States have an opportunity to obtain enhanced funding through the Title IV-E program of the Social Security Act to plan, design, develop, and implement a Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS). In exchange for the additional funding provided to a State that elects to implement a SACWIS, the State must agree that the SACWIS will be the sole case management automation tool used by all public and private social workers responsible for case management activities. Furthermore, staff are expected to enter all case management information into SACWIS so it holds a State’s “official case record” – a complete, current, accurate, and unified case management history on all children and families served by the Title IV-B/IV-E State agency. By law, a SACWIS is required to support the reporting of data to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS).
Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems are in some stage of planning, development, implementation, or operations in many States and the District of Columbia to collect and report data on children in care, providers, and services offered by State agencies. A SACWIS is a comprehensive automated case management tool that supports social workers’ foster care and adoptions assistance case management practice. The Division of State Systems (DSS) serves as the focal point for the funding and oversight for SACWIS for the Children’s Bureau. For various reasons, other States elected to utilize other information systems to capture and report data. AFCARS and NCANDS reporting continue to be made through their local system.
Request Training & Technical Assistance
The NRC-CWDT is available to provide customized, State-specific technical assistance in all areas of data collection and reporting. For example, in one State the resource center provided consultation on data conversion and issues that impact it. In another State the resource center offered a review and consultation on enhancing the use of the system by field staff and program managers. The NRC-CWDT also creates the opportunity for peer consultation among similar States who have faced similar issues. Some of the issues addressed in peer consultation include change management, user buy-in, training issues and others. To inquire about technical assistance, please contact us at nrccwdt@cwla.org or call at: 703-263-2024.
