Children and Family Futures provides training and technical assistance to help systems bridge information divides by identifying barriers and the development of infrastructure that supports cross-systems information sharing. Our areas of expertise related to information sharing include:

• National policy and regulation on data sharing related to substance use disorder and mental health treatment (e.g. HIPPA and CFR 42)
• Effective and evidence-based information sharing and communication policies and protocols
• Cross-system case management and data sharing agreements
• federal, tribal, state, and county administrative data systems

Multiple systems of care work together to adequately serve families affected by substance use disorders who are involved in the child welfare system. Information about their service needs, utilization, and outcomes often reside across various data systems. Cross-system information sharing is important in tracking the quality of care and helping all systems understand how services from each sector contribute to child, parent, and family outcomes.  Information sharing is the basis for tracking progress toward joint goals and ensuring accountability within multi-system collaboration. Yet, very few states or localities across the country can report on treatment outcomes of families involved in the child welfare system.