Modernizing the Child Welfare Services System in California
Challenge
The California Department of Social Services needed to support the delivery of child welfare services across 58 independently administered county programs. This included maintaining and enhancing the Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) to strengthen consistency and compliance statewide and adapt to evolving policy and reporting requirements.
Solution
For nearly two decades, we have supported California’s CWS/CMS through ongoing maintenance, enhancement, and technical assistance, demonstrating our ability to deliver IT solutions that adapt to the state’s complex and evolving needs. Our support includes:
- Standardizing core case management functions to strengthen data accuracy, compliance, and collaboration statewide
- Enabling real-time access to critical information
- Improving reporting and quality oversight
- Delivering guidance that keeps technology aligned with policy and frontline needs
58 counties
Operating on a single statewide system
11
Functional components standardized, including intake, case management, and placements
450 social workers
Engaged across agencies and the state to identify shared needs and priorities for children and families.
Learn More About This Project
Strengthening Statewide System Performance
We support the requirements development, testing, implementation, and post-implementation of the CWS/CMS, ensuring Capability Maturity Model (CMM) compliance and up-to-date documentation and training. In partnership with the state, we’ve enabled real-time case access, compliant data exchanges, legacy data conversion, electronic scheduling, and decision support tools for risk, needs, and eligibility.
Continuous System Enhancement
We enhance the CWS/CMS through scheduled releases and user-experience improvements, including developing prototypes, improving navigation and accessibility, and introducing functionality that supports evolving data, policy, and reporting needs across counties. In addition, we update training documentation and training environment data for annual and interim builds.
Bridging Policy and IT Expertise
Our team brings experience navigating complex state operations to bridge the gap between business and IT. We translate policy, business rules, operational practices, and user needs into clear system requirements and practical solutions, while fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Our child welfare experts understand both the policy and operational context behind system changes, helping ensure technology supports the needs of the people who use it and the programs they deliver.
Using Data to Drive Improvement
Our child welfare experts excel at using findings and performance data from the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) to identify areas for improvement and inform planning efforts, including county System Improvement Plans. They also translate data findings into practice and operational changes that drive better outcomes.
Discover how we can help your team drive meaningful change.
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