Child welfare data integrations
Child welfare data, shared with the CACs that need it
When a state agency and its CACs keep separate systems, referrals get retyped, delayed or lost. Collaborate's API connectors write another system's records straight into Collaborate as cases, people and form submissions, with no retyping. CAC networks in South Carolina, Kentucky and Arkansas used Collaborate to build exactly this with their child welfare agencies.
Connect your state's system to Collaborate
- Collaborate's API connectors pull records from another system on a schedule and route each one by rules you set.
- Ready-made connectors for REST APIs and FHIR R4 health systems.
- Records from the connected system are written in as cases, people and form submissions, matched to the records you already have.
What state networks built with Collaborate
South Carolina: automated referrals from DSS
Starting in 2020, the South Carolina Department of Social Services sent referrals directly to the state's CACs through Collaborate.
- The result: less retyping, more accurate referrals, and the same case practice in every county.
- Their custom reports tracked how many reports met CAC criteria, acceptance rates, time between steps, and average time to a forensic interview.
“We believe this database integration will promote best casework practice and reduce the potential for children and youth in need of CAC services to fall between the cracks. This is huge.”
Karen BryantDeputy State Director of Child Welfare Services, South Carolina Dept. of Social Services
“Thanks to the Collaborate team, we have a very professional system that is going to be a model for all other states in the country.”
Thomas KnappExecutive Director, South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers
Kentucky: investigations from TWIST
In 2022, Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Children's Advocacy Centers of Kentucky connected the state's child welfare system, TWIST, to Collaborate.
- CACs received investigations quickly and decided whether they qualified for CAC services.
- Qualifying cases opened already filled in from the state's data.
“Using technology to better share child welfare information between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and our CACs has changed the way we serve clients. The technology allows us to enhance communication and improve the efficient response of all team members, ultimately benefiting children.”
Laura KretzerChief Strategy Officer, Children's Advocacy Centers of Kentucky
Arkansas: routed by county
In 2023, Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas brought investigations from the Division of Children & Family Services into Collaborate and routed each one to the local CAC for that county, with the services requested: case review, forensic interview, medical exam or mental health.
“Y'all have been very responsive to our needs and willing to help think outside the box with me, which is really important because Arkansas is not set up like a lot of different states in child abuse response. Y'all are helping us bridge that gap of moving our state forward in being able to respond to child abuse in an effective way.”
Dawn MeyerIT Operations Manager, Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
Thinking about a data connection with your state agency?
We have built this before.