The Maryland Department of Human Services has created a new office designed to modernize the agency’s data collection and public reporting across its programs and divisions.

DHS launched the new data office’s webpage Friday, which provides information on replacing stolen benefits. The agency plans to launch a new interactive dashboard next month to share details on stolen benefits and release child fatality reports.

The new office has experts across DHS, including its social services, family investment, and child support administrations and local offices to help streamline and modernize data management and sharing practices.

“We are building a heart-led, data-driven culture, a key component of the Moore-Miller administration value set,” Rafael López, secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Services, said in a statement. “We are committed to being transparent in a way the Department has not previously modeled — making deliberate improvements to our data collection system by first gaining a greater understanding of where it falls short.”

The first three projects of the new Data Office will be releasing data around the replacement of stolen benefits, creating an interactive digital dashboard showcasing key departmental statistics from the Family Investment Administration and Social Security Administration, and, for the first time in the history of the Department of Human Services, make child fatality reports publicly available in partnership with State’s Attorney’s Offices statewide.

“Our ultimate goal is to make child wellbeing and support in Maryland highly effective and measurably more accountable to the families we serve,” López said.

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