ATLANTA –­­­ The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) this week received a national award for its revolutionary use of technology to streamline access to multiple social benefit programs.
 
DHS earned the State IT Innovation of the Year award for its Georgia Gateway system during the Fifth Annual StateScoop 50 Awards Reception in Baltimore, Md.
 
Georgia Gateway was selected from a field of more than 50 nominees.
 
Georgia Gateway is a state-of-the-art, integrated eligibility system that works across four different state agencies to provide a single point of entry for social benefits programs, such as:

  •  Medicaid; Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid; PeachCare for Kids; Planning for Healthy Babies
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  • Childcare and Parent Services Program (CAPS)

“Our state has made many technological advances to expand the availability of self-service options to our residents,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “The team at Georgia DHS is to be commended for their work in implementing Georgia Gateway. Their innovative use of technology allows Georgians to easily access the services needed to help them on their journey to self-sufficiency.”
 
Governor Deal also was nominated for a StateScoop 50 Award, in the category of State Executive of the Year.
 
“Georgia Gateway is an unprecedented effort of state agencies working together to enhance customer access and public accountability,” said DHS Commissioner Robyn Crittenden. “The leadership and staff at DHS and all of our partnering agencies have spent years bringing this system to fruition and have a done a tremendous job. This award is a testament of our commitment to building stronger families for a stronger Georgia.”
 
This is the second major national award DHS has earned for innovations associated with Georgia Gateway.
 
In October 2017, the American Public Health Services Association (APHSA) gave DHS its top award in Effective Use of Technology to Improve Operational Services for the Enterprise Master Person Index (EMPI). EMPI, which replaced the Client Registration System, was key to the implementation of Georgia Gateway.
 
The annual StateScoop 50 Awards honor and recognize the achievements of top leaders and innovators in state governments across the United States. Other DHS officials nominated for awards were Chief Information Officer Venkat Krishnan (State Executive of the Year) and Integrated Eligibility System Director Laura Ellis (State Leadership of the Year).
 
Another DHS innovation nominated for a StateScoop 50 Award was the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) Mobile App, which allows individuals with child support cases in Georgia to make or receive payments, access case information and upload documents, among other features.
 
With more than 9,400 employees, DHS is Georgia’s largest state agency. Through its divisions of Family and Children Services (DFCS), Child Support Services (DCSS) and Aging Services (DAS), the department delivers a wide range of services designed to promote self-sufficiency, safety and well-being for all Georgians.