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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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
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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
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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
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The Data Integrity Specialist (DIS) unit consists of 18 members; including unit
manager and three supervisors
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Regionally based staff with expertise in policy, practice and Georgia SHINES
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Centralized under state office oversight
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Peer to peer aspects of communication adds value
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Field concerns represented at the state office level; over the shoulder individual
support to case managers
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Ownership of SACWIS encouraged and modeled
Data Integrity Specialists Duties
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Validate the integrity of the data in SACWIS
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Provide consultation to field staff on interpreting federal and state reporting measures and
outcomes
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Provide consultation & guidance to field staff on all data elements
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Review and analyze reports to identify trends
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Train staff on policy, procedure & good practice using SACWIS
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Prepare reports, handbooks and guides for field staff
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Participate in design and testing of new functionality in SACWIS
Data Quality Measures
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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
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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
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Monthly Leadership and Staff Meetings: Discuss trends from quality assurance
review and develop strategies for improvement
Selection of Agencies/Organizations for Data Sharing
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Regular joint planning meetings with internal and external stakeholders on
improving safety and well-being outcomes for children
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Recommendations from Citizen Review Panels
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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
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Transition of children in foster care from Medicaid fee-for-service to Medicaid Care
Managed Organization (CMO)
DFCS Primary Data Sharing Partners
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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
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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)
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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 SLDS Information
Example of SLDS Information
Example of SLDS Information
Example of SLDS Information
Example of SLDS Information
Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health:
Medications Prescribed to Child in Foster Care during the Past Month
Drug Description
GEODON 40 MG CAPSULE
HYDROXYZINE PAM 25 MG CAP
GEODON 80 MG CAPSULE
LAMICTAL 100 MG TABLET
SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET
GEODON 80 MG CAPSULE
SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET
GEODON 80 MG CAPSULE
SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET
SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET
SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET
SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET
IBUPROFEN 800 MG TABLET
ABILIFY 10 MG TABLET
PAROXETINE HCL 10 MG TABLET
TRAZODONE 50 MG TABLET
Billed Amt
Paid / Denied Amt
Days Supply Qty
$157.72
$26.95
$478.51
$158.37
$32.23
$478.51
$32.23
$478.51
$32.23
$32.23
$32.23
$32.23
$17.41
$476.56
$78.56
$16.96
$0.00
$8.51
$0.00
$134.53
$25.01
$0.00
$25.01
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$25.01
$25.01
$5.21
$0.00
$17.55
$2.71
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Currently developing a process to automatically transmit data between DCH and Georgia
SHINES.
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Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health
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Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health
Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health
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Questions