CHRIS Kids in the News

Award Helped Keep CHRIS Kids in Compliance

By Allison Shirreffs
April 13, 2007

When CHRIS Kids Inc. walked away with last year's Technology Innovation Award (TIA), the organization's CEO, Kathy Colbenson, knew that the award's bounty -- $15,000 in consulting services, $25,000 worth of Microsoft Corp. software, $5,000 cash and a year's membership to TechBridge -- would have an immediate impact.

Major changes were taking place in her industry and technology would play a major role in accommodating them. "The award couldn't have come at a more critical time," Colbenson said.
The TIA -- given by global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company Accenture Ltd. to nonprofits in recognition of their effective and innovative use of technology -- may have recognized CHRIS Kids for its past efforts, but the organization would focus the garnered services and software on moving forward.

Historically, CHRIS Kids, an organization that helps kids who have been abused, neglected and rejected become contributing members of society, billed for its services on a per diem, per child basis. This July, however, after a mandate by Georgia's Department of Community Health, CHRIS Kids must send separate bills -- one for behavioral services and one for mental health services -- to different organizations. Although this "unbundling" of services will make Georgia compliant with federal regulations, it meant an overhaul of CHRIS Kids' entire infrastructure -- most notably a new way to bill for and monitor delivery of its services.

"It's a massive transformation of the whole child welfare and mental health system," Colbenson said. As part of the award, CHRIS Kids received consulting services from TechBridge, an organization that helps other nonprofits leverage technology to better serve the community. (Launched in 2000, TechBridge has saved Georgia nonprofits more than $1 million in technology-related consulting fees. TechBridge consultants designed a strategic plan that would get and keep CHRIS Kids' technology up to speed in the face of the upcoming changes. The plan allows for greater interface between departments, makes room for the federal government's stringent Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, and prioritized the organization's hardware and software needs. The plan also identified training methods and helped the organization develop a training manual.

"It hit every key functional area," Colbenson said. The bottom line, she said, is that the kids in CHRIS Kids' care will benefit. According to Craig Ramsey, Accenture's Atlanta managing director, that is a big reason why the consultancy began handing out the TIA six years ago. "We've seen the use of technology not only make a difference in these agencies [that have won the award], but also make a difference to the end users -- the people the agency is out there to serve," he said. "If we're better able to serve the community, and it becomes stronger and more stable, it's better for all of us. It's about helping each other." Ramsey hopes other organizations will see the example set by organizations like CHRIS Kids and follow suit.

"It's not just the money, it's the knowledge base," he said. "If we award nonprofits who are [using technology innovatively], others will notice and connect and see that maybe it's something they could do to help themselves." Having a strategic plan in hand makes it more likely that CHRIS Kids -- and last year's other two finalists, which also received TechBridge consulting services (Families First asked for help with its Web site, and Consumer Credit Counseling Service received assistance with transporting its computer network and data center to a separate facility) will have fund-raising success. "It shows that their organizations are well-thought-out and well-planned," said Jack McMillan, CEO of TechBridge. "And that means they're more likely to be funded."

This year, the TIA will be presented to a nonprofit for its effective and innovative use of technology in one or more of the following key areas: advancing its missions; increasing efficiency of day-to-day operations; improving effectiveness in serving clients and key stakeholders; and increasing fund-raising, advocacy or volunteer efforts. This year's winner will receive cash, software and consulting services valued at more than $45,000. Two finalists will each receive $5,000 in consulting services, $10,000 in Microsoft software, $1,000 cash and a one-year TechBridge membership.