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Recent expansions in the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) will also <br /> provide a valuable source of information on the nature and scope of homelessness. HMIS is a <br /> web-based data collection and client tracking system. All HUD-funded homeless programs <br /> are required to participate in the community-wide HMIS network which is managed by <br /> Dove's Homeward Bound program. <br /> Recommendation #l: The Homeless Council will conduct Point-in-Time counts of the <br /> homeless and estimates of housing needs on an annual basis, using accurate and <br /> consistent methods. The estimates of housing need will be based on PIT counts, <br /> utilization statistics and provider expertise. The Homeless Council will release the results <br /> to the City and the general public within 60 days of the count. <br /> Client Tracking. Many homeless providers utilize HMIS to enter and track individual <br /> clients. The HMIS system has expanded to include persons applying for assistance under the <br /> new HPRP program. <br /> When used system-wide, HMIS can improve client services and obtain valuable data for <br /> analysis and planning purposes. Not all homeless providers in Decatur use HMIS. By federal <br /> law, domestic violence programs such as Dove's are currently prohibited from entering <br /> client-level data in HMIS systems. Several emergency shelters do not participate. Pr�ject <br /> Success has not been invited into HMIS. Some non-participating providers will face <br /> challenges in terms of capacity, confidentially and logistics. With adequate support and <br /> training, most of these hurdles can be overcome. <br /> If every homeless program used HMIS to track clients, the community could eliminate much <br /> of the duplication and many of the delays that now impede the delivery of housing and <br /> services. In addition, universal use of HMIS would automatically generate a wealth of <br /> aggregated demographic data that would be useful to planners in spotting gaps and <br /> identifying needs. <br /> Recorrtmendation #2: Within legal limits, all programs that target services and housing <br /> to the homeless will enter client data in HMIS and keep information updated. As the lead <br /> HMIS agency, Dove will administer and coordinate HMIS, and provide aggregated data <br /> to the Homeless Council and the community. � <br /> Prevention <br /> State and federal agencies are focusing on prevention as an effective method of decreasing <br /> the number of households who are in the process of becoming homeless. As a result, local <br /> prevention programs have grown rapidly. Increased coordination among these programs <br /> could lead to a seamless system of services. By voluntarily participating in HMIS, the <br /> prevention programs could work together to identify and track households. <br /> Recommendation #3: Prevention programs will coordinate with each other and with <br /> other agencies in the Continuum of Care system. Along N�ith utilizing HMIS, prevention <br /> programs will conduct joint staffing to promote coo��dination at!he case level. <br /> Rev. 2010/02/19 21 <br />