Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Case Management Systems topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DHS pauses IRIS case‑management rollout, hires outside firm to rework implementation
Summary
After providers raised deployment concerns, the Department of Human Services paused its IRIS case‑management rollout, contracted Alvarez & Marsal for independent project and program management, and said it is rebuilding governance and provider engagement.
The Department of Human Services told the Joint Committee on Appropriations it paused the IRIS case‑management rollout after provider concerns, engaged an outside consulting firm and re‑designed governance to include providers and families.
"We stopped, and that was at the request of the providers," Shawnee Rectenbaugh, DHS cabinet secretary, said about the project pause. DHS later contracted Alvarez & Marsal to advise on the effort and to assume project management responsibilities while DHS reorganized internal leadership. Rectenbaugh acknowledged the prior rollout "did not go well" and said the department is now pursuing a collaborative approach.
What happened and why it matters - IRIS is a new case management and eligibility system for developmental disabilities services intended to centralize intake, service planning and authorization. - DHS said earlier phases revealed process and communication gaps; the department paused active onboarding and reopened the project to joint governance with providers, families and the contracted advisor. - The pause and rework have operational and fiscal implications: DHS said it will continue incremental implementation but will not complete without stronger stakeholder buy‑in.
DHS action plan - Contracted Alvarez & Marsal to provide national subject‑matter expertise and project management. - Restructured division leadership and expanded stakeholder work groups, including provider, family and individual representatives, to give input on the build and operational design. - Committed to phased implementations and to preserve systems that providers reported they preferred rather than replacing them wholesale.
Agency quote "We are no longer making decisions in a vacuum when it comes to IRIS," Rectenbaugh told the committee, adding that the department will travel regionally to gather provider and family input.
What’s next DHS said it will continue to work with providers, families and its consultant to define the scope of IRIS functionality and to coordinate phased rollouts; the committee asked for regular updates and clear timelines before final approvals for associated recurring costs.
