Blog
Discover best practices, technology insights and innovations that are happening globally in Health and Human Services.
HHS Mobile Solutions that Bridge Form and Function
From social media to task management tools, we’ve seen native mobile applications which leverage existing device capabilities revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with the world. Mobile devices have become ubiquitous. Currently, more than 88% of the US population owns a smartphone.
Navigating Engagement for Child Support Participants
Navigating Child Support can be complex, time-consuming, and at times an inequitable experience for both custodial and non-custodial parents. Child Support programs involve high levels of participation and time-sensitive requirements which participants must adhere to. For many, meeting these conditions is challenging.
Procurement Strategies for Innovation
You don’t have to wait for the innovation you need. It’s here now, and with modern procurement options, you can secure the innovative technology you need, fast. In state and local government, the procurement process is complex and lengthy, often posing as a barrier to agencies’ access to technology solutions they need. Traditionally, states might begin the procurement journey with a Request for Information (RFI)
What It Means to Be Purpose-Built
In a world where specialization matters, the concept of "purpose-built" technology has gained significant attention and traction, particularly in Health and Human Services (HHS). Purpose-built usually refers to founders and developers having deep commitments to an industry and building solutions using their expertise in that field to build a solution that meets a specific need…
Nurturing a Future Ready Workforce
As the health and human services landscape continues to evolve, keeping up requires more than just embracing technological advancements. It also requires demonstrating a commitment to the workers on the front line, delivering critical services to our most vulnerable populations. With this commitment at the forefront of their strategic priorities…
Helping Governments Help People: Diona Solutions at Work
In today's rapidly evolving world, governments are tasked with delivering effective services to their clients, addressing their needs and improving their quality of life. This is no easy task and one that requires an intentional evaluation of the people, processes and technology to identify the best systematic design and maximize impact…
Connecting Front-end Technology with the Back-office for Better Service Delivery
In today’s technology-driven world, people expect to do everything on the go from the convenience of their devices. This demand is no different in health and human services, where leaders are being encouraged to adopt modern technology to innovate service delivery models. The front-end, however…
Leveling the Playing Field: How Self-Service Tools Foster Equity
Public benefit programs serve people from all walks of life - from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, geographies, races, and ethnicities - offering support as they navigate life's various challenges. Despite being designed to offer much-needed assistance, these programs often inadvertently contribute to the very disparities they aim to alleviate. Accessibility of services can be…
Solving Human Services Workforce Problems with Mobile Solutions
In the field of human services, caseworkers play a critical role in supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their well-being. To provide the best services and care for their clients, caseworkers must be at the top of their game. All too often, these professionals are stressed, overworked, and frustrated. Many organizations are reporting turnover and vacancies rates…
Think Big, Buy Smart
Everyone knows good things come in small packages, technology is no different. In today's world, software is an essential part of our daily lives. From smartphones and computers to cars and home appliances, software is everywhere. But not all software is created equally. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, which (in some cases) is designed to be highly specialized…
The Best (and Easiest) Way to Impact Citizen Experience
Citizens need and want access to critical government services when they need them and where they need them. It is really that simple. The flexibility, speed and convenience of self-service capabilities goes beyond the moment of the transaction to building a more trusted relationship with the agency. The technology to support these needs is widely available…
What’s the Difference (and, why it Matters): Native Mobile vs. Mobile Enabled
Consumers have come to use mobile applications as a standard practice of everyday life. According to Internet Advisor*, it is estimated that 6.3 billion people around the world use smartphones. In the United States there are approximately 346m smartphone users, more than any other country in the world. Functions range from simple needs, like checking the weather…
The Diona Experience: Journey of a Project
Everyone knows that technology projects can be challenging. They typically require a lot of time and attention from state/local staff on both the business and technology sides. Usually, these staff are doing their “day jobs” in addition to supporting mission critical projects. Because of this, we often hear from prospective customers, even those who love our solutions…
Accelerating the Trust Factor with Mobile
Building trust with HHS clients is critical to a program’s efficacy. Clients in these programs are vulnerable and faced with a distinct power imbalance between themselves and the workers assisting them. When HHS workers are able to establish a trusting and supportive dynamic, their clients feel empowered and are more committed to achieving their goals.
