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Department of Public Health says NetSmart/AVATAR improvements underway after Veil Grand Jury recommendations
Summary
DPH told supervisors it has hired staff, launched online training and improved reporting for the NetSmart/AVATAR system used by community‑based providers; the Civil Grand Jury urged a more robust outcome‑measurement framework and continued cross‑department coordination.
The Department of Public Health told the Government & Audit Oversight Committee it has expanded staff support, developed online training and improved reporting functionality for the NetSmart (AVATAR) system after a civil grand jury recommended stronger outcome measurement for nonprofit community‑based providers.
Winona Mandolovich, director of applications for information systems at DPH, said the department has hired staff to support the AVATAR system, implemented online training videos for roughly 2,800 users, improved report creation and added integration specialists to support community‑based organizations (CBOs).
"The staff that was hired has made significant improvements to support the NetSmart AVATAR system, including the implementation of online training videos, developing system functionality that allows providers to track due dates for clinical documents and improved the creation of reports to assist the programs," Mandolovich told the committee.
Daniel Kreps of the Civil Grand Jury summarized the investigation that led to recommendation 3: AVATAR is a critical billing and performance database and vendors reported connectivity and training problems that hampered accurate reimbursement and outcome tracking. The grand jury urged establishment of a robust process to measure program outcomes so policy makers can evaluate what services are most effective.
Kreps said some anonymous internal communications prompted the grand jury’s review and praised DPH staff cooperation, but stressed the need for an ongoing strategic planning process connecting the mayor’s office, the Board and departments to strengthen the delivery and evaluation of CBO services.
Supervisors asked whether outcome measurement can be developed without overburdening CBOs. Kreps and Mandolovich said the goal is to gather usable data without creating unnecessary administrative burdens and that progress so far includes improved training and increased integration capacity. DPH said it continues hiring to fill remaining integration needs.
The committee recorded the recommendation as implemented as reported by the Office of the Mayor and DPH, while supervisors encouraged continued monitoring and cross‑department work.
What happens next: DPH will continue implementing training and integration work; supervisors requested follow‑up and stressed that outcome measures should inform funding decisions.
