Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- 6. Program Data
- A. Data Alignment and Integration
Describe the plans of the lead State agencies with responsibility for the administration of the core programs, along with the State Board, to align and integrate available workforce and education data systems for the core programs, unemployment insurance programs, and education through postsecondary education, and to the extent possible, the Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan. The description of the State’s plan for integrating data systems should include the State’s goals for achieving integration and any progress to date.
- A. Data Alignment and Integration
- 6. Program Data
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 6. A. ii. Describe the State’s plans to integrate data systems to facilitate streamlined intake and service delivery to track participation across all programs included in this plan
Current Narrative:
(ii) Describe the state’s plans to integrate data systems to facilitate streamlined intake and service delivery to track participation across all programs included in this plan.
In the long term, DHS is leading the creation of a long-term solution to sharing information between partners. MD THINK is a cloud-based technology platform to revolutionize Maryland’s delivery of human services. MD THINK represents the largest Information Technology project in the history of Maryland. This modern “client-centric” integrated platform will provide employees, partner providers, and constituents of Maryland’s human services agencies an efficient and effective platform for delivering collaborative services. A web and mobile front end will provide a central place to access any service from any participating agency. MD THINK is currently under development in phases. Phase I of development involves certain DHS programs and is slated to be complete by fall of 2020. The State anticipates that DHS’ partner WIOA programs will be included in a later phase of development.
Until then, in the short term, effective with MD Labor Policy Issuance 2017-10 – Partner Access to the MWE, MD Labor has expanded partner access to the MWE system to a read-only level. Expanding partner access to the MWE system to a read-only level requires a team approach, where agencies must triage clients in order to properly enroll them and provide the most appropriate services. Currently, PII, including SSN, disability status, etc., are stored and protected through MWE, where partners can only see information that is pertinent to their work. Additionally, limited read-only confidential UI information can be viewed through the MWE system and must be protected accordingly. MWE is a secure platform to protect the confidentiality of customers. As access to the MWE is expanded, client protections are central to determining appropriate partner security level. Each partner contact should only be granted access to data, forms, and reports relevant to their programs and those services offered by those programs, but they cannot edit, change, or add data or case notes to the MWE system.