DFR’s solution also required a shift in its data storage approach. The agency needed a secure storage environment that was easy to utilize. We leveraged a cloud-based environment for data storage, enabling DFR to capture eligibility submissions and efficiently aggregate records for processing P-EBT benefits.
- The deployed cloud-based environment allows for rapid point-in-time restores for up to 35 days. Backups retained for longer periods can be automatically stored in lower-cost archival storage tiers.
- In-memory store caching and enhanced cloud features increase application performance.
- Azure data center storage provides DFR highly redundant, agile, and scalable storage options and secure global access.
- To ensure the solution was integrated as smoothly and quickly as possible—a paramount concern given the urgency of the need—our team recorded video walk-throughs, facilitated recorded webinars, and provided FAQs and documentation detailing the new tool and processes.
This solution solves immediate service delivery challenges for DFR and can be scaled up as needed or modified to accommodate shifting program requirements.
“The P-EBT program presented an opportunity for FSSA and IDOE to work together on a federal program,” said Dr. John Keller, CIO for Indiana Department of Education. “Leveraging our access and connections to schools through our secure role-based portal, FSSA was able to gather data necessary to administer the program with confidence in the submission process. Resultant helped to broker this relationship and provided the perfect level of connectivity between our agencies with their technical expertise, project management and timely communication support.”
Following the successful implementation of its P-EBT administration tool, the State surpassed its service goals significantly, reaching more than 150 percent of the eligible students it had set out to reach.
Shields credits the solution for increasing the program’s reach: “This collaborative partnership that includes my dedicated staff, Resultant, and our colleagues at the Indiana Department of Education enabled our February issuance of P-EBT assistance covering the last quarter of 2020 to reach over 1,800 schools and provided direct benefit of over $82 million to more than 460,000 eligible students.”
Resultant continues to partner with FSSA and IDOE to explore ways in which data and systems modernization efforts across both administrations may serve the program as it continues to evolve.
