Portable Access Services (PAK), a collaboration of three crisis shelters, have implemented a data collection system that has dramatically improved the service delivery systems of the three shelters.

By implementing an integrated seamless case record system with the three shelters, duplication of case records has been eliminated, care coordination has improved, and the duplication of services has been reduced.

In August of 2003, PAK received a grant to purchase and implement the KaleidaCare Solutions software with the following three crisis shelters in Phoenix (Maricopa County) Arizona: Crisis Nursery, East Valley Child Crisis Center, and West Valley Child Crisis Center . The implementation process was state of the art due to the willingness of the partners to make it as successful as possible. KaleidaCare seamlessly rolled out the software solution function by function across the three agencies.

The crisis shelters serve children, ages ten and under, who are removed from their home by child protective services or have been placed voluntarily by parents in crisis. Over the past twelve months, the shelters have served an estimated 700 children, and currently there are an estimated 100 children being served at the three shelters. The nursing and administrative staff, case managers, and volunteers use the KaleidaCare software to record basic demographic information, medical and developmental assessments, incident logs, case notes, client progress logs, and service activity.

The KaleidaCare software captures a majority of the client information and the staff can enter or retrieve information from multiple locations instantaneously. If a client has previously been served by PAK, the historical information is easily retrieved and duplicate entry is unnecessary. Medical and developmental assessments are no longer being duplicated which provides additional time for the staff to serve the children in care.

Due to the success of this project, the collaboration is currently seeking additional funding to add software functionality to further enhance their service delivery system.

The implementation process with the three separate agencies was a best practice example of agencies working together to maximize the benefits of the KaleidaCare software."

For more information about the Portable Access for Kids collaboration or Crisis Nusery, visit their website: www.crisisnurseryphx.com or contact Jennifer Stockard, Director of Administration, at 602-273-7363.

An Overview of Portable Access for Kids Case Study