FCED Interface
Greetings, Union Family,
On November 13, 2026, your 008 and 005 board members met with DHA management to discuss the new Foster Care Eligibility Determination (FCED) Interface that is coming to replace SMART in December as a result of a state mandate.
Our team asked several questions regarding the changes and possible impacts, and management clarified that there will be no changes to the way eligibility and clerical staff at foster care process their work. The only change is how information is received from CPS. Previously, information would come in paper format. Now, everything will be digital, and staff will have the option to click “reject” on information received that is incomplete.
Training will take place beginning next week, and implementation will begin on December 7th. SMART will still remain in case there are technical issues, but it will be going away once the new system is confirmed to be operational. Training will be a mix of WBTs and in-person training, and there will be no impacts to staff schedules.
We also secured a 60-day hold harmless for any errors or omissions made while utilizing this new system.
UPE thanks advocates Debbie Tellez, Jennifer Avalo, Olivia Brown, Stephanie McCall, and Tony DeRego.
Together we are strong!
