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 SLDS Information

Example of SLDS Information

Example of SLDS Information

Example of SLDS Information

Example of SLDS Information

Drug Description Billed Amt Paid / Denied Amt Days Supply Qty

GEODON 40 MG CAPSULE $157.72 $0.00 6HYDROXYZINE PAM 25 MG CAP $26.95 $8.51 30GEODON 80 MG CAPSULE $478.51 $0.00 30LAMICTAL 100 MG TABLET $158.37 $134.53 30SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET $32.23 $25.01 28GEODON 80 MG CAPSULE $478.51 $0.00 30SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET $32.23 $25.01 28GEODON 80 MG CAPSULE $478.51 $0.00 30SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET $32.23 $0.00 28SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET $32.23 $0.00 28SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET $32.23 $25.01 28SPRINTEC 28 DAY TABLET $32.23 $25.01 28IBUPROFEN 800 MG TABLET $17.41 $5.21 15ABILIFY 10 MG TABLET $476.56 $0.00 30PAROXETINE HCL 10 MG TABLET $78.56 $17.55 30TRAZODONE 50 MG TABLET $16.96 $2.71 30

Currently developing a process to automatically transmit data between DCH and Georgia SHINES.

Example of Data Received from Department of Community Health: Medications Prescribed to Child in Foster Care during the Past Month

17

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