Child welfare computer system roll-out continues

Two additional counties are now using a new child welfare computer system. Caseworkers in Columbiana and Licking counties began using the new Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System, or SACWIS, this week.

"As a former county child welfare director I understand how much this new system will help caseworkers as they work with families," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. 

SACWIS is an Internet-based system that will help county caseworkers and managers with several functions including eligibility, case management and administration of adoption, foster care and child protection cases. The system will be accessible 24 hours a day to more than 5,000 county caseworkers across the state as they work to support and improve the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families.

In August Muskingum County became the first county in the state to use the new system. Several enhancements have been to the system as a result of feedback from the county's caseworkers and supervisors including improved navigation and streamlined print of case plan reports.

"As a pilot county we have worked with ODJFS for more than a year to help make this new system a reality," Muskingum County Children Services Director David Boyer said. "By making important case information from across the state available in an instant, the system will help counties and the state serve the best interests of children."

The roll-out of the system is scheduled to continue through 2007 with all counties to be on board by the end of the year.

The Ohio Office of Information Technology awarded a competitively bid contract to Dynamics Research Corporation to develop and implement the new computer system. The $36 million contract is in effect through 2008. The federal government is paying for half of the cost of the system.

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For more information, contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.