Today’s episode explores the system innovation work underway for the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). Host Stacey Moss sits down with Senior Administrator Lindsey Schilling and Public Knowledge® Project Manager Alli Anderson. They discuss the effort to replace a decades-old system that supports child welfare, adult protective services, and juvenile justice programs across Wyoming.
For years, agency staff have worked within technology that limited efficiency, complicated reporting, and created challenges for case management and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, this conversation examines how Wyoming identified the need for change and the steps required to move a large-scale system innovation initiative from concept to implementation.
Listeners will learn about the extensive planning behind the project. The effort included needs assessments, alternatives analysis, budget development, federal funding opportunities, and a competitive procurement process. Lindsey and Alli share how agency leaders, project teams, policymakers, and stakeholders worked together throughout the project. As a result, the team built support for a modernization effort designed to better meet the needs of staff and the people they serve.
Planning for System Innovation
The project represents years of work to evaluate options, secure funding, and prepare for organizational change. In fact, the initiative goes beyond replacing aging technology. It focuses on creating a system that better supports the people who rely on it every day.
Meanwhile, the work includes aligning business processes, improving data quality, strengthening reporting capabilities, and supporting collaboration among agency staff, community partners, and service providers. As Wyoming moves toward implementation, the project demonstrates how system innovation can modernize operations while keeping the focus on children and families.
The discussion also highlights the importance of thoughtful planning, stakeholder involvement, and a long-term vision. These efforts help create a stronger foundation for future improvements across human services programs.
Creating Lasting Impact
Part 1 provides a behind-the-scenes look at the foundation of Wyoming’s CCWIS transformation and the collaborative approach that helped advance the project. Ultimately, it explores how thoughtful system innovation can support long-term improvement across human services programs while positioning agencies to respond more effectively to future needs.
Join us for Part 2 as the conversation continues with lessons learned, project reliability, stakeholder engagement, and the lasting impact this work could have across Wyoming.
