--- title: Blog | Team Northwoods | Traverse (2) description: Traverse | Expert content, inspiring stories, and resources for human services from our technology, practice, and policy experts. (2) --- - [Blog](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog) - [Careers](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/careers) - [Community](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/community) - [Company](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/company) - [Customer Portal](https://portal.teamnorthwoods.com) [![logo-northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image/logo-northwoods.png?width=229&height=49&name=logo-northwoods.png "logo-northwoods")](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/) - [Products](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products) - [Traverse®](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse) - [Adult & Aging](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Adult-Aging) - [Child Support](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Child-Support) - [Child Welfare](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Child-Welfare) - [Economic Assistance](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Economic-Assistance) - [Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services) - [Case Aide Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/services/case-aide-services) - [Project Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Project-Services) - [Integration Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Integration-Services) - [Consulting Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Consulting-Services) - [Support Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Support-Services) - [Customer Stories](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Customer-Stories) - Insights - [Buying Modern Technology](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/human-services-technology-funding-resources) - [Change Management in Human Services](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/change-management-in-human-services) - [Resources for Child Welfare](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/state-resources-child-welfare) - [Social Work Burnout](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/social-work-burnout) - [Resources](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog) - [Blog Subscribe](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/blog-subscription-center) - [Customer Stories](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Customer-Stories) - [eBooks](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/eBooks) - [Infographics](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Infographics) - [Videos](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Videos) - [Webinars](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Webinars) - [Get In Touch](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Get-In-Touch-Contact) # Blog Our blog isn’t about us. It’s about you. We discuss business challenges and real issues human service agencies and caseworkers face everyday. You’ll find traditional human services software articles about things like document management for human services and social work technology. But you’ll also find inspirational stories to boost caseworkers’ spirits and tools to help agencies find and gain support for technology in human services. go [![Engagement vs. Efficiency: Which Matters More for Economic Assistance?](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2021/08-12-2021%20EA%20Technology%20Benefits%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/engagement-and-efficiency-for-economic-assistance) Posted Thursday, August 12, 2021 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Engagement vs. Efficiency: Which Matters More for Economic Assistance?](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/engagement-and-efficiency-for-economic-assistance) Economic assistance program leaders are typically motivated to modernize their technology for one of two reasons—improving client engagement or increasing caseworker efficiency. Both are important, but which one has a larger impact across the agency? I’ll give you a hint … that’s a trick question! If you evaluate technology through just one of these lenses, you may inadvertently hinder your agency from realizing its full potential. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/engagement-and-efficiency-for-economic-assistance) [![Connect the Dots: How Traverse Supports Kinship, Trauma-Informed Care](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2021/07-30-2021%20Traverse%20Connect%20the%20Dots%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/how-traverse-supports-kinship-and-trauma-informed-care) Posted Friday, July 30, 2021 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Connect the Dots: How Traverse Supports Kinship, Trauma-Informed Care](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/how-traverse-supports-kinship-and-trauma-informed-care) Child welfare caseworkers need to know how technology supports their practice, priorities, and daily work. Otherwise, it’s just another obstacle standing in the way of their mission to help kids and families. Keep reading for a preview of how [Traverse](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse), our [cloud-based document management, forms management, and mobility software for child welfare](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Child-Welfare), supports kinship and trauma-informed care—two things we know caseworkers want to learn more about. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/how-traverse-supports-kinship-and-trauma-informed-care) [![Not Your Average Electronic Document Management System](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2021/05-27-2021-Not-Your-Average-EDMS-Feature.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/not-your-average-electronic-document-management-system) Posted Thursday, May 27, 2021 by [Rupam Chokshi](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/rupam-chokshi) ## [Not Your Average Electronic Document Management System](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/not-your-average-electronic-document-management-system) When you think about the term “electronic document management” in human services, what comes to mind? Converting paper-based case files to digital ones that you simply scan and store in an electronic filing cabinet? Maybe some basic workflows built in to help automate processes? I’ve worked in document management for almost two decades now. Technology has changed drastically. Most electronic document management systems (EDMS) available to human services agencies have evolved, yet they still haven’t quite kept pace with agencies’ needs. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/not-your-average-electronic-document-management-system) [![Readers' Choice Recap: Top Blog Posts of 2020](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2020/2020%20Recap%20Feature%20Options.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2020) Posted Tuesday, December 15, 2020 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Readers' Choice Recap: Top Blog Posts of 2020](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2020) As another year comes to a close (thank goodness!), it's time to recap our top blogs of 2020. Below is a countdown of this year's posts that our readers found most insightful. Remember, you can [subscribe any time](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/blog-subscription-center) to make sure you never miss out on future content. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2020) [![How Mesa County is Using Traverse to Strengthen Families: A Case Study](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2020/Mesa%20Blog%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/mesa-county-traverse-child-welfare-case-study) Posted Monday, October 5, 2020 by [Chuck Barber](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/chuck-barber) ## [How Mesa County is Using Traverse to Strengthen Families: A Case Study](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/mesa-county-traverse-child-welfare-case-study) "A system like this is absolutely needed to support caseworkers to do what I believe they are walking through the door to do. That's to keep kids safe, to find them permanency, and to assist families in being healthy and self-sufficient." When asked why Mesa County Department of Human Services (DHS) chose to implement Northwoods’ child welfare solution Traverse®, Child Welfare Director Joe Kellerby said it’s because agency leadership believed the software could empower caseworkers to meet the goals above. How? By minimizing administrative burdens to enhance critical work, thus allowing caseworkers to fully focus on building trust, engaging families, and reducing trauma. