P&P August 2015

Cool. Helpful. Efficient. Productive.

These are some of the words that social workers used to describe the 2,400 iPads that the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) distributed to improve social worker efficiency and effectiveness in 2014. This was near the start of DCF’s journey to become a mobile agency—a journey that continues today. MOBILE MATTERS From smartphones to tablets, mobile technology is part of the fabric of life. As such, developing mobile device strategies for citizen service and workforce productivity is a public- sector priority. In fact, a recent survey reveals that a majority of state CIOs sees “mobile devices and apps” as a key area for the strategic agenda and operational plans. Social workers across human services—including child welfare—have an affinity for mobile technology. Every day, social workers connect with people during visits, in the car, at court, and from home. When your office is everywhere and face-to-face connections mean everything, mobile devices are more than cool gadgets; they are lifelines for delivering outcomes. FAST START, FAR REACH DCF’s mobile journey began after an internal inquiry to improve the agency’s engagement with children and families. The Child Welfare League of America recommended mobile devices to improve compliance and communication,

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August 2015   Policy&Practice