Another Flaw in State’s Computer System Reported

SACRAMENTO — A legislative committee continuing to investigate the state’s inoperable $300-million computer system to track deadbeat parents heard yet another example Monday of just how flawed it really is--but also heard a pledge to have a solution ready in 30 days.

Russell Bohart, director of the Health and Welfare Data Center, told legislators about the “flying data” problem:

Consider, for example, a social worker working on the Jones file while another social worker is working on the Smith file.

Information from one can somehow sneak into the other, so it could suddenly look as if Mr. Jones owes the $50,000 in unpaid child support that is really Mr. Smith’s responsibility.

“This is a mess,” said Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. “We’ve spent millions of dollars and we have nothing to show for it.”

Bohart and other state computer officials overseeing the Statewide Automated Child Support System told legislators from four Senate and Assembly budget and technology committees that they still don’t have answers to the key questions:

* Can the system be fixed and made to work in all counties?

* If not, what alternative can be devised?

* How much will it cost?

* Who will pay for it?

* How long will it take?

“We are working as aggressively as we can on the plan,” said Bohart, who promised to have it ready for another hearing in 30 days.

In 1988, the federal government required states to develop a statewide automated system to find people who owe child support and whose children are on welfare.

The state signed a contract with Lockheed Martin IMS in 1991. The system was initially estimated to cost $99 million, but cost estimates are now running above $300 million.

About $80 million has been spent thus far, of which $6 million was from state funds and the rest from the federal government.

Los Angeles, which has 28% of the state’s cases, has a separate system. That program, also developed by Lockheed, is the largest operational system in the country.