Maybe the lesson is that you need more than $200mil per year isn't enough to spread across 50 states, leading to a totally new level of child welfare using modern information systems. Doubly so when I'm sure the existing systems were beyond antiquated, underfunded, and broken. If you try to slap a new coat of paint on a wall that's falling apart you've achieved very little and it'll take a silly amount of effort.

> Transitional projects — legacy systems maintained while CCWIS projects are being completed — represent 85 percent of total claims, at $1.9 billion. New CCWIS builds totaled $331.1 million in claims.

> The median claim amount for CCWIS projects is $11.2 million, relative to $27.4 million for transitional systems.

> Factors that affect CCWIS project progress include the complexity of technological requirements, organizational readiness for modernization, reliance on transitional systems, and federal processes and requirements. State constraints such as procurement processes, staff capacity, and legal issues, also affect progress.

Almost like what these systems need more than a $2bn handout to whatever IT co's want a slice... maybe the real problem is in fact...

Salaries. Number of workers. Amount of oversight within the system. Lack of talent because the job is soul-crushing and pays like shit. A lack of infrastructure to place and care for children. A lack of policing priority. A lack of mental health infrastructure.

And so on. Well I guess that costs more and doesn't end up in the pockets of the Senate's biggest donors though. Think of the children my ass.