Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Earns National Award for Excellence in Human Services Technology

    HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 25 /
EMWNews
/ -- The Department of

Public Welfare has received the 2008 Excellence in Human Services

Technology award for its Workload Dashboard system from IT Solution

Management for Human Services, an affiliate of the American Public Human

Services Association.



    The department's Workload Dashboard initiative was acknowledged for

excellence in demonstrating how the use of new information technologies can

be applied to improve the delivery of human services.



    "Pennsylvanians visit our offices every day with immediate needs making

it critical that we have systems in place to help us provide benefits and

services in the most efficient and effective manner," said Secretary of

Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman. "The Workload Dashboard promises to be a

valuable tool that will continue to aid us in improving the delivery of

services to Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens."



    Over the past several years, the department has worked to modernize the

current eligibility system, providing statewide web-based solutions for

county assistance offices that improve client service and enhance

operations.



    Introduced in January as a pilot program in Clearfield and Lackawanna

counties, the Workload Dashboard provides a comprehensive, personalized

view of critical information needed by staff to effectively manage their

workload, allowing workers to prioritize work efficiently and focus on

providing quality client service. In addition, Workload Dashboard

facilitates an easy check on workflow in real time, reducing the chance for

a backlog to occur.



    Only months after implementation, the new system has boosted county

assistance office efficiency, reducing the number of applications pending

for more than 45 days and reducing the number of reapplications more than

three months overdue.



    The Department of Public Welfare administers program benefits and

services to residents of Pennsylvania in need of assistance through 97

county assistance offices statewide including food stamps, Medical

Assistance, cash assistance, employment and training, and LIHEAP.



    For more information on programs and services or to locate a county

assistance office visit http://www.dpw.state.pa.us