CT Dept of Children and Families Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Overview June 2009

Overview Why are we using GIS at DCF? How could we use GIS at DCF? –What has been done already? –What could be done in the future? How have we gotten here? What’s on our GIS agenda? What’s needed to keep going?

Who is ORE? The DCF Office for Research & Evaluation contributes to the development and use of knowledge at DCF by shaping, supporting and conducting research, evaluation and analytic inquiry. This includes improving the analytic data environment; initiating, facilitating and conducting data analysis, research and evaluation; and identifying and nurturing strategic analytic opportunities and partnerships.

Why use GIS at DCF? Child welfare practice and decision- making is very place-based Visual depiction of child welfare information is intuitive and persuasive Large audiences are easier to engage and involve in discussions about child welfare information

How could we use GIS at DCF? What’s being done here now? –Descriptive Maps: DCF Office/Facility Locations with Area Office Catchment Zones Child Guidance Clinic Locations Schools and Universities Foster Home Locations

CT TeleAtlas Base Map (State)

CT TeleAtlas Base Map (Zoomed)

How could we use GIS at DCF? What’s being done here already? –Analytic Maps: Placement Rates by Area Offices & Ages Foster Homes In Millstone Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Planning Zones Foster Homes in Hurricane Inundation Zones (FEMA SLOSH)

What’s on our GIS agenda? Foster Recruitment & Retention –Operational maps automatically updated showing foster homes and available beds within close proximity to child’s original home/school –Analysis of successful foster homes with market segmentation data to enhance effective recruitment efforts Service Array –Descriptive maps showing location of all behavioral health, substance abuse and child welfare service providers –Analysis of under-served areas by service type for contract planning (GAIN Short Screen “hot-spots”)

What’s on our GIS agenda? Disaster Response Planning –Operational maps automatically updated showing locations of all children in placement and those at risk of flood or hurricane damage –Coordination with CT Emergency Operations Center to provide updated DCF maps as needed Disproportionality –Series of maps showing location of minorities in general population, and those involved with DCF at various points along child welfare service delivery continuum

How have we gotten here? What resources do we have now? –4 licenses for ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView level) software –Basic training in use of GIS software completed 11/08 –MOU for TeleAtlas Dynamap shapefiles initiated 12/08 –All school/colleges addresses from SDE 12/08 and updated 11/09 –211 Infoline Database 2009 from United Way

Limitations to Overcome Limitations on data quality: –Currently have improved geo-coding process thru use of multiple composite locators to improve match rate –Need address verification program added to primary database (LINK) to improve data quality Limitations on work products: –Currently can do basic descriptive and analytic work. –Limited by lack of available funds for additional analytic modules and training Limitations on delivery of content: –Currently can deliver content through Adobe PDF files (with layers, data and map book capability) –Limited by lack of available funds for ArcGIS Server and training/staffing to allow development of web- based, interactive maps and reports

How have we gotten here? External networking: –Casey Family Programs –CT Geospatial Council –Other state child welfare agencies ●Internal networking and capacity- building: ●Office of Foster Care Services ●Office for Policy and Planning ●Risk Management

What’s needed to keep going? Partnership with Information Systems –Develop links to dynamic data for reporting and analysis –Develop data quality improvement strategies and solutions –Develop web-based methods of deploying desired maps, reports or applications Ideas & Support from Staff and Leadership!!

Contact Us CT Department of Children and Families Bureau of Continuous Quality Improvement Office for Research and Evaluation 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT Dr. Joan E. Twiggs, Program Director Allon Kalisher, MSW, Program Supervisor Fred North, Social Work Supervisor (860)