North Carolina Launches PATH NC Platform to Modernize Child Welfare Services

Introduction

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has introduced a new technology platform named PATH NC (Partnership and Technology Hub for North Carolina) to enhance child welfare services across the state. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by improving child protection and family support through innovative digital solutions.

Overview of PATH NC

PATH NC is a centralized digital system designed to unify child welfare case management across all 100 counties in North Carolina for the first time. The platform offers the following key features:

• AI-assisted tools to support decision-making
• Real-time access to statewide case histories and service tracking
• Offline functionality allowing caseworkers to work in the field without internet access
• Advanced search and analytics integrating data from multiple state agencies
• Dedicated portals and dashboards for providers and families

Implementation Phases

1. Phase 1 (Launched June 18, 2025): Initial rollout to 15 counties focusing on intake and assessment processes.
2. Phase 2 (Scheduled for 2026): Expansion to include ongoing services such as foster care and adoption case management.

Enhancing Decision-Making and Data Sharing

The platform integrates nationally certified Structured Decision-Making (SDM) tools, developed in collaboration with Evident Change, to standardize risk and safety assessments in child welfare cases. This integration supports SDG 16 by promoting effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

PATH NC enables seamless data sharing across county lines, addressing previous challenges where critical information could be missed due to fragmented systems. This real-time data access enhances child safety and supports informed, consistent decisions statewide.

Addressing Previous Challenges

• Prior to PATH NC, nearly half of North Carolina’s counties relied on manual or paper-based child welfare processes.
• Existing systems varied widely, with some counties using local digital tools and others lacking digital infrastructure entirely.
• Earlier statewide modernization attempts (2017-2019) were hindered by the absence of a unified practice model.

PATH NC’s development involved extensive collaboration with state and county leaders to build consensus and align agencies around a shared vision, ensuring the platform meets the practical needs of child welfare workers.

Technological Innovations and Future Plans

• Mobile-first design enables caseworkers to document visits and access records in the field, even offline.
• Data entered once can be used multiple times, reducing duplication and improving efficiency.
• Future modules will cover in-home services, foster care, adoption, licensing, and financial tracking.
• Introduction of AI-powered tools, including a chatbot for policy interpretation and a “case co-pilot” to assist with routine inquiries.
• Plans to integrate PATH NC with Medicaid, education systems, and the state court system to provide comprehensive child welfare insights.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

PATH NC contributes to the achievement of several SDGs by:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Enhancing child protection and support services to promote healthy development and well-being.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Ensuring equitable access to child welfare services across all counties through a unified digital platform.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Strengthening institutional capacity for child welfare through data-driven, transparent, and accountable decision-making.

Expected Outcomes and Recommendations

Success metrics for PATH NC include improved user satisfaction, reduced recurrence of abuse cases, expedited family reunifications, and enhanced consistency in decision-making. The platform aims to empower social workers and directors to better support children and families without replacing professional judgment.

For jurisdictions considering similar reforms, key recommendations include:

• Engaging experienced child welfare practitioners in the development process.
• Maintaining open and frequent communication with all stakeholders.
• Building agile processes that can adapt to evolving needs and challenges.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s PATH NC platform represents a significant advancement in child welfare modernization, leveraging technology and collaborative governance to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative demonstrates a commitment to inclusive, effective, and sustainable social services.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on child welfare and protection, which is a critical component of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The integration plans include linking with education systems to provide a fuller picture of a child’s academic records, supporting educational outcomes.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • By standardizing child welfare services across all 100 counties and improving access to data, the platform aims to reduce disparities in child protection services.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The platform supports better child protection through improved data sharing and decision-making, contributing to effective, accountable institutions and access to justice for vulnerable children.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable populations.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or other status.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.
   • Target 16.9: Provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Reduction in repeated child abuse cases (implied as a measure of child safety and well-being).
   • Faster reunification rates with families (indicating improved child welfare outcomes).
2. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Integration with education systems to track academic records (implied indicator of educational access and quality for children in welfare).
3. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Standardization and equal access to child welfare services across all counties (implied through the digital platform’s statewide coverage).
4. SDG 16 Indicators
   • User satisfaction among social workers and directors (indicating effectiveness and accountability of institutions).
   • Consistency and quality of decision-making across counties (measuring institutional transparency and inclusiveness).
   • Real-time data sharing and access to child and family histories across counties (reflecting improved institutional capacity and legal identity management).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: govtech.com