September 20th 03, 05:24 PM
DCF: Anything but safe
OUR OPINION: PROBE COMPUTER SNAFUS
Gov. Jeb Bush and state lawmakers should investigate what has gone so
drastically wrong with the state's new child-welfare computer system.
The Department of Children & Families project was supposed to cost $40
million when it was authorized in 1994; but the actual price tag --
$230 million -- was nearly six times that amount. It was supposed to
go online in 1999; but the actual launch was July, 2003. Even then,
the computer system crashed for eight hours on the first day.
Now, after only two months, callers to the child-abuse hotline managed
by the new computer system are hanging up in frustration in record
numbers. This month, the number of ''abandoned'' calls on the new
system -- optimistically called HomeSafenet -- was 6.9 percent, almost
double the rate for July. That means 2,500 calls didn't get through,
each potentially with a child's life at risk.
Snafus are routine and predictable whenever a new product is launched.
But the tardiness, cost overruns and operational glitches of this
project point to an unacceptable level of incompetence -- to be kind
-- or, worse, possible misfeasance.
A certain number of ''abandoned'' calls is to be expected. But the
unusually high rate thus far is indisputable proof that many children
who need DCF's help aren't getting it. This is unacceptable. The
governor and lawmakers should demand answers.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/editorial/6790330.htm
OUR OPINION: PROBE COMPUTER SNAFUS
Gov. Jeb Bush and state lawmakers should investigate what has gone so
drastically wrong with the state's new child-welfare computer system.
The Department of Children & Families project was supposed to cost $40
million when it was authorized in 1994; but the actual price tag --
$230 million -- was nearly six times that amount. It was supposed to
go online in 1999; but the actual launch was July, 2003. Even then,
the computer system crashed for eight hours on the first day.
Now, after only two months, callers to the child-abuse hotline managed
by the new computer system are hanging up in frustration in record
numbers. This month, the number of ''abandoned'' calls on the new
system -- optimistically called HomeSafenet -- was 6.9 percent, almost
double the rate for July. That means 2,500 calls didn't get through,
each potentially with a child's life at risk.
Snafus are routine and predictable whenever a new product is launched.
But the tardiness, cost overruns and operational glitches of this
project point to an unacceptable level of incompetence -- to be kind
-- or, worse, possible misfeasance.
A certain number of ''abandoned'' calls is to be expected. But the
unusually high rate thus far is indisputable proof that many children
who need DCF's help aren't getting it. This is unacceptable. The
governor and lawmakers should demand answers.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/editorial/6790330.htm