The purpose of the Homeless Management Information System Project (HMIS) is to assist homeless service providers throughout San Diego County to implement and efficiently utilize. The long-term goal of the HMIS is to enhance agencies' collaboration, service delivery and data collection capabilities to achieve a regional approach to data collection and client management.
HMIS use ServicePoint, a powerful web-based data system that provides client tracking and case management, service and referral management, bed availability for shelters, resource indexing, and reporting. ServicePoint is specifically designed to meet the needs of varied human service organizations. ServicePoint is stored on a secure central server with firewall protection and SSL 128-bit encryption. The system allows varied agencies, programs and users to confidentially manage client data. All that is required s internet access and a web browser (i.e., Firefox, Internet Explorer). There is no additional software to install. Revisions and updates are made by the vendor on their server.
The RTFH supports regional users with help desk support, documentation, and ongoing training.
ServicePoint features include:
- Protecting client confidentiality by carefully restricting access
- Facilitating the secure sharing of data providers to help providers to effectively and efficiently perform client case management
- Data is accessible to all participating homeless service agencies
- User-friendly, requiring a minimum learning curve for data entry and generation of reports
- Program and agency-wide reports are easily produced by agencies
Benefits to Participating Agencies
- Increased ability to prepare statistical and programmatic reports for funders, boards and other stakeholders
- Saves staff time needed to gather client data, formulate statistics and complete funding reports
- Increased ability to track client outcomes and measure the success of services provided
- Increased ability to work collaboratively and to cooperate with other agencies to achieve meaningful results
- Significantly improves efficiency in delivering and managing services, resulting in tangible cost savings
- Resource savings which would otherwise be incurred if service provider had to create a system on their own