Policy and Practice | October 2022

from the field Molly Tierney and Korin Schmidt

Wyoming’s Modernization Mantra: Grit, Compassion, Heart, and Humor

T here is no question that child welfare organizations need modern technology to support new, family-centered ways of working. What is acknowledged less often are the unique challenges of leading a child welfare workforce through change of this magnitude. At the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), Director Korin Schmidt is approaching modernization with the recognition that these shifts will be hard—and they should be. Schmidt is helping her people antici pate and work through the discomfort of reshaping long-standing practices. She is also working to stay focused on the “whys”: Keeping kids safe at home. Providing opportunities for success for their families. Supporting the people who support these families. And she is inviting all stakeholders to join her in bringing grit, compassion, heart, and humor to the process of technology modernization. Accenture’s Molly Tierney spoke with Schmidt about the origin of her leadership philosophy, how she is bringing it to life with the Wyoming DFS workforce, and the outcomes she hopes to achieve. Molly Tierney: What is top of mind as DFS undertakes the design and development of a new Child Welfare Information System (CWIS)? Korin Schmidt: We are working to shift from “What do these kids need?” to “What do these families need so their kids can stay home safely?” That represents a big change, not only in how we work internally, but also in

with communities to get them support. That is the North Star that is guiding us.

how we support families and collabo rate with partners and stakeholders in the community. It requires a totally different approach to technology. It also requires a big change in mindset. For many years, the work of child welfare has been managing cases, managing families, managing children. That is what our Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) was built to do. But as we modernize to our CWIS, known as WyoSafe, “management” is no longer our primary focus. Instead, we need technology that helps us understand what families need and then engage

Tierney: I was riveted when I first heard you talk about “grit, compas sion, heart, and humor.” How are those four words helping you lead your team toward that North Star? Schmidt: Grit, compassion, heart, and humor are strengths required to succeed with a transformation of this nature and scale. Fortunately, they are also strengths we have always had in DFS. I am just recognizing and labeling them.

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Illustration by Chris Campbell/Shutterstock

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October 2022 Policy&Practice