Overview: The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), through its Office of Quality and Innovation, initiated a project to ensure the integrity and accuracy of its statewide accountability system. This system plays a critical role in evaluating the health of the child welfare infrastructure across the state. To support this initiative, DCF issued a Request for Quote (RFQ 2223 081) seeking a qualified vendor with deep expertise in data analysis and auditing to carry out systematic evaluations of the system’s outputs.

Challenge:

DCF is legislatively mandated to develop and maintain a statewide accountability system that tracks and assesses the performance of the child welfare system by geographical circuit. A key challenge was ensuring that this system produced accurate, valid, and reliable data outputs essential for informing policy decisions and compiling the annual report due each December. The Department required a specialized vendor with skills in statistical analysis, data computation, and programming (notably in SQL and R) to audit these outputs on a routine basis. 

Solution:

Radiant deployed a highly skilled team of data analysts and technical consultants to support DCF’s mission. With a focus on audit integrity and data fidelity, we: 

  • Released RFQ 2223 081 under the State Term Contract for Management Consulting Services.
  • Defined a clear scope of work for auditing and validating data produced by the accountability system.
  • Set precise requirements for vendor expertise, emphasizing statistical proficiency and technical skills in SQL and R.
  • Established a strict timeline for vendor selection, beginning with a release date on February 23, 2023, and an anticipated contract start date of April 1, 2023.
  • Ensured transparent communication protocols and procedures for quote submission and vendor queries. 

Technologies Used:

  • SQL (Structured Query Language): For querying and validating relational database records.
  • R Programming Language: For statistical computations, data analysis, and visualization.
  • MFMP Sourcing Platform: Used for quote submission and vendor communication under the State of Florida’s procurement system. 

Outcomes:

  • Improved data accuracy and system reliability in Florida’s child welfare accountability infrastructure.
  • Stronger decision-making capabilities for state policymakers based on valid audit results.
  • A framework that ensures ongoing compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Enhanced public trust through the assurance of data integrity and transparency. 

Conclusion:

Through strategic workforce solutions, the Florida Department of Children and Families took a proactive and methodical approach to uphold the integrity of its child welfare accountability system. Our solutions, by engaging expert consulting services focused on rigorous data audits, the Department reaffirmed its commitment to quality, transparency, and continuous improvement in safeguarding child welfare outcomes statewide. 

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