HMIS 101: INTRODUCTION TO HMIS

1
HMIS 101 INTRODUCTION TO HMIS

• Melinda Bussino
• PATH Program, Brattleboro (VT) Area Drop In Center

2
HISTORY OF VT PATH HMIS

• When we began
• Why we began
• Barriers we found
• Successes we have achieved

3
INTRODUCING HMIS

• Getting buy-in from various potential players
• Who in your state may already use HMIS?
• How can you rally supporters?
• Who can fund your HMIS?

4
AGENCY LEVEL ISSUES

• Approaching key players at the Agency level
• Board members
• Staff
• Program Participants
• Funders

5
Talking Points

• Data driven issues such as HEARTH
• Funding driven issues such as provable statistics
• Centralization of information
• Customization of HMIS Software
• Reducing duplication of efforts for staff, and
  redundancy for program participants

6
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS

• Confidentiality issues and questions
• Learning curve for staff in entering data
• Need to have intakes follow the same pattern as
  the HMIS data screens
• Timeliness of data entry
• Need for up to date hardware and software

7
CONCLUSIONS

• Worth the effortbecause
• Where to start.
• Possibilities for the future