Doing IT RIght

The MIS Unit at DCYF has developed a series of Excel spreadsheets (called "The Dashboard") that provide management data to administrators and supervisors to support day-to-day decision-making. The data is
updated daily and automatically loads into the spreadsheet when the user opens it. The spreadsheets contain pivot tables and graphs to provide various 'views' of the data. The pivot tables and graphs automatically 'refresh' each time new data is loaded into the spreadsheet. Users can look at data from a regional, unit, or worker point-of-view. Users can filter, sort, and print the data essentially creating 'ad-hoc' reports.

In the example shown below, DCYF is monitoring the status of case plans for youth in the care of the Department. Case plans were selected as one of the first items to monitor because federal reviews have shown that states that implement family centered case plans have better outcomes. Administrators and supervisors can use this tool to ensure that all youth have case plans developed in a timely manner.[Leon Saunders, DCYF Business Partner]

	The application allows for the display of detailed data in both tabular and graphical form. PivotTables allow the user to 'drill down' to see more detailed data.
	This graph is linked to the PivotTable in the figure above and displays the same information in graphical form.
	This graph allows Regional Directors to view information for each of their caseworker units. Other graphs allow supervisors to view information for each of their social caseworkers.