CGI to build Washington State child welfare system

CGI Group Inc. will design, develop and implement Washington State's next-generation child welfare information system through a 34-month, $16.1 million contract.

The Washington State Children's Administration and CGI will work together to deliver a new Web-based statewide automated child welfare information system that will help staff provide services to families. The new system will replace the legacy system.

The new system will bring the Children's Administration improved accountability, financial controls, reporting capabilities and a framework for measuring outcomes, as well as an enhanced technical infrastructure. Washington's Children's Administration is part of the state's Social and Health Services Department.

"Building a SACWIS system is the most significant IT investment that a child welfare agency makes," said Michael Keating, CGI's senior vice-president, Western U.S. "The goal is to create a federally compliant system that helps case workers keep children safe," he said.

CGI has automated child welfare systems implementations in eight other states.

CGI Group Inc. of Montreal has more than 25,000 employees and had annual sales of $3.3 billion in 2006. It ranks No. 53 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors. The 2007 Top 100 list is due out May 14.