It’s an exciting time for innovation in public sector technology. With a change in orientation toward consumer experience, there are many new vendors and products emerging in the marketplace. Historically, this has been a risk-averse industry, with an inclination toward standing with the old guard; recently, however, there have been a number of unexpected contract awards that have the state and local environment buzzing.

Many new solutions are being designed and implemented to satisfy the requirements of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). From platforms, to Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, to Best-of-Breed, there are both some nuances as well as major differences in how the child welfare community is defining the various solutions in the marketplace.