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HMIS - Homeless Management Information Systems
At COHHIO’s 2001 Annual Conference, several homeless service providers
indicated that they would like to learn more about how to accurately and
consistently track homeless individuals and families. Through the use
of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), many communities throughout
the state are already using some type of centralized, automated data collection
systems to compile and aggregate information on homeless services and
the persons who utilize them.
With the need to collect and maintain this information becoming increasingly
more important, so too has the need to establish common data standards
across jurisdictions. In simplified terms, we need to make sure that we
are comparing “apples to apples.” These standards include
everything from identifying what information should be collected, instituting
uniform measures by which this information is collected, and developing
explicit methods that outline relevant reporting procedures. By establishing
common data standards, collection techniques, and reporting methods, HMIS
data can be compared across jurisdictions in an effort to better understand
the dynamics of homelessness and the overall effectiveness of the services
available.
In an effort to use the world wide web as a tool to exchange and share
ideas, we are going to start posting information relevant to HMIS on the
COHHIO web page. This section of the page will be set aside specifically
for issues related to tracking homeless individuals and families. This
is very much a work in progress, but we hope to maintain a site that provides
useful and timely information regarding a variety of issues associated
with HMIS. This information could include everything from links to other
HMIS related sites, to on-line survey instruments.
In addition to posting HMIS related research information, this portion
of the web page will be used to provide updates on progress toward the
development and implementation of a balance-of-state HMIS system.
If you are interested in HMIS related issues, please check back often.
In the meantime, please contact Rick Taylor at ricktaylor@cohhio.org
if you have ideas and/or suggestions on how to make this section of the
COHHIO web page a tool that can be used to exchange and share ideas.
HMIS Links
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/hmis/index.cfm
HMIS List Serv
If you are interested in joining a list serv specific to Homeless Management
Information Systems (HMIS), please contact Rick Taylor via e-mail at ricktaylor@cohhio.org.
This list serv is an opportunity to share ideas and exchange information
regarding HMIS related issues. Homeless Management Information Systems
(HMIS). COHHIO has been working several homeless service providers in
rural areas of the state, in an effort to develop a plan and implementation
strategy related to a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for
balance-of state (i.e. non-entitlement) communities. COHHIO staff contact:
Rick Taylor, Managing Director.
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