Child welfare predictive analytics systems
It is a clone of this request.
| Tracking # |
R001110-043021 |
| Submitted | April 30, 2021 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Todd Feathers
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
1) Contracts with any company, nonprofit, or other entity that currently provides software to the department that includes predictive analytics models for child welfare (i.e., models designed to identify home placement risk, abuse risk, human trafficking risk, etc.). This should include contracts for CCWIS or comparable systems that include predictive models as well as project descriptions for any models created in-house.
2) Data dictionaries for all child welfare predictive models used by the department, including those provided by outside entities as well as in-house models. Data dictionaries are documents commonly created for predictive models and databases. They describe the categories of data that are inputs (age, gender, etc.) and outputs (risk level, etc.) of predictive models. They are equivalent to headers on a spreadsheet, and do not include actual data.
3) A list of all memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and/or data sharing agreements with state or local agencies for the provision of data that is incorporated into the department's child welfare predictive models. Should the department not maintain a list of these MOUs, I will accept copies of the MOUs themselves.
4) Any differential impact assessments, validation studies, or comparable documents that describe the accuracy of child welfare predictive models used by the department. This should include any documents that describe common measures of predictive accuracy, such as area under the curve (AUC).
5) All department policies, employee manuals, and guidelines describing how employees can and/or should use child welfare predictive models.
6) All governance board, committee, or outside expert reviews assessing the efficacy of the department's proposed or current child welfare predictive models.
Should you have questions regarding any aspect of this request, please don't hesitate to contact me.
I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of each employ involved and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to fulfill the request.
Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portions from public review.
I would prefer the request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you very much for your help, and I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Todd Feathers
From:
April 30, 2021
MuckRock News
Todd Feathers
DEPT MR 108301 411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
SUBJECT: Confirmation Request Received on April 30, 2021
CDSS Reference No.: R001110-043021
Thank you for your interest in public records of the Department of Social Services. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the California Government Code. Your request was received in this office on 4/30/2021 and given the reference number R001110-043021 for tracking purposes.
Records Requested:
1) Contracts with any company, nonprofit, or other entity that currently provides software to the department that includes predictive analytics models for child welfare (i.e., models designed to identify home placement risk, abuse risk, human trafficking risk, etc.). This should include contracts for CCWIS or comparable systems that include predictive models as well as project descriptions for any models created in-house.
2) Data dictionaries for all child welfare predictive models used by the department, including those provided by outside entities as well as in-house models. Data dictionaries are documents commonly created for predictive models and databases. They describe the categories of data that are inputs (age, gender, etc.) and outputs (risk level, etc.) of predictive models. They are equivalent to headers on a spreadsheet, and do not include actual data.
3) A list of all memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and/or data sharing agreements with state or local agencies for the provision of data that is incorporated into the department's child welfare predictive models. Should the department not maintain a list of these MOUs, I will accept copies of the MOUs themselves.
4) Any differential impact assessments, validation studies, or comparable documents that describe the accuracy of child welfare predictive models used by the department. This should include any documents that describe common measures of predictive accuracy, such as area under the curve (AUC).
5) All department policies, employee manuals, and guidelines describing how employees can and/or should use child welfare predictive models.
6) All governance board, committee, or outside expert reviews assessing the efficacy of the department's proposed or current child welfare predictive models.
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant division(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question. Please be aware that the Public Records Act does not require the department to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions other than by providing records.
If you have any questions, you may message us via a direct reply to this email or access this request via the Portal and create a new message.
Sincerely,
Public Records Act Unit
Department of Social Services
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Act and Service of Process Portal (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=6HtRfOYLt5fXvpttM-2FU1HZ8TE-2BfgV6ENEJ-2FIdk4-2BG-2BapocEWGioGY3v3RJp8csTTYh7EtAfl-2BUAX1REGLpgI-2Fw-3D-3D_N2-_XP8LOEVFpM3GctKMBncEWIthw3mZ9c8jh2tc494GYchK9-2F4bdrwZezkmiWBhGcrtQbbn-2F2OBRBhJ7mcrXKEd0fSf3e-2BhY3L3SI2ZsrZODRGgBpZclOOjOdV5FI46ZdtAwklf5lsL2Wn1e63WaGB0KOFEUDyKt11v0WIvs3MhQcyUrTT2ITeNZdDF-2BXuFn7tu1WqWb0BZawZGxE50HleC2loGOilqHNP4ARpVlGjXXax4HgOyd3eHPYtlhDw6plyK)
From: Department of Social Services
Hello Mr. Todd Feathers,
Please see the attached response to your Public Records Act request
Thank you,
Raj Shandil
Staff Services Manager
California Department of Social Services
Public Affairs and Outreach Program
Public Inquiry and Response Unit
744 P Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone (916) 651-3351
Cell (916) 210-9041
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