CGI Group Inc. (TSX: GIB.A; NYSE: GIB), a leading provider of information technology and business process services, today announced Alaska's Office of Children's Services (OCS) Web-based statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) achieved Tier 2 compliance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
"Achieving Tier 2 compliance is no small feat," said Tammy Sandoval, Director of the Alaska Office of Children's Services. "We have a team that is dedicated to the success of the SACWIS system, which significantly helps us protect the children in our care. This project has been and continues to be a rewarding engagement and we are very grateful for CGI's contributions toward achieving this notable milestone."
Once a state's SACWIS becomes operational, the ACF Division of State Systems (DSS) reviews the system's functionality against federal requirements and the state's Implementation Advance Planning Document - the roadmap outlining how the SACWIS system operates. DSS conducts an in-depth review of the system to gauge compliance with SACWIS-required functionality, ensure it supports state child welfare services business practices; and that it is accepted and used by front-line workers, supervisors, managers and other users. Tier 2 compliance results from a successful completion of the review.
CGI began working with Alaska in 2003 to modernize the state's child welfare management system. The resulting Web-based system, Online Resource for the Children of Alaska (ORCA), went live in 2005. ORCA allows more than 450 staff members in 28 locations to instantly share information about the thousands of child abuse and neglect cases investigated each year. ORCA consolidated seven separate databases into a single system, increasing operational efficiency, eliminating many paper-based processes, and reducing delays in day-to-day business.
"CGI is proud to be a part of this important project with Alaska and we extend our congratulations to the State for achieving this notable milestone," said Caroline Rapking, Vice-President of CGI's U.S. state and local government industry group. "OCS has demonstrated their dedication to serving the children and families of Alaska by building a case management tool to support caseworkers in the delivery of mission critical services to those in need."
Alaska joins Wisconsin as the only other Web-based SACWIS to achieve compliance with action plans. CGI also implemented Wisconsin's system, eWiSACWIS.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in North America, Europe and India. CGI's annual revenue run rate stands at $4.0 billion and at December 31, 2008, CGI's order backlog was $11.4 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices. Website: www.cgi.com.
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For more information:
Investors
Lorne Gorber
Vice-President, Global Communications and
Investor Relations
lorne.gorber@cgi.com
514-841-3355
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Linda Odorisio
Vice-President, US Communications
linda.odorisio@cgi.com
703-267-8118
