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DCYF outlines plan to replace FamLink with CCWIS; procurement underway and Governor proposes $66 million
Summary
The Department of Children, Youth & Families told the Senate committee it has green project indicators for a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) to replace FamLink, set an implementation target of July 2029, and has received $66 million in the governor's proposed budget for procurement and change management.
The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that it is moving forward with a federally compliant Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) to replace its legacy FamLink platform, with procurement underway and implementation currently targeted for July 2029.
Deputy Secretary Jenny Hedden, who represented DCYF in the briefing, said the department’s $150,000,000 project is “business transformation first and foremost, supported by technology.” Hedden told the committee that DCYF completed feasibility and vendor demonstrations and is in the procurement phase; four products were demonstrated last week and the agency expects to name an apparently successful bidder in the coming months.
Why it matters: The system is the state record of child welfare case information and supports payments, forecasting and statutory reporting. DCYF said FamLink is outdated, hampers caseworkers and must be replaced to comply with federal rules and to accommodate recent legislative changes affecting removal standards.
Key points from DCYF’s briefing: - Scope and schedule: The project is budgeted at $150 million over multiple years and is currently green on project indicators; current implementation target remains July 2029 but could change during contract negotiation and implementation. - Procurement: DCYF completed demonstrations of four candidate products and reported it will soon identify an apparently successful bidder and begin contract negotiations and configuration work. - Funding: The Governor’s proposed budget includes $66,000,000 to support procurement, configuration, organizational change management and implementation activities. - Business transformation emphasis: Hedden said other states’ experience shows that delivering a product that fits social‑work practice is essential; DCYF plans significant change management for roughly 2,000 social workers and related users.
Committee members asked about phasing and cross‑system integration. Hedden said the agency expects to phase external users and may phase rollout by region, but that core case management will need coordinated cutover given FamLink’s role as the system of record and its interface to the payment system.
DCYF did not request immediate committee action; staff said further procurement milestones and budget decisions will determine next steps.
