System Historical Origins
The origin of AWARE dates back to 1993. That’s when Alliance Enterprises, Inc. began development of its first vocational rehabilitation system for the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. This client/server based system, called STARS, reengineered and automated the agency’s business practices.
In 1996, the state of Oregon engaged Alliance to transfer STARS to their agency. Since that time, many agencies have adopted AWARE to support the delivery of Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Services. Today, AWARE is being used across the nation.
Overview
In order to keep the system current, Alliance updates AWARE to parallel the progression of federal legislation. In addition, AWARE is regularly updated to meet newly identified federal requirements and provide enhancements requested by agencies. It is strategically upgraded to take advantage of new technologies that improve the delivery of services.
AWARE consists of 17 modules, and hundreds of datapages (screens) and reports. From AWARE users can perform all tasks and access all data required to do the work of case management.
The Participant module covers the life cycle of a case from application through trial work experiences, eligibility, plan, job ready, employment and closure, and then to post employment services and follow-up. This module provides case narrative reports that mirror each datapage used in the system, and caseload reports to assist counselors and rehabilitation assistants manage caseloads.
AWARE will reduce the time you spend on information-gathering, eliminate redundant data entry and streamline the eligibility process, allowing you to spend more time on direct services benefiting participants.
The requirements of the Federal Rehabilitation Act and your agency’s policies, procedures and business practices provide the foundation for the processes used throughout AWARE. From the participant’s referral to the agency through closure, you will use these processes to document your case management work. In addition, information that assists staff and the agency is stored in the system and available for reporting.
Technical Environment
AWARE operates as a true web-based system, meaning it has
the accessibility of Internet technology coupled with security
to provide access to case information on a need-to-know basis.
You can access the system from any workstation within the
state’s network, or if allowed by agency policy with a secure
connection from outside the state network. Staff who works with
participants at schools, job sites or other facilities can
“check out” a case(s) and use LocalAWARE
to perform case
work in the field. Upon returning to the office, staff checks
the case back into the central system.
Design Goals
The current version of AWARE is the result of the combined understanding, efforts and wisdom of thousands of professional agency staff that work along side Alliance technologists, designers and analysts in defining the feature set, look and feel, and technical architecture of the system. In addition to creating a case management tool that meets all federal requirements, the system reflects the business practices that are common to VR agencies across the country. A national Users Group continues to provide input into the evolution of the product. Ease of Use
Streamlined Business Operation
Accessible Information Statewide
Supports Team Work Flow/Styles
Increases Accountability to Customers and Regulators
AWARE Modules
The AWARE system is designed around a series of sub-systems or tools called modules. Each module performs a different function in the case management process. The features and procedures of AWARE are consistent and standardized throughout all modules, and navigation throughout the system is easy. Since the system is designed around the natural flow of the case process and does not rely on acronyms or codes, its use has been described as “intuitive.”
The AWARE Main Menu is arranged by Case Management, Financial Management, and Organizational Management modules. These modules provide the tools needed to manage service delivery, case service expenditures, and the organizational aspects of the system. A brief overview of each module is included in Section 10.
AWARE Main Page
Case Management ModulesThese are the field staff’s essential tools for the case management process.
Financial Modules Field and central office staff will use these tools to manage the financial aspects of the case process.
Organization Management Modules Managers and designated support staff will use these modules to oversee internal matters concerning staffing, caseload groups and finances.
System Customization CapabilitiesThe evolution of the AWARE product technology fostered the development of portability (state-to-state) and modularity (one size won’t fit all) as design conventions to be incorporated into the system architecture. As a result, the system employs lookup tables and parameters that enable an agency to freely adapt the system thereby tailoring the functionality to most closely conform to their business practices and procedures. And, to go even further, AWARE supports a system of extensions, or external code modules, developed for the purposes of accommodating an agency’s unique business practices, that are linked to the core system. AWARE has over 50 lookup tables and 500 parameters that may be set by the agency. These parameters are stored in tables and can be updated by program staff. The parameters change the computer rules, data collected and, in some instances, the very operation of the system. Together with extensions these features provide the agency with unparalleled flexibility. The graphic below illustrates this conceptual approach as three concentric circles. The inner circle, titled "AWARE Core Functionality", represents the core system programs. The second circle, titled "Agency Parameters," indicates the extensive use of lookup tables and parameters available in AWARE. The outer circle, titled "Agency Extensions," represents the custom-built features that agencies will establish using the extend technology.
AWARE Customization Capabilities Distinguishing FeaturesIn building AWARE, Alliance focused on developing the core set of "standard" functionality needed in case management and one-stop operating systems. Therefore, AWARE has many significant capabilities and features that distinguish it from other OSOS or case management products currently available. Ease of Use The AWARE user interface was designed by and for the case management professional – not a technologist! Datapages are consistently organized in a logical sequence with sections that clearly group fields. Lookup lists, check box lists and mini-searches replace codes and acronyms. Case narrative statements (with word wrap and spell check) are integrated on the datapage so the requirement to move between screens is minimized. The menus are always in the same place and always perform the same functions. Furthermore, streamlined functions are available once a user has learned the layout of the system. Tool-based Programming AWARE has been developed using a set of standard programming tools or "routines." These routines provide "client/server-like" features in the "web" environment. Examples of these routines include calendars for date entry, check box lists, mini-searches and lookup lists. From the user’s perspective, these routines allow developers to program uniform looking, and consistently behaving, datapages and reports. From a systems perspective these routines provide consistency in development coding and program structure. In addition, as the technology improves changes can be made once at the tools level and affect the entire system. Highly Adaptable Using Parameters AWARE allows extensive adaptation without requiring modification of the software code. These parameters control what fields are displayed on the datapage, what fields are required, what values are available in lookup tables for which cases in what circumstances, and what functions users can and cannot perform. For example, there are over 50 parameters used in Authorizations and Payments alone. As another example, all 50+ AWARE lookup tables have Available and Expired dates. When an agency wants to change the lookup values available, perhaps due to a federal or state law change, an authorized user accesses the Lookup Maintenance Tool (part of the Help Desk Module) to modify the date values. The next time the lookup table is displayed the page will display the new values. Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities AWARE was developed from the ground up with accessibility in mind. A group of assistive technology professionals and individuals with disabilities reviewed every prototype developed and provided extensive feedback. Alliance has established alliances with the leading accessibility software developers (Freedom Scientific, the developers of JAWS and MAGic; GWMicro, the developers of WindowEyes; and Dragon Systems, the developers of Dragon Naturally Speaking). Alliance methodically tests each new version of AWARE with this accessibility software and, in turn, each new version of the accessibility products with AWARE. In addition to the above, Alliance formed an Accessibility Special Interest Group comprised of users who provide detailed feedback to the Company. On-Going Upgrades and Enhancements The AWARE web-based product technology and Alliance’s incremental release approach, keep AWARE evolving along with other technologies. Each release includes performance improvements, new features and integration of enhanced tool sets. This approach provides for maintainability over time, on-going upgrades, and support of the system.
|