Beyond the Buzz: How to Know if a Solution is Low-Code
With so many modern technology solutions on the market, it is often difficult for Health and Human Services (HHS) organizations to be clear on whether something is low-code/no-code (LCNC) or custom code. Or, maybe more importantly, to what degree something may need to be customized to meet specific program needs.
A Business Case for SaaS
The Health and Human Services world is in an accelerated state of transformation. While the pandemic may have been the catalyst for this change, it does not seem to be stopping anytime soon. Savvy public sector leaders have recognized that solutions can be implemented quickly and that they need to be responsive to the changing needs of their clients.
Accelerating Security with SaaS
When you ask a CIO what keeps them up at night, more often than not the number one thing is the security of their applications, data, and network. Cyberattacks on government entities are occurring more frequently, compromising data and operations of critical government programs. Disruptions to these operations have far reaching impacts, going beyond the financial impacts you hear about in private sector.
Improving Collaboration with Systems of Engagement
We have all been there. Navigating through a situation that you may not know much about, perhaps dealing with an insurance company issue, can be intimidating or frustrating. It may be something you do not do often, so the processes and rules are not clear to you. The content on the website is not helpful. You have questions, so you call the number.
Expanding Capacity for Good
Five Strategies for Improving Workload
One of the significant issues that most human services organizations face is workload. In the last two years caseloads have increased, turnover is higher than ever, and vacancies are extending. As a result, the workload issue has been further compounded, threatening the very mission of the agencies dedicated to serving vulnerable populations…
Software-as-a-Service: More than a Fad
There’s no denying that Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has been the hot ticket in the IT world in recent years. Many government agencies have been gradually moving their systems to the cloud and realizing substantial benefits. The opportunity, however, is much bigger than just relocating applications. This is especially true for Health and Human Services that cover a broad…
Workforce Resiliency in a Challenging and Changing World
The work of child welfare caseworkers is born of a noble and passionate desire to help others. It is also one of the most important, yet challenging professions that one could choose. Formal education and training doesn’t always provide a clear picture of what awaits the workers when they…
Child Welfare Practice, Supported by Modern Technology Solutions
One of the fundamental tenants of child welfare practice is collaboration with a variety of stakeholders who are part of a broad system of care. All of these people are committed to providing services that families need. These stakeholders include child welfare state federal partners…
Monolithic to Modular with HHS Systems of Engagement
Back in January of 2016, One of our product managers had the opportunity to present to state agencies governed by the Administration of Children & Families (ACF) on the topic of modular design. This blog attempts to resurrect some thoughts from that original presentation…
HHS Systems of Engagement: Leaving No One Behind
A few years ago as one of our product managers and his wife were traveling through Spain on their way to Morocco for a friend's wedding, he met a young architect. This individual's job was to help city planners develop strategies in support of disabled persons… – from simple changes…
The 80/20 Rule... Reimagined
In 1896, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto demonstrated that about 80% of the land in Italy was owned by only 20% of the population. Thus was established the Pareto Principle (or 80/20 Rule), a model named by Joseph Juran after Pareto’s observation…
Transitioning to CCWIS: More Moments of Engagement
With the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System transition deadline fast approaching on August 1, 2018, the good news is that agencies do not need to finish the transition by that date to be…
Moments of Engagement in Child Welfare
State/Tribal Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (S/TACWIS) were intended to be reporting systems designed to collect Adoption & Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) data. These systems provided a means by which a state could provide IT support…
Why do I need an App if I already have a Mobile-Friendly HHS website?
During the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) - IT Solutions Management (ISM) Conference, a few different government folks stopped by our booth to chat with us about…
The Top Four Security Aspects you need to Consider for Mobile Systems of Engagement
As Health And Human Services (HHS) agencies around the world accelerate the deployment of "Systems of Engagement" for the mobile channel, one of the most important concerns of agency CIOs/IT staff…
Cybersecurity and Enterprise Mobility - Key Considerations and Vendor Evaluation Criteria
Due to the rapid increase of mobile devices and wearables, government organizations around the world are looking at how innovative…
The Importance of Good Data Collection and Analysis for HHS Solutions
We love statistics. Wait. we are not that nerdy. – We love the impact good statistics can have. Whether it's on policy or evidence-based practice, good data collected well from a large pool and analyzed…