The OR-Kids Project

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SACWIS stand for?

Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System.

What functions are contained in a SACWIS?

• Process referrals for service, conduct an investigation, and assess the need for service.
• Determine programs for which funding support is available for clients receiving services. 
• Prepare service plans, determine whether the agency can provide the services, authorize the provision of services, and manage the delivery of those services. 
• Support the maintenance and monitoring of information on an array of service providers, including prevention programs, placement services, and foster care providers.
• Encompass an array of legal activities and documentation procedures involving judicial events requiring action on the part of the State agency.
• Track and manage financial transactions.
• Incorporate procedures for ensuring support for efficient management of, as well as reliable and accurate operation of, the system.
• Create an electronic link between child welfare and other systems, to receive, transmit, and verify case and client information.

Why are we pursuing a SACWIS Solution?

We believe that in pursuing computer automation, Oregon can better meet it's service delivery goals in improving the well being of children and families; ease the administrative duties of caseworkers and increase staff time with clients; make improvements in case practice; and provide accurate and current information to assist in decision-making and program modification.

What are the guiding principles of SACWIS?

To establish a common understanding and approach to build and implement a quality Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) for DHS, the Project has adopted the following Guiding Principles:

• SACWIS will be a comprehensive Child Welfare system that will facilitate the statewide integration of Child Welfare processes and reflect best practice principles.
• DHS will strongly consider the best practices and processes proven in other states’ SACWIS.
• SACWIS will consolidate and streamline current business practices, automate processes, and support standardization of practice across the State.
• SACWIS will promote partnerships with other organizations and the community in serving families.
• SACWIS will enable direct service staff to spend more time with children and families.
• SACWIS will support program accountability.

The Guiding Principles are supported by the following critical system requirements:

• SACWIS must be easy for all DHS staff to access and intuitive to use.
• SACWIS will integrate with, and have linkage between, other programs/ applications within DHS.
• SACWIS will be flexible, easy to adjust and modify, and easy to access for field staff and managers to extract data.
• SACWIS will support entering and retrieving data once, thereby eliminating duplicate data entry and redundant data entry.
• SACWIS will facilitate the use of an electronic case record format that contains all pertinent data, including document images.
• SACWIS will be reliable and available statewide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and support off-site access.
• The Oregon SACWIS will be 100% Federally-compliant.

If I see someone abusing a child, what should I do?

All citizens have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Contact a local DHS Child Welfare office to report child abuse.

Does Oregon have people who help families with child abuse problems?

Child protective services is the part of DHS that responds to child abuse reports. CPS-trained caseworkers across the state listen to reports of abuse, assess the situations and prepare service plans to assist children and families. CPS staff work closely with law enforcement agencies and other members of multidisciplinary teams in each county to assess child abuse reports.

Are there other websites where I can find information about child abuse and neglect?

The Child Welfare Information Gateway site  hosts a National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect. They have information available about what’s happening on a national level.

Is there a federal agency that provides oversight to child welfare in Oregon?

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a federal agency funding state, territory, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families.

Is there one website that has links to different family and child services?

Yes. For information on help nationwide, visit the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services