MCG Information Exchange is a developer of Internet-based, connectivity engines for the public sector. A connectivity engine provides a community of interest gateway between providers (providers of services to clients/members of the public) and public assistance organizations (i.e. state and county agencies for various programs) to increase service effectiveness and efficiency. MCG Information Exchange began developing systems for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1994. MCG Information Exchange involvement in large scale systems development for human services, dates back to 1986. As a division of Mid-America Consulting Group (MCG), the company was involved in HHS statewide systems in Ohio, Indiana, Washington and Wisconsin. In 1994, MCG Information Exchange built the Federal prototype system for Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS) to help states comply with federal mandates for automation. On March 1, 2000, MCG Information Exchange was spun off from its parent company, Mid-America Consulting Group, Inc. in order to focus on public sector opportunities. Within the last few years, MCG Information Exchange developed a new approach, called ProviderGateway, to utilize the possibilities now available via the Internet. ProviderGateway is the state-of-the-art system for coordination and communication within the many programs offered by public assistance organizations. The main purpose of ProviderGateway is to enable agencies to more effectively manage outsourced services through new or existing provider networks.