Case Studies

Since implementing Traverse®—cloud-based software that manages electronic case files—child welfare caseworkers at Mesa County Department of Human Services (DHS) can effectively telework and more efficiently work with families to reduce trauma and achieve permanency.

Northwoods helps Pennsylvania’s Erie County Office of Children and Youth digitize case files, enabling remote caseworkers to serve vulnerable children and families. Northwoods, an AWS Partner Network (APN) Public Sector Partner, helped Erie County implement Traverse, its AWS-based solution that provides access to case files from anywhere.

Since implementing Traverse® social workers in the child/family and adult units at Houston County Department of Human Services spend more quality face-to-face time with families and connect them to services faster.

Lenoir County Department of Social Services' child support caseworkers lacked access to critical information in court, plus had to rely on an antiquated case management system. With Northwoods’ document management solution, caseworkers are exceeding timeframes for case closure and court orders, can electronically view and collect documents in court, and have more time to locate noncustodial parents and interact with clients.

Cabarrus County Department of Human Services’ clients were frustrated by a confusing lobby and long waits, which had a ripple effect on efficiency. The agency partnered with Northwoods to redesign the lobby, upgrade technology, and modernize business processes to reduce client and caseworker frustration and process applications for services much faster.

With up to 2,000 clients visiting each day, San Joaquin County Human Services Agency has one of the busiest lobbies in California. Since implementing Northwoods’ lobby management and appointment management for caseworkers, the agency has eliminated lobby wait time, achieved same-day appointments, and reduced client and caseworker frustration.

San Mateo County Human Services Agency in Silicon Valley faced numerous document management challenges from decentralized services, nonintegrated social services systems, and an increasing caseload. Its central mail unit was overburdened, its document management system had an extensive backlog, and there was no way to tie caseworker’s tasks with documentation. All of that changed with Compass® Pilot® from Northwoods.

When the Robeson County Department of Social Services began running out of space for its paper files, the director contacted Northwoods with an aggressive goal: Make our agency completely paperless. By partnering with Northwoods, not only did the agency achieve its goal, but it also dramatically improved caseworker productivity and client service times.