Business Case
Child welfare workers are the most efficient when untied from their office workstation. Field work happens frequently, and it happens fast. Texas and CMA imagined a system that would allow these workers to capture all the documentation they need out in the field. Whatever their mobile device can record (notes, handwriting, voice, signatures, and more) could be seamlessly brought back to the main system. The field worker could concentrate on doing their work, not recording their work.
The Solution
CMA did, in cooperation with Texas, pioneer the development of tablet-based mobile systems and in Java-based development of fully web-enabled Child Welfare systems.
mCPS (mobile Child Protective Services) and mRPI (mobile Resource/Provider Inspection) document everything you can capture on your device, working on handheld devices like smartphones and tablets, as well as laptops.
CMA developed the mCPS module to enhance child safety through increased client contact and casework quality by streamlining the documentation process. CMA developed the mRPI module for Child Care Licensing (CCL) representatives and investigations workers. This application was built to focus on program requirements and to provide usability while in the field.
Before these mobility options, inspections and investigations were documented on paper forms and using handwritten notes while in the field. Collected data was entered into a system when the caseworker returned to the office. Our applications allow caseworkers to view and update data while in the field, without requiring a connection to the network or the Internet.
What’s more: No changes were needed to the core system, because replication occurs on the data level. Our applications are available in Java and .Net versions, and the mobile solution framework supports Android and IOS development integration.
The Results
Findings show that CPS workers feel more productive, effective, and capable of delivering higher-quality service with these added resources.
- 76% reported an increase in documentation timeliness since receiving a tablet solution.
- 63% of CPS caseworkers reported an increase in documentation quality since receiving a tablet solution.
- 90% of respondents reported that they were “very pleased” with the overall performance of their tablet solution.
“I did a removal and placed a child in a foster home over an hour from the office, after business hours. The foster mom needed the child’s Medicaid number. Instead of having to wait until the next day when I got back to the office, I was able to look it up on IMPACT on my tablet in her home. It really helped a lot!!” — CPS Caseworker