GOVERNOR CRIST APPLAUDS REVOLUTIONARY HAND HELD DEVICES FOR CHILD WELFARE CASEWORKERS
~~ ~Florida to be first state where caseworkers can immediately upload photos, GPS coordinates and case files in real time~ ~~
July 16, 2009
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today applauded the Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) development of an advanced new Remote Data Capture Solution following a briefing and tour with DCF Secretary George Sheldon at the department’s facility. The Remote Data Capture Solution is expected to revolutionize the way caseworkers and child protective investigators record and store critical information pertaining to child welfare visits.
“This remarkable technology will greatly increase the state’s ability to support and protect Florida’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Governor Crist. “By increasing accountability and the time a caseworker can spend with families, Florida’s children will receive greater care and more opportunities for a bright future.”
Beginning in late August, caseworkers in the Miami area will be provided with a GPS mapping and tracking device that will quickly show caseworkers where they need to be and record where they have been. The device will also be camera ready with an automatic date and time stamp so a photograph can record each visit with clients. This system will allow caseworkers to spend additional time in the field where they belong helping families. It will also help the department hold individuals accountable for their caseloads.
“Social work doesn’t happen at a computer screen. It happens in the living rooms of the children and families we serve,” said DCF Secretary George Sheldon. “These devices will transform the child welfare system in Florida by greatly reducing the amount of paperwork required by caseworkers – which can take several hours per visit to complete. We think that time is much better spent visiting families and children in need, and providing more enhanced education and prevention services to the families.”
Additionally, the devices will ensure accountability on the part of each caseworker. While the vast majority of caseworkers are diligent in their required visits and record-keeping, some caseworkers have been negligent, resulting in missed visits and inaccurate recordings of visits. This system will not only prove with GPS coordinates and date and time stamps on photos that a caseworker has actually made a required visit, but it will also send automatic alerts that a child is due (or overdue) for a visit. A caseworker’s supervisor will also be notified with these alerts so that no child goes unseen for longer than the required timeframe.
Florida will be the first state in the country to introduce this technology and use it in the field of child welfare. Florida will be the first and only state in which caseworkers can immediately upload information from their visit—photo, GPS coordinates and case files—directly into the Department database right from the field in real time. This expedites information on cases and greatly eliminates the amount of time spent on tedious yet critical manual input of data and transcribing of case notes.
The new “all-in-one” device for Florida’s child welfare caseworkers was highlighted by Governor Crist during his 2008 State of the State Address. Now, more than 2,800 handheld devices will be purchased at a cost of $2,250 each for the statewide implementation, which will be done in phases. Following the first phase, in conjunction with Our Kids Community Based Care in Miami, the remainder of the handhelds will be delivered and implemented by caseworkers throughout the fall. The software required to capture the data from the field and upload it remotely into the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) database will be designed and created by the Department of Children and Families.
“This technology first started as an idea from Governor Crist as a way to more safely and effectively care for our children,” said Sheldon. “That we are now so close to making this a reality means an extra assurance of security and safety for Florida’s children. I am grateful to Governor Crist for his support of this project and making it a priority for the welfare of our families.”