NYC Department of Social Services

Since June 2016, Ariel Partners has provided a wide range of services to the New York City (NYC) Department of Social Services (DSS)/Department of Homeless Services (DHS).  Ariel is assisting the NYC DSS Information Technology Services (ITS) division in its efforts to streamline and modernize its operations, which includes the establishment of a new virtualized and hardened software infrastructure, adoption of Agile and DevOps practices, building and extending an Enterprise Data Warehouse, improving safety and services at intake centers, and development of a significant portfolio of new web and mobile applications. These improved capabilities are instrumental for DSS/HRA/DHS to respond to a mayoral mandate to significantly improve services and to open 90 new shelters over the next eight years. The initiative requires DSS to improve the quality of care, improve success rates for clients leaving the shelter system and re-entering the workforce, reduce “overflow” usage of commercial hotel rooms, and close older shelters that offer few services and exhibit dangerous conditions.