In early 2006, the NYS Legislature and the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) initiated a pilot program to test how portable information technology could be used in child protective services casework. The pilot program is aimed at evaluating whether such devices facilitate increased efficiency and effectiveness in CPS investigations. The pilot program includes the following efforts:

• The current and fourth phase, the 2008-2009 Demonstration Project, has two parts. The first part, Towards the Development of a Business Case involves an in-depth analysis of the use of mobile technologies in three Local Social Service Districts in NYS. The second part, Assessing Mobile Technologies in Newly Deployed Districts, involves an assessment of mobile technologies to the local districts deploying in late fall 2008. Both parts are scheduled to be completed by January 2009.
  
  
• The third phase, the Demonstration Project in 23 NYS Local Social Service Districts, deployed over 450 laptops and tablets to 23 Local Social Service Districts in NYS. This assessment concluded in March 2008 with a summary report of findings across New York State districts and profiles detailing the findings within each district.
  
  
• The second phase is based on the findings from the first effort, and involved deploying laptops with wireless connectivity to over 135 caseworkers in Manhattan and Staten Island for the Extended Pilot in New York City’s Administration for Children Services. This assessment concluded in December 2007.
  
  
• The first phase, the NYS Portable Information Technology Pilot, involved small-scale pilots that were carried out during the summer and fall of 2006 in three local social services districts (LDSS): the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (NYC/ACS), Monroe County Department of Human Services, Child and Family Services Division, and Westchester County Department of Social Services, Family and Children's Services. This assessment concluded in December 2006.