Modernizing the Child Welfare Services System in California

Challenge

The California Department of Social Services needed to deliver child protection services across 58 independently administered county programs. This included modernizing and maintaining 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, California has relied on sustained modernization and technical assistance to operate a single, Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) platform. 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

Enabled real-time information sharing for:

Learn More About This Project

Strengthening Statewide System Performance

California receives end-to-end system support for the design, development, testing, implementation, and post‑implementation support of SACWIS, 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 Modernization

We enhance the system 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.

Man leading a virtual meeting in his home office

Bridging Policy and IT Expertise

Our team provides subject matter experts with experience in complex state operations to effectively bridge the gap between business and IT, ensuring strong collaboration with stakeholders and state staff buy-in.