State and Tribal Information Systems

Child welfare information systems are case management systems that serve as the record hubs for all children and families receiving child welfare support. Federal funding is available to both state and tribal title IV-E agencies to develop and maintain these automated systems.

CCWIS Final Rule

The Division of State Systems (DSS) within the Children's Bureau published information on a final rule called Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) which replaces the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) and Tribal Automated Child Welfare Information System (TACWIS) regulation. Documentation for this new regulation is available below. The CCWIS final rule is in the Federal Register.

• The Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System Final Rule: Overview - This document provides an overview of CCWIS and key provisions of the final rule.
• The Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System Final Rule Frequently Asked Questions – This document provides answers to common questions concerning the CCWIS final rule.
• ACYF-CB-IM-16-02 - This Information Memorandum informs state and tribal title IV-E agencies about the publication of the CCWIS final rule.
• CCWIS Final Rule Overview Presentation - This is an overview presentation on the CCWIS final rule.

Please submit questions about CCWIS to CCWIS.Questions@acf.hhs.gov.

CCWIS Announcements Listserv

The CCWIS_Announcements Listserv is a public listserv anyone can join to receive updates on the implementation of the new Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) regulations.

Division of State Systems

DSS supports state and tribal title IV-E agencies in developing and operating child welfare information systems.

The following are DSS's key responsibilities:

• Support state and tribal child welfare information systems through partnerships, collaborative efforts, and technical assistance activities regarding development, maintenance, and operations
• Provide guidance on and respond to Advance Planning Documents (APDs) and procurement documents, such as requests for proposals and contracts
• Coordinate the development and implementation of strategies and policies related to child welfare information technology (IT) for the Administration for Children and Families
• Conduct assessments and ongoing reviews of child welfare information systems
• Sponsor relevant training, initiatives, and programs

Contact DSS

A DSS analyst is assigned to each state, territory, or tribe with a title IV-E agency. The analyst is available to respond to questions, provide technical assistance, and serve as the primary contact for APD submissions. Click the link below to view a listing of the assignments for each DSS analyst.

• State and Tribal Assignments

Child Welfare Information Systems

Child welfare information systems are automated case management tools that support child welfare practice. Title IV-E agencies are encouraged to build information systems that meet their unique business needs. DSS provides regulatory oversight of and generates regulatory and subregulatory guidance on the development and operation of these information systems.

Child welfare information system data are used to support state and tribal policy and practice, as well as federal reporting, auditing, and review requirements.

Child welfare information systems are paid for by the state or tribal agency with federal financial participation. Projects to develop these systems and the related federal funding requests are detailed in the APDs.

CCWIS Status

The CCWIS Status page identifies each state’s current CCWIS standing.

Child Welfare IT Federal Guidance

The Children’s Bureau and other federal entities have developed numerous policy and technical documents to assist states and tribes in planning, developing, and implementing a child welfare information system. This page offers statutes, regulations, and other federal government issuances related to child welfare IT.

How to Send a Formal Submission

This page provides information about how to send a formal submission such as an Advance Planning Document (APD) for federal approval.

Child Welfare IT Managers Listserv

DSS maintains the Child Welfare IT Managers listserv to alert state or tribal staff about important updates, child welfare IT webinars, and scheduled child welfare IT manager conference calls. Contact Laurie Ducca to join this listserv.

Child Welfare Technical Working Group (CWTWG)

CWTWG represents child welfare IT projects and supports DSS's efforts to provide guidance and technical assistance to title IV-E agency efforts to plan, develop, implement, operate, and maintain a child welfare information system. CWTWG includes DSS staff and volunteer state and tribal project managers.

Child Welfare IT Training Resources

The Children's Bureau holds monthly webinars for state and tribal child welfare staff. DSS, state, and tribal staff present innovative techniques used to overcome common challenges faced by state and tribal agencies. This page offers links to the webinars produced by DSS.

General Child Welfare and IT Resources

This page provides information about standards used in the development of child welfare information systems and tools used in child welfare practice.

SACWIS/TACWIS Information

SACWIS/TACWIS was a federally funded, comprehensive, automated case management tool that supported child welfare practice in states and tribes. SACWIS/TACWIS was the record hub for all children and families receiving child welfare support and contained a complete case management history. This page contains information that was useful to child welfare IT managers, state and tribal staff, and state and tribal leadership who planned, developed, or maintained a SACWIS/TACWIS. SACWIS/TACWIS was an option title IV-E agencies could have selected to pursue for their child welfare information system and which offered enhanced cost allocation along with federally defined requirements.