A new partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank aims to enhance case management for social assistance beneficiaries. The initiative focuses on introducing the Case Management Information System (CMIS), which is expected to change how social workers provide aid.
Beverly Forbes-Black, a seasoned social worker, began her career in 1983 as a Food Stamp Coordinator with the Ministry of Welfare. Despite opportunities for advancement, she remained committed to social assistance, motivated by her desire to impact vulnerable lives directly. Beverly and her colleagues are now testing a digital prototype designed to streamline their work processes.
"This system will be of great help to us as social workers," said Beverly during a field visit. "It will save time. I just pick up my tablet, and everything is there." Mrs. Mardelyn Benjamin-Mason and Mrs. Maxine Saunchez, also experienced social workers, expressed enthusiasm for the system's efficiency: "Unlike the old process—using paper, returning to the office, and inputting data on the computer—this system provides immediate results from our clients."
The CMIS allows real-time data capture and assessment of families' needs, enabling quicker responses and more accurate tracking of progress. This approach moves case management from a one-time intake model to long-term care, allowing timely interventions through integrated digital case files.
Examples of support include providing lenses for eye surgery and water tanks that improve daily life for families. Financial assistance has helped some build necessary facilities like bathrooms. These cases highlight how CMIS could enhance access to similar interventions.
Developed with support from the World Bank’s Rapid Social Response Trust Fund and Case Compass initiative (www.case-compass.org), CMIS follows international best practices in case management. It integrates with planned information systems in Jamaica and reduces barriers for both beneficiaries and social workers.
By focusing on human-centered design principles, CMIS aims to ensure comprehensive assessments without repetitive questioning, strengthening referral mechanisms for better-targeted services.
Looking forward, CMIS is seen as a tool that combines technology with human-centered processes to drive sustainable change in Jamaica's social services sector. For Beverly Forbes-Black, this transition represents not only an improvement in job efficiency but also enhanced hope delivery for families in need: "It’s not just about the technology," she says, "it’s about being able to help more families more effectively."