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An Overview of the STEVE System

The State and Territorial Exchange of Vital Events (STEVE) System is an innovative messaging application developed by NAPHSIS for the electronic exchange of vital event data between jurisdictions.  STEVE replaces the current, less secure practice of exchanging paper copies, line lists and printed computer abstracts which most states use today for record exchange.  STEVE will gradually replace the Secure Data Network (SDN) as the conduit for state reporting of statistical data to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

STEVE is currently deployed in nine jurisdictions, with plans to install up to 20 jurisdictions by early 2010.  Participation in STEVE will be open to all U.S. vital records jurisdictions, Canadian provinces and to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).  Additional trading partners may join the community in the future, as approved by the IJE Committee.  For purposes of this discussion, we assume that all 57 U.S. jurisdictions will become STEVE trading partners between 2009 and 2012, and will use STEVE exclusively for exchanging records with other jurisdictions and NCHS. 

STEVE software consists of two components:

• The Transformation Module (TM) contains the logic to transform the standard inter-jurisdictional exchange flat file layouts into secure message packets configured to each jurisdiction's data exchange laws and policies.  The TM does the preparation, transmission, tracking and delivering of messages into secure "mailboxes" for vital records and other authorized program users of the data (e.g., child support enforcement, immunization, birth defects).
• The  Controller Module (CM) is hosted by the vendor and is the central data repository for master file information collected from each trading partner, including points of contact, IP addresses, digital certificate information, jurisdiction-specific settings, parameters and configurations.  The CM allows the NAPHSIS system administrator to manage the trading partner community. Updates to master file information as well as new software releases will be "pushed" from the CM to all active TMs in the trading partner community. 

In order to become a trading partner in STEVE, each jurisdiction must:

·         Sign the Inter-jurisdictional Exchange Agreement administered by NAPHSIS

·         Sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with NAPHSIS and agree to pay the annual use fee and installation charges

·         Develop standard IJE file layouts for its electronic vital record exchanges

·         Agree to host the STEVE software (Transformation Module, or TM) on its own server behind its own firewall security

·         Provide secure connectivity from STEVE through its firewall to the Internet

·         Configure its data exchange and use rules within STEVE

Assistance is provided by NAPHSIS and the STEVE vendor to plan and carry out the installation with the jurisdiction.  Jurisdictions may request an on-site installation using vendor personnel, or may use their own IT services with remote vendor support.  The costs for each installation are specified in the MOA.