As 2017 draws to a close, the deadline for transitioning to a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) approaches. August 1, 2018 marks the end of the transition period for Title IV-E agencies to either make the switch to a CCWIS from a S/TACWIS, abandon the CCWIS or build a new CCWIS. Though the transition is not required to be complete by the August 1, 2018 deadline, Title IV-E agencies must begin the process to be eligible for funding options.

It is not required for these agencies to transition to a CCWIS module, however the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information rule allows agencies to design an information system that best meets their needs. This removes the necessity to use a single comprehensive system, such as a S/TACWIS, when it may not meet the agency’s needs. The rule was put in place to give agencies more flexibility, and to make IT integration easier by lowering implementation and development costs. A compliant CCWIS system must meet several criteria outlined in the rule, however agencies have the freedom to determine specific executions, functions and design themselves.

To be eligible for federal financial participation, Title IV-E agencies must make a determination of how to move forward with their IT system. This 24 month window which began in August of 2016 gives agencies an opportunity to build a system that works best for them, and utilize the efficiency and collaborative tools that modern technology provides.

Today, there are still 18 state governments that do not have SACWIS. The other 32 states are running slow, heavy, and outdated platforms that struggle to be considered functional. This has left many human services agencies without the essential technology which has become standard in most industries.

Many states have adopted or attempted to adopt a closed software system to adhere to SACWIS requirements. With heavy coding responsibilities and system maintenance alongside a difficult user interface, many state human services departments have become frustrated with this integration. Many of these tools have created lengthy workflows, and added more complications while providing little in the way of process improvements. Noticing this difficult adoption process, many departments and agencies are leery of utilizing IT solutions.

The introduction of cloud-based SACWIS solutions and case management software provides a potential solution to these problems. Built on platforms which have been rigorously tested and streamlined to be intuitive and simple, cloud-computing programs give human services departments a chance to utilize the highest level of IT without additional integration frustration. As more agencies discover the agility and time-savings offered by these case management software options, more services and staff will be available to actively assist families, instead of being mired in administrative tasks.

A recent investigation into Kansas’s state foster care system revealed that over 70 children are currently unaccounted for. Addressing the outrage from Kansas lawmakers, major foster care system contractors responded that the numbers represented 1 percent of children in foster care, which is considered in line with the national average.

The disappearance of children from the foster care system can arise from many situations. Many run away from foster care homes and return to biological families, friends, or other contacts. Some children stay in contact with their foster homes or eventually return, and others do not. While these activities are not unknown to child welfare agencies and staff anywhere in the country, Kansas lawmakers were particularly troubled by a lack of reporting. Many cases of missing children were not properly reported, creating additional obstacles to locating them and returning them to their homes.