This month I voted against a $18.5 million, six-year contract with Deloitte Consulting LLP to replace New Hampshire’s Bridges child welfare information system with the New Hampshire Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System. While I strongly support modernizing our systems to better protect vulnerable children across the Granite State, I could not in good conscience back this costly proposal, which lacks sufficient justification and risks squandering taxpayer dollars at a time when fiscal responsibility is paramount.

The tragic case of Harmony Montgomery remains a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen our child welfare system. However, exploiting her memory to push through an expensive contract without rigorous scrutiny is unacceptable. As Councilor Wheeler stated during the Executive Council meeting, “I think it is horrible to exploit the case of the death of Harmony Montgomery.” Using such a tragedy to justify a multi-million-dollar agreement without exploring more cost-effective alternatives undermines the trust Granite Staters place in us to manage their resources wisely.

Additionally, concerns about the timing of this overhaul resonate deeply. As my colleague Councilor David Wheeler noted, now may not be the optimal moment to update critical information systems, especially when more affordable and proven solutions could achieve the same goals. The proposed system, while promising improvements, comes with a hefty price tag and unanswered questions about its necessity and long-term value.

As your Executive Councilor, I am committed to finding innovative, cost-effective ways to enhance child safety and strengthen our welfare system. This means prioritizing solutions that deliver measurable results without burdening New Hampshire families with unnecessary costs. I will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility in every decision we make.

Granite Staters deserve a child welfare system that protects our most vulnerable while respecting the hard-earned money of taxpayers. Together, we can build a safer, smarter, and more efficient system that honors the memory of children like Harmony Montgomery through action, not exploitation.

As reported in InDepthNH:

CONCORD – New Hampshire will have a new and updated child welfare information system after the Executive Council voted 3-2 to support a formerly tabled $18.5 million contract Wednesday.
Executive Councilors John Stephen, R-Manchester, and David Wheeler, R-Milford, said they could not support a six-year agreement with Deloitte Consulting LLP of New York to replace the current New Hampshire Bridges state automated child welfare information system with the New Hampshire Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System.

The work involves tracking child welfare cases….

Wheeler, however, said he can’t support it and has heard that now is not the time to be updating information systems.
He also had a concern with invoking the Montgomery case.
“I think it is horrible,” he said, to “exploit the case of the death of Harmony Montgomery.”
Weaver said the system will allow for improvements in safety to protect children like her. 

-Paula Tracy, IndepthNH, Child Welfare Monitoring Contract Approved By Council in 3-2 Vote, April 9, 2025