Digital Services Upgrade 'Exciting, Iterative,' Product Owner Says in Podcast

The “product owner” of the state Child Welfare Digital Services (CWDS) project known as CALS was interviewed in a podcast recently to explain the project and detail how it’s designed to improve children’s welfare in California.

CALS is state shorthand for Certification, Approval and Licensing Services, which is done under CWDS, itself a project of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Office of Systems Integration. The CALS product owner is Leon Elzie, an IT specialist with CWDS.

In the podcast, Elzie talks with OSI Communications Director Bill Maile about the CALS system and how it’s designed to simplify, streamline and strengthen the inspection and certification process for facilities, homes and individuals who apply to provide shelter for children who need placement. Elzie described it as "an exciting, iterative process."

Elzie also explains the relationship between CWDS, the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Technology, and he explains his role as product owner.

The podcast runs about seven minutes.

Besides Elzie, the CALS Digital Service Team includes Service Manager Phoebe DeMund. The development team is from Cambria Solutions, and the API (application programming interface) team is from HHS Technology Group. 

Vendors seeking to work with CWDS may be interested in the project's "For Vendors" page.