Homeless Services Network of Central Florida » HMIS

Bed Utilization Rates

Joel Remigio — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:25:39 +0000

HSN continues to monitor bed utilization rates for emergency shelter and transitional housing programs across the Continuum of Care. We obtain our data through HMIS and telephone surveys. The following chart illustrates the rates over the past four months (click to enlarge).

Rates appeared to stabilize after our first report in May. We attribute the drop in utilization not to less beds being in use, but to incomplete HMIS data in May. Several providers found client records missing program exit data, resulting in artificially high utilization rates.

HMIS Downtime for Major Upgrade, 8/5-8/6, 2010

Joel Remigio — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:26:26 +0000

We are scheduled to upgrade our HMIS software from ServicePoint 4 to ServicePoint 5. This is considered a major upgrade, so it will require for the HMIS to be taken offline at noon on Thursday, 8/5 until noon on Friday, 8/6. Please inform the HMIS Help Desk right away at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org if you must have access to HMIS during that time.

Did you say “major upgrade”?

Indeed I did. ServicePoint 5 (SP5) represents the culmination of nearly three years’ work by our HMIS software vendor, Bowman Systems. This is not just changing the colors on the screen; a lot of effort was put into making ServicePoint easier to use. Here’s some of what you can expect:

New user interface: New colors! Okay, so colors are not really that important, but those of us that have been using HMIS for a long time are pretty sick of seeing the same color scheme and we could do with a fresh look. (Am I right, Goodwill/HSN Employment Counselors?) However, the new color scheme is a part of an overall improvement in the readability of SP5. The software also has new fonts and better screen organization.
Streamlined workflow: You can quickly open and close whole sections of the screen to get them our of your way. We can also configure the system to completely remove sections your program doesn’t need at all.
Faster response: There is a lot less waiting for things to happen now. Yes, your Internet connection can still slow things down, but SP5 acts faster because it will access the Internet less frequently than before.

You say it’s better, but let’s see some proof.

We are offering three ways for people to see the new software.

We have a demonstration site immediately available for all current HMIS users with active accounts. You’ll be able to login and surf around the site on your own. Please contact the HMIS Help Desk at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org to request your login information.
Next week, we are offering guided tours of the new software for all users (past, present, or future) through web conferences. These web conferences will take place on July 12, 13, and 14 from 10am to 12pm. Please contact the HMIS Help Desk at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org to request access to one web conference session by 5pm on Friday, July 9.
Finally, we will have hands-on training sessions available both before and after the upgrade dates, August 5-6. Stay tuned for details on the availability of those sessions.

If you have any questions about anything related to HMIS, you can always contact our HMIS Help Desk any time via email at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org.

HUD HEARTH/HMIS Conference

Joel Remigio — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:49:21 +0000

The HUD HEARTH/HMIS Conference will take place September 14-17 in Denver, CO and September 27-30 in Atlanta, GA. The same program, including topics, sessions, and materials will be offered at each location; attendees may only register for one of the conferences. Pre-registration is required and opens June 2010. The conference will provide a lot of information for representatives to take back to respective communities re: HEARTH implementation with respect to program operation, data collection, and increasing community capacity to perform program and system-wide performance measurement. It is recommended that communities consider sending a CoC representative, policy representative, and HMIS System Administrator. HMIS SHP Training and Technical Assistance and HPRP funds can be used to send the selected representatives from the community to the HUD HEARTH/HMIS Conference.

HMIS Training Schedule, June-July

Joel Remigio — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:48:44 +0000

HSN continues to offer weekly training sessions for HMIS. If you have new staff that need training or would like refresher training, please let us know at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org.

Here’s the schedule for June and July.

Wed, 6/3, 9a-12p
Wed, 6/10, 9a-12p
Tue, 6/16, 1p-4p
Tue, 6/23, 1p-4p
Wed, 7/1, 9a-12p
Wed, 7/8, 9a-12p
Thu, 7/16, 9a-12p
Mon, 7/20, 1p-4p
Thu, 7/30, 9a-12p

Are we covered under HIPAA?

Joel Remigio — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:45:58 +0000

“Is my organization covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?”

HSN is asked this question because agencies that are so covered must sign a special agreement with us in order remain HIPAA-compliant as they participate in HMIS.

While HIPAA compliance can be daunting, the Department of Heatlh and Human Services (HHS) has an excellent set of charts that help you determine whether or not your organization is what they call a “covered entity” under HIPAA.

By my reading of these charts, HSN is not a covered entity.