Network Integration between State SACWIS networks and Private Foster Care Agencies

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Network Integrationbetween State SACWIS networks
and Private Foster Care Agencies
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Network Integration

• Network Integration (NIS) refers to connecting
  the Private Foster Care Agency computer networks
  to the Statewide Automated Child Welfare
  Information Systems or SACWIS.
• In New York, the SACWIS system is funded by the
  States Office of Children and Family Services
  (OCFS) while the City Administration for
  Childrens Services (ACS) runs additional
  applications on the State networks.
• The goal of NIS is the ability to share the
  resources of both systems within the private
  agency setting.

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Who benefits?

• Virtually all Private Foster Care Agency staff
  members benefit.
• The State can reduce its budget for network
  support significantly.
• Two computers on a desk scenarios can be
  eliminated.
• End user staff need only call one Help Desk.

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What is the process?

• Wide Bandwidth Line provided by State at Main
  Site of Agency
• Firewall (s) installed between the State and
  Private Agency Routers.
• Private Agency computers are configured so that
  they can access State and City resources.
• In NYS example most was accomplished with a HOSTS
  file.

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What is next?

• SACWIS (State) computers are removed from the
  State Domain so that they can become members of
  the Private Foster Care Agency Domain.
• The State then begins to remove leased lines,
  routers and switches that are no longer needed at
  agency sites.

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Why is this being done?

• For years, Private Foster Care Agencys have been
  unable to use applications on either side of the
  network like Evolv, LEWIS or Fund EZ on their
  private network or City and State resources like
  the SACWIS Database Application CONNECTIONS,
  HIPS, FHDI Tool, RDI Tool and the State Global
  Address Book for Email on the SACWIS network.
• Now, all computers are able to access the same
  resources and will be under the control of
  Private Foster Care Agency. Agencies will only
  have to rely on the City and State for their
  applications.

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What are the responsibilities?

• Agencies have to provide a network WAN
• Agencies have to provide technical support,
  configurations, training and troubleshooting
  services for all computers at the agency,
  including SACWIS PCs.
• Although the SACWIS computers will still belong
  to the State, agencies are required to maintain
  them as well.
• When the agency determines a PC or component of
  State equipment has failed, the State is
  responsible for its replacement.

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What are the benefits (Agency)?

• In addition to Agency staff being able to access
  all the required resources from one terminal,
  there will be only one Help Desk to call.
• Agency technical staff are the most familiar with
  their environment, networks and usage.

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What are the benefits (State)?

• The State supports less users directly which
  lowers Help Desk costs.
• The number of leased lines the State funds and
  supports is significantly reduced.
• State becomes a technology partner rather than
  sole provider.

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