Projects

Community Services Network

The Community Services Network (CSN) is an initiative which uses computer technology as a tool for collaboration and family service system reform (e.g., coordinated case management, integration of services, revision of practices, policies and procedures within government and community-based social service agencies) in order to achieve better outcomes for children and families. Through use of the internet, CSN seeks to provide both case managers and consumers with information about a wider range of services and providers through a Services Locator; offer case managers and consumers the ability to determine potential benefits eligibility on-line; and create a Virtual Community (using a list serve, e-mail chats and bulletin boards) in which case managers and other social service staff can reflect on and discuss issues of system reform as they relate to their own work as well as the work of other systems.

At the request of the Mayor’s Office on Community Services (MOCS), CAPD is documenting the CSN development activities, evaluating the current effectiveness of CSN in achieving its intended outcomes and considering the potential effectiveness of CSN as a vehicle for collaboration and system reform.