IT Changes at DHHS

A Publication Featuring The Information Services Technology of Maine State Government

IT Changes at DHHS

Effective July 1,2004, the new Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was created by the Legislature by merging the former Departments of Human Services and Behavioral and Developmental Services. DHHS’ focus is to upgrade services to adults, children and families, increase efficiencies, and improve relations with community organizations.

Organizational and functional changes are underway at the new DHHS. In August, I interviewed newly appointed, departmental Chief Information Officer, Craig Hitchings. He, and his staff, are in the process of consolidating the 110+ Information Technology (IT) personnel, in compliance with the statute’s mandate, to best support the Department’s mission (which is nearly finalized). Focused on service provision, the new organizational structure will be developed with the active input of all staff. Craig says "we have excellent people with good IT processes in place in both departments; our challenge now is to select the best processes of each for our new department."

While the IT structure is in transition, so is DHHS’ bureau structure, which must be approved by the Legislature in the next session. Commissioner Jack Nicholas has established a Commissioner’s Implementation Advisory Team (CIAT), composed of State employees and citizens, to work with DHHS staff, external stakeholders, and community partners. The CIAT will advise the Commissioner in developing specific recommendations regarding bureau structure and service delivery.

Although the following organizational chart is not final until the bureau structure is complete, Craig anticipates a major services-based structure will afford senior IT managers more insight into, and direct access to, the programs and bureaus they support. The leaders of the former BDS and DHS technology staffs, Walter Lowell, Joe Radziszewski and Brian Snow, will work with Craig to migrate to the new structure.

	Chief Information Officer

Medical and Children Systems	Health, Adult and Eligibility Systems	Integration and Infrastructure

Major Systems:	Major Systems:	Major Functions:
Mental Health (EIS) MaineCare (MECMS) Child Welfare (MACWIS) Capitation (MECAPS)	Eligibility (ACES) Public Health (IPHIS, CAREFACTS) Health & Environmental Lab (LITS+, StarLIMS) Long Term Care Placement (MECARE) Child Support (NECSES) Legacy (WELFRE)	Network Infrastructure Data/Systems Integration Desktop Support Web Development Administrative Support Special Projects

Craig has already implemented a significant change in the way DHHS procures personal computers and laptops. In July he signed a service level agreement (SLA) with the Bureau of Information Services (BIS) to lease computers, which will be refreshed every four years, while providing DHHS the flexibility to purchase equipment if desired. The SLA approach, coupled with a comprehensive inventory, allows for accurate budgeting and workload planning. Heretofore, hardware was usually purchased based on age and when an agency had the funds. Consequently, General Funded programs typically had older equipment, while neighboring federally funded programs utilized productivity boosting new computers. Since DHHS deploys, maintains, and services its 4,000+ personal computers, the SLA enables work to be anticipated and scheduled. The first order for 200 leased PCs was placed in August.

Craig is very interested in working closely with the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and complimented OCIO staff contributions to major DHHS projects. Recent examples include Mary Silva on the MECMS steering group, and Kevin Jones on the IPHIS development contract acquisition. He wants an "open and cooperative" relationship with the OCIO and BIS, and looks forward to "working together" to provide integrated solutions to the staff and clients of DHHS.

Craig was a technology manager in the former DHS for 5 years before his current appointment and is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with a career in information systems management. He and his wife Mary live in Augusta and make frequent trips to Bangor visiting their daughter Alicia, and grandsons Tristan and Craig.