Minn. Tries Again After Failed Software Project

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Human Services is back on the hunt for a software upgrade -- this time with financial help from the federal government.

The agency started advertising in the State Register on Monday for information on software systems that could be used to manage programs ranging from public health care to welfare and mental health programs.

A release from the agency says the federal government is contributing $20 million to the project, which will also get $2.5 million in state dollars.

Commissioner Lucinda Jesson says the project will streamline operations at one of the state's largest agencies.

The search comes about two years after officials abandoned a failed software project called HealthMatch after spending more than $40 million, including a legal settlement with a fired vendor.

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