The Evolution of Worker Connect: A Case Study of a System of Systems

Abstract

We discuss the rationale, development, deployment, and evolution of Worker Connect, a federation of agency systems that is used by authorized health and human services workers in New York City. We show how Worker Connect evolved with HHS-Connect, the organization that enables the integration and synergy of interagency health and human services systems. We show how the system of systems framework provides a way to understand issues encountered and lessons learned in developing and deploying Worker Connect and similar interagency human services systems. The first part of this article provides a history of the Worker Connect project in the context of a case study on achieving interoperability. The second part of this article introduces the framework of system of systems, and describes Worker Connect and HHS-Connect within this framework. The third part of the article describes future work, and offers some lessons for others wanting to implement a system of systems project for human services.

KEYWORDS:

• federation of systems
• health and human services
• HHS-Connect
• interoperability
• system of systems
• Worker Connect

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Linda Gibbs, Deputy Major of Health and Human Services and all of the stakeholders who have contributed to the success of HHS-Connect. The authors are grateful to Dr. Frances Tischler, Yehuda Perry, Eric Applewhite, and Louis Sell for their interest and insight.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Isidore Sobkowski

Isidore Sobkowski is Chief Information Officer, New York City Health and Human Services and Executive Director, HHS-Connect.

Roy S. Freedman

Roy S. Freedman, PhD, is Chief Scientist, Inductive Solutions, Inc., Consultant to HHS-Connect, Adjunct Professor of Finance and Risk Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of New York University.