Information Builders Case Studies State of Louisiana Fights Fraud, Enhances Disaster Preparedness with Information Builders

Edit This Case Study Record

	State of Louisiana Fights Fraud, Enhances Disaster Preparedness with Information Builders Information Builders

State of Louisiana Fights Fraud, Enhances Disaster Preparedness with Information Builders

Information Builders

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Procurement
Use Cases	Fleet Management Inventory Management Predictive Maintenance
Services	Data Science Services Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was facing challenges in increasing the efficiency of fraud detection, foster care, disaster recovery, and other reporting initiatives within the state’s social services department. The department was struggling with disparate IT systems that were developed with different standards and data structures, making the administration of programs and provision of benefits difficult, slow, and resource-intensive. Additionally, the department was grappling with fraud in its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) and Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which was costing the state significant amounts of money. The department also needed a more efficient way to place children in foster homes that met their needs and were close to their schools and families. Read More
About Customer	The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is a state agency that includes more than 4,500 staff members, supporting approximately one million constituents. The department is responsible for a variety of social services initiatives, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and foster care services. The department also plays a crucial role in disaster recovery planning and implementation, ensuring that those who rely on SNAP receive emergency services and supplies during power outages. The department has been recognized for its innovative use of technology in these areas, with other states expressing interest in mimicking its systems. Read More
Solution	The department partnered with Information Builders to create a web-based analytical tool that could access transactional data and display results in a variety of formats, including map-based displays. They also devised master data records to minimize the time and effort required to provide benefits. The solution included WebFOCUS, iWay DataMigrator, Service Manager, Data Quality Center, ReportCaster, and Professional Services. The department also launched the Common Access Front End (CAFÉ) program, which created a master record for each case and service provider, enforcing consistency and minimizing time and effort. The department also used WebFOCUS and GIS technology from Esri to help reduce illegal activity in its SNAP and CCAP programs. The system allowed managers, supervisors, and fraud investigators to analyze trends among millions of transactions and display the information on digital maps. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Procurement

Use Cases

Fleet Management

Inventory Management

Predictive Maintenance

Services

Data Science Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was facing challenges in increasing the efficiency of fraud detection, foster care, disaster recovery, and other reporting initiatives within the state’s social services department. The department was struggling with disparate IT systems that were developed with different standards and data structures, making the administration of programs and provision of benefits difficult, slow, and resource-intensive. Additionally, the department was grappling with fraud in its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) and Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which was costing the state significant amounts of money. The department also needed a more efficient way to place children in foster homes that met their needs and were close to their schools and families.

About Customer

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is a state agency that includes more than 4,500 staff members, supporting approximately one million constituents. The department is responsible for a variety of social services initiatives, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and foster care services. The department also plays a crucial role in disaster recovery planning and implementation, ensuring that those who rely on SNAP receive emergency services and supplies during power outages. The department has been recognized for its innovative use of technology in these areas, with other states expressing interest in mimicking its systems.

Solution

The department partnered with Information Builders to create a web-based analytical tool that could access transactional data and display results in a variety of formats, including map-based displays. They also devised master data records to minimize the time and effort required to provide benefits. The solution included WebFOCUS, iWay DataMigrator, Service Manager, Data Quality Center, ReportCaster, and Professional Services. The department also launched the Common Access Front End (CAFÉ) program, which created a master record for each case and service provider, enforcing consistency and minimizing time and effort. The department also used WebFOCUS and GIS technology from Esri to help reduce illegal activity in its SNAP and CCAP programs. The system allowed managers, supervisors, and fraud investigators to analyze trends among millions of transactions and display the information on digital maps.

Impact #1	The department now has a more accurate view of patterns in SNAP benefit transactions and assisted child care programs, making illegal activity easier to detect.
Impact #2	The department has enhanced its disaster recovery planning capabilities, ensuring that those who rely on SNAP receive emergency services and supplies during power outages.
Impact #3	The department has simplified its IT structure, making the administration of programs and provision of benefits more efficient.

Impact #1

The department now has a more accurate view of patterns in SNAP benefit transactions and assisted child care programs, making illegal activity easier to detect.

Impact #2

The department has enhanced its disaster recovery planning capabilities, ensuring that those who rely on SNAP receive emergency services and supplies during power outages.

Impact #3

The department has simplified its IT structure, making the administration of programs and provision of benefits more efficient.

Benefit #1	The department's SNAP program benefits more than 780,000 people each month, representing $1.2 billion in monthly benefits.
Benefit #2	The department's fraud detection efforts have the potential to save the state a significant amount of money, given that approximately four percent of SNAP funds are fraudulently appropriated.
Benefit #3	The department's foster care placement system has helped place thousands of kids in more ideal homes.

Benefit #1

The department's SNAP program benefits more than 780,000 people each month, representing $1.2 billion in monthly benefits.

Benefit #2

The department's fraud detection efforts have the potential to save the state a significant amount of money, given that approximately four percent of SNAP funds are fraudulently appropriated.

Benefit #3

The department's foster care placement system has helped place thousands of kids in more ideal homes.

Download PDF Version

Overview

State of Louisiana Fights Fraud, Enhances Disaster Preparedness with Information Builders

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit