MINISTRY TAKES NEXT STEP TOWARD NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IMPROVED CLIENT CARE

Social Services is one step closer to acquiring a multi-purpose computer system to better support the Ministry's work with clients, improve information management and address important accountability gaps that have been identified for many years. This project is being advanced in response to the long term recommendations of both the Provincial Auditor and the Children's Advocate. Today, the Ministry issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek a vendor to provide this long-awaited tool.

"This is an important step toward acquiring an electronic case management system that will monitor children in our care," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "I am very pleased to see this initiative continue to move forward."

The project team has worked extensively to document current business practices and identify what the new system must do. The scope of the project has been broadened to include other divisions in the ministry and to improve client registration, income assistance benefit processing and contract management, in addition to the priority of child welfare case management.

Other important benefits of the system will include reducing paperwork and duplication of work. This will enable staff to have more time for their clients. It will also increase accountability and the ministry's ability to deliver services and benefits in a timely manner.

This is a multi-year project, with the goal to begin implementing the system in 2010. Over the next three years, $15 million has already been committed to the project. The next step is to select a vendor from the RFP process by the summer of 2009.

"It's an exciting project that will make a significant difference in our staff's working days and in their ability to help our clients," Harpauer said. "We will have more accurate and timely information about children in care, and be in a position to better comply with the expectations of the Provincial Auditor and the Children's Advocate."

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For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca