LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan's foster care and adoption system is launching a new information-sharing platform that advocates say will help improve outcomes for children in the state's troubled child welfare
system.
The Department of Human Services initiated the online platform last week in a "soft launch" stage when workers can adjust to it and fix glitches. The new system consolidates databases for the state and agencies it works with, and aims to allow real-time sharing of case data.
Court-appointed monitor Kevin Ryan says the new platform will help shed light on areas of child welfare that can't currently be evaluated. He says the platform will provide the "first very substantive and comprehensive view" of outcomes for kids in state care.