HP Enterprise Services today announced it has been awarded a $20 million contract by the State of Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation to develop, design, implement and maintain the Early Learning Information System (ELIS) for the enhancement of the state’s early learning programs.

ELIS is a consolidated information system that manages the early learning programs used by 300,000 Florida families whose children attend the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education and School Readiness programs.

Under this applications services contract, HP will develop and implement a centralized child care management system. To achieve this, HP will deliver applications development and modernization services to provide enhanced system functionality, such as improved attendance tracking, provider payment processing, case management, eligibility determination and reporting.

“The creation of Florida’s Early Learning Information System will result in significant improvements to the way we are able to manage the state’s early learning programs,” said Brittany Birken, director, Florida’s Office of Early Learning. “This system will provide real-time information that will improve the accessibility, affordability and the quality of early learning services for Florida’s children and families.”

The new system will enable data sharing capabilities between educators, parents, providers and state agencies. HP will implement online self-service customer portals to improve customer service and ELIS accessibility for parents and providers to gain access to child development resources, early education information and referral information.

In addition, the system will assist with the identification of fraud and overpayments as well as streamline administrative processes by serving as the single point of entry for eligibility data. In support of Florida’s caseworkers, ELIS will offer increased efficiency by creating automated, repeatable and predictable processes.

“We look forward to assisting Florida with development of ELIS to enable the state to gain operational efficiencies while providing quality, inclusive early learning opportunities for children from birth through age five,” said Dennis Stolkey, senior vice president, U.S. Public Sector, HP Enterprise Services. “HP is proud to extend our 19-year relationship with the State’s Agency for Workforce Innovation by delivering best-in-class technical, functional and management expertise.”

Source:http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2010/100929a.html?mtxs=rss-corp-news