounting Office (2003)
Examines barriers experienced by States implementing data collection systems, reviews attempts to overcome those barriers, and offers recommendations for the Federal government to improve the guidelines and assistance provided to States in this area.
An Ecosystems Approach to Human Service Database Design
Coursen
Journal of Technology in Human Services, 24(1), 2006
View Abstract
Describes an approach to knowledge management and performance measurement that captures the interconnectedness of people in the human service environment.
Building and Using Coordinated State Early Care and Education Data Systems: A Framework for State Policymakers (PDF - 2461 KB)
Early Childhood Data Collaborative (2010)
Provides guidance on how to collect and enhance data on early care and education in order to improve the quality of programs and make them more accessible to families. The report also outlines 10 fundamentals of coordinated State data systems.
Evaluating the Impact of Information Technology (PDF - 78 KB)
Fine (2005)
Describes guidelines for evaluating the effects of information technology and helps funders and agencies plan to invest in information technology efforts that will have the greatest possible impact.
Innovations in Technology and Project Management Practices That Can Improve Human Services (PDF - 175 KB)
Human Services Information Technology Advisory Group, Information Technology Association of America (2002)
Describes technology innovations, the challenges of implementing innovations, and a framework for successful human services technology project implementation.
Making Kids Count: Building a Comprehensive National Early Childhood Data and Measurement System for the 21st Century - Executive Summary (PDF - 3739 KB)
UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities (2010)
Discusses the importance of measuring early childhood outcomes and proposes key design principles for a national early childhood data and measurement system developed by the Federal government in collaboration with State and local governments and early childhood service providers.
Model Court Approaches to Information Technology: A Dependency Court Data System Implementation Guide (PDF - 595 KB)
Portune (2002)
Provides guidelines for creating information systems in juvenile dependency courts based on the requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act and the experiences of model courts. Discusses system functions and standards, needs assessment, and system design and implementation.
Recommendations for Improving Child Abuse and Neglect Data and Services for American Indian and Alaska Native Children (PDF - 266 KB)
National Indian Child Welfare Association (2008)
Presents policy and research recommendations for developing a mechanism to enable Tribes to participate in a nationwide child abuse and neglect reporting system.
What We Measure Matters: Data and Case Tracking Innovations in Action: Foster Care Data Collection and Case Tracking Innovations
Home At Last (2006)
View Abstract
Highlights promising efforts by States to collect, manage, and monitor data through the development and use of meaningful case management systems to improve child welfare systems and outcomes for children in foster care.
State and local examples
Building an Effective Child Maltreatment Surveillance System in North Carolina (PDF - 102 KB)
Zolotor, Motsinger, Runyan, & Sanford
North Carolina Medical Journal, 66(5), 2005
Reviews current approaches to child maltreatment surveillance and suggests promising new practices that may improve the collection of continuous and systematic data to identify the magnitude and impact of child abuse and neglect.
Business Technology Strategic Plan 2008-2012: Technology Planning for Better Human Services (PDF - 1790 KB)
Minnesota Department of Human Services (2008)
Identifies information technology strategies to realize the benefits of increased efficiency and effectiveness, improved understanding and better learning, better decision-making, enhanced organizational capabilities, and improved communications.
Leveraging Data to Enhance Management Outcome (PDF - 907 KB)
Arnold-Williams
Policy and Practice, 63, 2005
Describes a comprehensive approach used by the Utah Department of Human Services to invest in technology solutions for better data generation and analysis, leading to enhanced capacity to monitor and manage its programs.