Fred Berry fberryinfolineinc org www infolineinc org 330

Fred Berry fberry@infolineinc. org www. infolineinc. org (330) 315 -1381 (330) 253 -1137 Fax

Why? l Direct benefits to agencies & homeless clients – l l Access to standardized, historical data for funding reports Group project means less investment for individual participating agencies HUD requirement

Planning Tool l l l Coordination of Services Standardized, Managed, and Secure Data Reporting Across the Continuum of Care Trend Analysis Gaps Analysis Immediate Communications Shared Information

Co. C has Established an HMIS Advisory Committee l l Program policies and standards Evaluation criteria Use of aggregate HMIS data for – reporting – quality assurance – system improvement – resource allocations – service coordination Advise Info Line on relevant homeless issues

Info Line will … l l l Administer the project Host the database Maintain the servers Follow disaster recovery procedures Provide training and technical support

Participating agencies will … l l Attend training and have access to phone, e-mail, and one-on-one technical support Connect to the Info Line’s network and the database through the internet Track clients and services in a specialized HUDapproved database software through a secured network environment Create reports based on agency needs

Participating agencies will … l Receive an individualized readiness plan l l l Can existing computer equipment access the HMIS database? Is existing connectivity sufficient? What training does the staff need to use a database, the internet, and the computer? Is the agency’s infrastructure ready to implement a new HMIS system? How can the agency’s current client tracking system be incorporated into the new system? Evaluate the system and recommend changes

Pilot Program l l l ACCESS Community AIDS Network Haven of Rest Ministries

Listserv and Bulletin Board l l l Immediate communications across the Co. C Community – Update each other in real time about services and vacancies available on any given day – Listings of all continuing education opportunities and agency announcements – Postings of policies and procedures, and HMIS forms All homeless providers invited to participate No cost for participants except for connectivity and staff time

Direct Benefits to Homeless Community l l Communicate required data in a timely fashion and in a format which meets the needs of the City of Akron’s Planning Department, HUD, and participating agencies. Identify service gaps and barriers. Share aggregate data with all stakeholders: agencies, funders, government, and planners. Assist in deciding priorities and future directions throughout the Continuum of Care.

QUESTIONS? Fred Berry fberry@infolineinc. org www. infolineinc. org (330) 315 -1381 (330) 253 -1157 Fax