SACWIS Assessment Review Process

After a state's child welfare automated system is operational for a approximately one year, the Division of State Systems (DSS) conducts an assessment review to assess the system's functionality against:

SACWIS functionality requirements; and
The functionality described in the State's Implementation Advance Planning Document.

DSS typically conducts a week-long on-site review, which includes a system walk-through and interviews with local and state-level users. The on-site review provides DSS with an in-depth look at the system, as well as an opportunity to gauge the extent to which the system:

Implements SACWIS-required functionality;
Supports child welfare services business practices throughout the state; and
Is accepted and used by front-line workers, supervisors, managers, and others functional positions that were identified as system users;

While some preliminary findings are presented to the state during the review's exit conference, a detailed exception report is generated, providing the State with all of the review team's findings. Only when the State has either modified the system or created an acceptable corrective action plan can the review process be finalized.To that end, DSS has issued the following Action Plan Technical Bulletin #1 (December 2005) (PDF 148 KB)to help states create acceptable action plans.

In order for states to prepare for the review, and provide DSS with background information, they complete a SACWIS Assessment Review Guide ((HTML or PDF (3,499 KB)) or Word (1,590 KB)), which is typically submitted at least six week prior to the on-site review. Additionally, states should submit additional system documentation, such as users guides, training materials, screen shots, etc., to supplement the information contained in the review guide. By reviewing the information provided through the completed guide, and other supporting documentation, the DSS review team can acquaint itself with the system and its functionality. States should complete and submit the review guide in hard copy as well as electronically as a Word document.

On September 2nd the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the latest version of the SACWIS Assessment Review Guide, view the Summary of Changes 2005 to 2008 (HTML, PDF - 30 KB) for the details of changes to the SACWIS Assessment Review Guide.