AgencyLink™ Overview

I thought it would be valuable for you  to get an overview of the program I have been working on since 1999. I was responsible for identifying the scope with the community and then taking those ideas and bringing them to reality. The program consists of an enterprise class infrastructure and four (4) modules (online community, resource directory, cross-jurisdictional family violence database and the flagship of the program the collaborative case management application. )

AgencyLink Vision 

It is the vision of the Montgomery County, Ohio Family and Children First Council (FCFC) that these applications will help agencies reduce duplication, foster collaboration, and store data to assist and improve service delivery. Additionally, these applications will provide a method to capture data that can later be used as a resource allocation tool for agency directors and policy makers.

Online Community

Date of Service – February 2000 to present

The intent of the AgencyLink web portal is to provide the users with a single point of entry to the community network. It also provides security protocols and navigation to other custom products within the network. This product also provides the network with “tool sets” to foster collaboration and communication and stores information so it is available for use by knowledge workers”.

The AgencyLink application breaks out the network into two segments.

1.                   A “Public” segment where individuals may review selected information related to the network. Some in the industry have dubbed this “Governmental On-line Services” where constitutes gain access to government services via the Internet. (www.agencylink.org)

2.                   A “Private” segment requiring authorized credentials for its strong security features that protect data access and delivery. This segment is also known as “Governmental Operations” and is basically an inwardly focused service. In essence, it uses Internet based technologies to service and improve traditional government operations. The end results being an increase to communication and collaboration and a decrease to duplicated efforts. (https://private.agencylink.org)

The services provided by the Online Community application include:

·         Communications:

o        Information sharing via Newsgroups, Discussion Groups, and Bulletin Boards

·         A Document Library for sharing forms, literature, etc. across the network.

·         Event dates across the community via Public, Agency, and private calendars.

·         Various Internet Web Content pages including:

o                    Guidelines for community volunteers.

o                    Glossary of Social Service terminology.

o                    Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

o                    Links to other relevant Internet Social Service oriented sites.

o                    Keyword search capability within the network.

Resource Directory (RD)

Date of Service – February 2000 to Present

This products goal is to create a database of all Social Service agencies in the community and provides the ability to search and obtain information on those agencies. The product will provide maps and directions to the facilities searched and contact connected agencies to the community to inquire about referring individuals to those agencies. When combined with referrals made from the Collaborative Case Management Application agency directors and policy makers will be able to view information on what kinds of resources are being referred by what agency and from what locations.  

The Family Violence Cross Jurisdictional Database (FV)

Date of Service – February 2002 to July 31, 2004

This product offers a database repository that captures data elements of crimes of family violence or some other type of collected data. This product will capture identified data elements, index this data and allow this data to be searched based on some type of unique qualifier. The goal is to increase the flow of information; track identified crucial data elements, and ensures the integrity of the data being used to make decisions upon. This information should also improve intervention efforts as status will be tracked and provides a “big picture” window to the case. This information can then be used to help make decisions on these cases.

The Family Violence Cross Jurisdictional Database (FV II)

Date of Service – Projected June 2004

This project’s aim is to integrate nine additional courts into the Family Violence Cross-Jurisdictional Application so that data elements that are currently being entered by clerks at those courts can be transferred digitally. This project speeds up the data acquisition time while decreasing mistakes and allows the community to obtain the data from the surrounding courts in a more efficient manner.

The Family Violence Cross Jurisdictional Database ASP.Net Upgrade (FV Upgrade)

Date of Service – July 2004

This project’s goal is to upgrade the Family Violence Cross-Jurisdictional Application from an ASP application using Microsoft Active Directory to an ASP.Net framework application using form based authentication. This upgrade decreases multiple platforms in AgencyLink’s infrastructure decreasing complexity in back office operations, incorporates feedback from pilot users to fix issues that were identified in the release one pilot program and utilizes many of the features of Microsoft’s second generation ASP.Net Framework.   

AgencyLink Collaborative Case Management Application

Date of Service – August 2004

This large .NET project will deliver a cross-agency automated information system, which will provide timely access to human services for citizens. The application currently features:

       Alerts, Case Notes, Appointments, Lessons Learned and Calendaring for both cases and clients

       A document library for each case, client and case plan

       A digital Release of Information that provides security for the application

       The ability to collaborate with other agencies or to use the application as an internal case management application for internal use only

       A digital case plan that tracks Goals, Objectives and Tasks (referrals can be made right from the Case Plan using the integrated Resource Directory

       Integration with other AgencyLink modules to have information in one place creating Knowledge Portals that help workers involved in the case

       Reports and statistics for agencies and units to help improve operations and grant proposals

       Enterprise reporting to help policy makers make decisions on funding and projects for the community.

 contact me at edward@mcnachtan.com