Iowa's child welfare system redesign helps kids and workers.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The redesign of Iowa's system that responds to child abuse has some nifty features.

As part of the redesign, the state has created a Digital Dashboard, which allows staff to instantly check progress on each of the six main federal data-based Child and Family Services

Review outcome indicators. Using color coding, a case worker can tell at a glance where his or her department exceeds standards (green) and where it is in trouble (yellow and red). The dashboard also helps staff understand what's important in child welfare. And they can quickly drill down to see how their agency measures up by region and county.

Most portions of the new system, called Better Results for Kids, have gone into effect this spring. Department of Human Services Director Kevin Concannon said Iowans will see movement in major federal child welfare indicators next year. The most important decision is to standardize risk assessments and differentiate services accordingly, he said.

Decisions on services, such as counseling, are based on age of a child, outcomes of an abuse assessment, and levels of risk in the home, such as drug abuse or domestic violence.

The DHS, he said, will focus attention on the cases where risk is greatest.

Some cases will cease to become part of the DHS system. These are cases in which there is no finding of child abuse, no indicators of danger to the child, and no mandate from a court to intervene.

A third group of low risk families will have the option of receiving short term counseling or referrals from an entirely new group, called the Community Care provider.