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/mesa-county-traverse-child-welfare-case-study) [![Software to Support Remote Work: 5 Ways Traverse Helps Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2020/04-27-2020-Traverse-for-Remote-Work.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/5-ways-traverse-supports-child-welfare-remote-work) Posted Monday, April 27, 2020 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Software to Support Remote Work: 5 Ways Traverse Helps Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/5-ways-traverse-supports-child-welfare-remote-work) Technology can never replace human interaction in child welfare. And it shouldn’t. Connecting with children and families is fundamental to improving outcomes and well-being. The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused many child welfare agencies to quickly pivot to [support a remote workforce](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/managing-remote-teams-in-human-services), and enable people to connect and share important information in new and different ways. Some child welfare experts predict [connecting remotely will become part of the new normal for child welfare](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/remote-teams-child-welfare) through things like video chats, collaboration apps, or instant messaging tools. [Traverse, Northwoods’ child welfare software](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse), is empowering remote work across the country today, while supporting caseworkers’ efforts to provide critical service delivery, in a variety of ways. Here are five best practices from agencies using Traverse. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/5-ways-traverse-supports-child-welfare-remote-work) [![Traverse Quick Tips for Remote Workers](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Traverse%20Tips%20Blog.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/traverse-quick-tips-for-remote-workers) Posted Friday, April 3, 2020 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Traverse Quick Tips for Remote Workers](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/traverse-quick-tips-for-remote-workers) To our Traverse® customers, As essential services personnel, having the right tools in your toolbox is important as you need to access information quickly, wherever you might be. To support you in your continuing efforts to keep children, families, and yourselves safe during this time, here are seven tips for making the most of Traverse. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/traverse-quick-tips-for-remote-workers) [![Don't Get Spooked by Artificial Intelligence for Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/Halloween-blog-cover.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/dont-get-spooked-by-artificial-intelligence-for-child-welfare) Posted Thursday, October 31, 2019 by [Lauren Hirka](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/lauren-hirka) ## [Don't Get Spooked by Artificial Intelligence for Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/dont-get-spooked-by-artificial-intelligence-for-child-welfare) Can [artificial intelligence](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-technology-and-business-terms-to-know#artificial-intelligence) (AI) really help my caseworkers? Or is it all just a bunch of hocus pocus? This is one of the most common questions we hear when introducing child welfare agencies to the concept of [case discovery](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/meet-traverse-case-discovery), which leverages AI. (Okay, maybe not the hocus pocus part … but come on, it’s Halloween!) We interact with AI almost daily—think Siri, Alexa, or even your Roomba. It continues to gain traction in government and is seen as the [emerging technology with the most potential](https://www.routefifty.com/tech-data/2019/10/artificial-intelligence-state-government-growth/160637/) by state chief information officers. Yet, the concept still seems scary in the context of child welfare. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/dont-get-spooked-by-artificial-intelligence-for-child-welfare) [![Child Welfare Call to Action: Don't Wait to Innovate](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/2019/03-01-2019%20Child%20Welfare%20Innovate%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-call-to-action-dont-wait-to-innovate) Posted Friday, March 1, 2019 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Child Welfare Call to Action: Don't Wait to Innovate](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-call-to-action-dont-wait-to-innovate) The idea of technology innovation can be simultaneously exciting and overwhelming in child welfare. On one hand, the potential to impact outcomes with mobility, analytics, or artificial intelligence (AI) is enticing. Imagine how quickly you’ll be able to initiate meaningful supportive services for children and families if you’re not tethered to the office or archaic ways of service delivery. Imagine if you could gain immediate insight from a wealth of historical knowledge to inform quick decisions about safety. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-call-to-action-dont-wait-to-innovate) [![Connecting the Dots: How Traverse Can Positively Impact a Child’s Life](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/01-17-19%20Traverse-use-cases-feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/connecting-the-dots-how-traverse-can-positively-impact-a-childs-life) Posted Thursday, January 17, 2019 by [Lauren Hirka](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/lauren-hirka) ## [Connecting the Dots: How Traverse Can Positively Impact a Child’s Life](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/connecting-the-dots-how-traverse-can-positively-impact-a-childs-life) Cases increasing in complexity. Increased referrals. Impact of opioids. Rising need for out-of-home placement. Antiquated systems and processes. Employee turnover and retention. These are just a handful of the challenges that make it difficult for child welfare agencies to fulfill their missions to safeguard and deliver the highest possible quality of service to the most vulnerable children, youth, and families in their communities. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/connecting-the-dots-how-traverse-can-positively-impact-a-childs-life) Pages: [Prev](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/topic/traverse/page/1) [1](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/topic/traverse/page/1) [2](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/topic/traverse/page/2) [3](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/topic/traverse/page/3) [Next](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/topic/traverse/page/3) [Return Top](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/topic/traverse/page/2#first-post) - [Products](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products) - [Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services) - [Customer Stories](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Customer-Stories) - [Resources](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources) - [Community](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Community) - [Company](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Company) - [Careers](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/careers) - [Customer Portal](https://portal.teamnorthwoods.com/?__hstc=102083102.ff13bfbc795ffd9ff295caa61ce7dfce.1650473119683.1650481552054.1650558108798.4&__hssc=102083102.1.1650558108798&__hsfp=1912299359) - [Blog](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog?__hstc=102083102.ff13bfbc795ffd9ff295caa61ce7dfce.1650473119683.1650481552054.1650558108798.4&__hssc=102083102.1.1650558108798&__hsfp=1912299359) - [Get In Touch](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Get-In-Touch-Contact) ## Northwoods Corporate Office **5200 Rings Road** Dublin, OH 43017 Phone: 614.781.7800 - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwoods) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheTeamNorthwoods) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/teamnorthwoods/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/teamnorthwoods) Copyright © 2024, Northwoods Consulting Partners, Inc., All Rights Reserved All content is owned by Northwoods unless otherwise indicated. 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