RD2 - Special Report: Review of the On-Line Automated Services Information System (OASIS) at the Department of Social Services


Executive Summary:
The On-line Automated Services Information System (OASIS) is used by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to automate processes and information associated with child welfare programs. These programs, which include adoption, foster care, and child protective services (CPS), are administered by the 122 local social services agencies in Virginia. Consequently, local social service workers are the primary users of OASIS. DSS also plans to use OASIS for automation of child day care, adult services, adult protective services, and generic services (prevention, support, independent adoption, intake and emergency services, etc.).

As a result of concerns raised recently about the system by local agencies, the co-chairmen of the House Appropriations Committee requested that the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) complete a special review of OASIS (Appendix A). The Chairman of JLARC authorized the staff to begin the review, with completion by the end of January 2000. Consistent with the request for the study, this review addresses four major issue areas: (1) functionality of the system to support child welfare programs in local social services agencies, (2) usability of the system, (3) the development, testing, and deployment of the system by DSS, and (4) funding for OASIS. To complete the review, JLARC staff conducted interviews with DSS central office and regional staff, visited local social services agencies and interviewed other local staff by phone, and reviewed OASIS planning, financial, and other data.