The first data collection period collected data from: a pre and post online survey, telephone interviews, and data extracted from CONNECTIONS. For a full description of the methods used please reference:

http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/reports/assessing_mobile_demo. Click on “Onondaga County” and see Appendix A.

The second data collection period used two types: videoconferences with a sample of caseworkers and supervisors, and data extracted from CONNECTIONS. Two video conferences were held with caseworkers and supervisors on September 8, 2008. Five caseworkers and eight supervisors participated. All participants were given sample questions prior to the videoconference focusing on: use, location, changes in work, integration into work like, satisfaction, perceptions of timeliness, and value to clients.

The CONNECTIONS data were pulled by the date a progress note was entered by participants during two timeframes—the pre-test and test periods. These timeframes were equal in duration. A total of 83,734 progress note entries and 4,406 unique investigation stages made up the dataset from 47 CPS caseworkers (see Appendix E for more information).