October was a big month for Binti. Here are the updates we think will make the biggest difference in your day-to-day work, from smarter Universal Search to hospital respite and simpler service referrals.

Here's what's new.

Licensing

Find more people with improved Universal Search

Universal Search now finds people associated with foster care applications at your agency, as well as applications at agencies you work directly with, if applicable. For example, a state agency can now search for people associated with applications at its partner private agencies.

Universal Search now also recognizes typos and names that sound alike, so searching for “Smyth” can still find “Smith.” Your search term now stays in the search box on the results page, making it easy to adjust your search without retyping.

Clearer experiences for applicants and references

• A copy for your records. References now get a PDF of their signed reference form by email. Available at agencies where this feature is turned on. Please contact your CSM for more information.
• Straight to the right page. Document expiration reminders now link directly to the upload page for that document.
• Answers that stay put. On forms available in more than one language, answers are now kept when you switch or save in another language.
• Easier navigation. The Personal Information page now has a breadcrumb back to your application.
• Other adults stay in the loop. When a new license is started, other adults on the application now get an email letting them know what's left to do. Available at agencies where multiple licenses are turned on. Please contact your CSM for more information.

Improved visibility into background check history

Application History now shows background check activity for Other Adults, including adults who were later removed.

For license transfers, receiving agencies now see every background check that was shared, and the transfer form shows which checks match and which will appear under the sender's name. License transfer features are available at agencies where they're turned on. Please contact your CSM for more information.

Family Finding

Genograms are easier to read and update

• Genogram cards now show “(Deceased)” under the name for anyone marked deceased, matching the Connections list. It also appears in Download.
• Descriptions like “Relative,” “Married,” and “Divorced” now show as plain text everywhere, including the relationships table, the genogram, and dropdowns.
• When Binti asks “Who is their parent?” (or child, sibling, or partner), you can now choose several people, such as an aunt with multiple children, and each choice creates its own relationship. “Unknown / not listed” can't be combined with names, and leaving a prompt unanswered won't stop you from saving.

Placements

Placement Search dashboard and workflow improvements

• The Placement Search Dashboard and its CSV now show the Placement Need Summary.
• The My Open Searches count now matches your Placement Searches dashboard, even when a search has more than one worker.
• The Call Log browser tab now names the child, so it's easier to keep several open at once.

Service Referral Management

Service referrals, simplified

• Choose your columns. The Service Referrals dashboard has a new Columns button, and your choices are saved between visits.
• More referrals at a glance. The dashboard now opens with 100 results per page instead of 20.
• Fewer accidental accepts. A confirmation window now appears before a referral is accepted.
• Unarchive service contracts. Archived contracts can be brought back with one click.
• Cases no longer break referrals. When a case is deleted, its referrals keep the Case ID, marked “(Deleted).”
• Add a child on a closed case. Providers can now add a new child directly from the referral. Available to providers at agencies with closed-case access enabled, whose roles can create children and edit referrals.

In Summary

This month's updates share a goal: less time searching and double-checking, and more time for the children and families you work with. You can find people faster, record care more accurately, move referrals along with fewer clicks, and keep family connections clear and up to date. Applicants, references, and other adults also get clearer communication along the way.

Thank you for the feedback that shaped so many of these changes. Keep it coming, and talk to your Binti CSM about turning on any feature marked “available where turned on.” We're already working on what's next.