Regional Task Force on the Homeless
Home About the Task Force Board of Directors Homeless Information System HMIS Overivew ServicePoint Users Resources/ Publications Regional Homeless Profile Homeless Services Profile Distribution of Public Funds (2005) 2006 Report Due soon Regional Homeless Snapshot Related Sites Useful Links News Job Opportunities		ServicePoint™ - San Diego's New Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)! HMIS Overview : Purpose Features Benefits to Participating Agencies Executive summary
		Purpose The purpose of the Homeless Management Information System Project (HMIS) is to assist homeless service providers throughout San Diego County implement, and more efficiently utilize Client Management Information Systems (CMIS).   The long-term goal of the HMIS Project is to enhance agencies’ collaboration, service delivery and data collection capabilities and to bring additional agencies into the project each year to achieve a more regional approach to data collection and client management.  Currently the HMIS Project and it’s participants are using a software application called ServicePoint™. ServicePoint™ is a powerful web-based information management system that provides client tracking and case management, service and referral management, bed availability for shelters, resource indexing, and reporting.  The software is specifically designed to meet the needs of human service organizations from homeless shelters to food banks.  is available for use by any social service agency in our community. San Diego’s ServicePoint™ system is located on a secure central server with firewall protection, Windows NT RPC API encryption of network traffic and SSL 128-bit encryption across the Internet.   The secure system allows a number of different agencies, programs and users to continuously enter their client’s data and notes while being assured that the information is protected.  The system requires only Internet access and a web browser such as Internet Explorer Version 5.0.   There is no additional software to be installed and revisions and updates are made by the vendor at the central server with no inconvenience to the user. This internet-based client tracking system protects client confidentiality and restricts access to only authorized users.  Help Desk support, User Manuals and ongoing training are provided by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. Design Features HMIS has the following features: The system protects client confidentiality by restricting access The system facilitates sharing of data required by providers to help them effectively and efficiently perform their client case plan responsibilities Data is accessible to all participating homeless service agencies, if they have access to the Internet and have authorized access to the system The system is user- friendly, requiring a minimum learning curve for data entry and generation of agency reports Program and agency-wide reports are easily produced by agencies Agencies are supported through ongoing training and a "Help-Desk" E-Mail is used for on-line communication among agencies Benefits to Participating Agencies Increased ability to prepare statistical and programmatic reports for funders, boards and other stakeholders Saves staff and management time needed to gather client data, formulate statistics and complete funding reports Increased ability to track client outcomes and measure the ‘success’ of the services provided during a given time period Increased ability to work collaboratively within their own organizations, and to cooperate with other agencies to achieve meaningful results through multidisciplinary teamwork Significantly improves efficiency in delivering, managing, and overseeing services, resulting in identifiable cost savings Resource savings which would otherwise be incurred if service provider had to purchase and implement a system on their own