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Georgia: Improving Outcomes for Children through Data Sharing. Presenter: Sharon L. Hill, PhD Director, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services Presentation to: ISM Conference Date: October 2013. Georgia Department of Human Services. Presentation Outline.
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Georgia: Improving Outcomes for Children through Data Sharing Presenter: Sharon L. Hill, PhD Director, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services Presentation to: ISM Conference Date: October 2013 Georgia Department of Human Services
Presentation Outline • Improving Data Quality: Agency Practice & *SACWIS Preparation for Data Sharing -Educating Staff on Significance of Data Sharing in Improving Outcomes -Ensuring Accuracy & Timeliness of Agency Data -Data Integrity Specialists -Data Quality Methods • Selection of Agencies/Organizations for Data Sharing -Utilization of Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Outcomes & Items -Developing Data Sharing Agreements and Memorandum of Understandings • Examples of Data Sharing Projects & Outcomes -Improving Safety Outcomes: Data Linkage Project with Department of Public Health (vital records) -Improving Well-being Outcomes: Department of Education (access to educational records) & Department of Community Health (access to Medicaid Utilization Data and development of Virtual Health Record) Note: Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
Improving Data Quality Data Sharing begins with ensuring data integrity (accuracy & timeliness)
Data Integrity Specialists • The Data Integrity Specialist (DIS) unit consists of 18 members; including unit manager and three supervisors • Regionally based staff with expertise in policy, practice and Georgia SHINES • Centralized under state office oversight • Peer to peer aspects of communication adds value • Field concerns represented at the state office level; over the shoulder individual support to case managers • Ownership of SACWIS encouraged and modeled
Data Integrity Specialists Duties • Validate the integrity of the data in SACWIS • Provide consultation to field staff on interpreting federal and state reporting measures and outcomes • Provide consultation & guidance to field staff on all data elements • Review and analyze reports to identify trends • Train staff on policy, procedure & good practice using SACWIS • Prepare reports, handbooks and guides for field staff • Participate in design and testing of new functionality in SACWIS
Data Quality Measures • Data Quality Team: Five individuals (Unit manager and four staff) assigned special projects, such as review of adoption cases, to ensure all relevant data elements completed in SACWIS • Quality Assurance Review: Random sample of cases reviewed monthly by staff to ensure data elements conform to Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) requirements; develop trend analyses and provide guidance to staff on correcting noted problems • Monthly Leadership and Staff Meetings: Discuss trends from quality assurance review and develop strategies for improvement
Selection of Agencies/Organizations for Data Sharing • Regular joint planning meetings with internal and external stakeholders on improving safety and well-being outcomes for children • Recommendations from Citizen Review Panels • Analyses of trends in child welfare outcomes -Child fatality/serious injury reviews -Improvements needed in educational, physical and behavioral health needs of children in foster care • Transition of children in foster care from Medicaid fee-for-service to Medicaid Care Managed Organization (CMO)
DFCS Primary Data Sharing Partners • Administrative Offices of the Courts • Anne E. Casey Foundation / Casey Family Services • Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities • Department of Community Health • Department of Education • Department of Public Health • Universities ( public and private) • Private Initiatives / Foundations • Child Placing Agencies (private foster homes) • Child Caring Institutions (congregate care) • Grantees • Individuals
Examples of Data Sharing Projects & Outcomes Existing Data Sharing Projects • Statewide Longitudinal Data System (Department of Education) • Medical and Pharmacology Utilization (Department of Community Health) Data Sharing Projects in Progress • Virtual Health Record (Department of Community Health) • Vital Statistics & Birth Records (Department of Public Health)
Statewide Longitudinal Data System (Department of Education) • What is the primary purpose of the Georgia SHINES and SLDS connection? • To expediently attend to educational needs • To improve educational stability • To help prepare a brighter future for our children • What are the benefits? • Access to historical education information • Indicator for SWD (student with disability) • Academic performance trends — student specific • Historical attendance data • Access to standardized test scores • Access to the unofficial transcript • Assist with case planning
Example of SLDS Information Our staff are able to view attendance trend for each child in foster care.
Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health: Medications Prescribed to Child in Foster Care during the Past Month Currently developing a process to automatically transmit data between DCH and Georgia SHINES.
Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health
Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health
Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health