HMIS SUMMIT
July 27-29, 2021
Welcome to the 2021 Virtual HMIS Summit, Achieving Success in a Changing World! The HMIS world is currently experiencing an array of changes, and we want to make sure to highlight this shift in this year’s summit.
The event is now complete, and the recordings of all of the sessions can be found below!
List of Sessions
Using the HMIS for Case Management
Tuesday, July 27th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Thurston Alexander-Smith
Did you know that when Community Services was conceived over 20 years ago, it was as a case management software? Many current HMIS users are unaware that Community Services contains a robust suite of case management functionality to help clients meet their goals, all fully integrated into the HMIS. This session is an exploration of the HIPAA-compliant case management tools available to all community partners at no extra cost.
Agency Admin Session: Provider Page Maintenance
Tuesday, July 27th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Angela Gougherty and Beth Hurkman
This session provides an overview of important data standards and features required for accurate provider page setup. The creation and maintenance of provider pages is essential for workflow setup, regulatory compliance, and reporting requirements. Agency Administrators will learn how to audit their agency’s provider pages and how to make updates accordingly.
The Future of Data Strategy for Homeless Services
Tuesday, July 27th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Gerry Leslie
Our current environment, which has been shaped by COVID-19 and a new reality of service delivery, has further underlined how important data is for identifying future trends and addressing critical needs of clients who are in crisis. During this session, attendees will learn more about how our systems of care will link data from multiple sources to get a holistic look at client needs, which will help link those we serve with the most appropriate resources as they embark on a path to stability.
2022 HUD HMIS Data Standards
Tuesday, July 27th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Angela Gougherty and Jill Shoemaker
This session will introduce the upcoming HMIS data standards that will go live October 1st. Many of the new standards are descriptive in nature, however there are several brand new elements. Attendees will learn what the elements are in preparation for the October 1st “go live” date.
Data Quality: APR/CAPER
Tuesday, July 27th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Angela Gougherty and Beth Hurkman
While required for ESG and CoC reporting, the Annual Progress Report (APR) and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) can be used by any HMIS user to maintain and monitor basic data quality. Attendees will learn how to review and fix data errors in the APR and CAPER.
HMIS Site Review
Tuesday, July 27th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Jill Shoemaker
This session will roll out the new virtual HMIS site review process for HMIS Leads, Local System Administrators, and Agency Administrators. Attendees will be introduced to the site review template to gain a thorough understanding of how to complete either a virtual or in-person review.
Harnessing Technology to Equitably Meet the Needs of Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Wednesday, July 28th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Angela Gillisse and Maranda VanZegeren
Technology has the ability to increase transparency, access, and equity in the deliver of homeless services in Kent County. Community Housing Connect enables families experiencing a housing crisis to access an online assessment and referral tool 24/7 and the ability to meet directly with a Solutions Specialist within five days depending on risk level to begin a housing plan.
This session will focus on Michigan-specific data but may be useful to all users.
A Basic Guide to ART Reports
Wednesday, July 28th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Angela Gougherty
This session includes an overview of ART reports in Community Services and a review of popular reports.
Coordinated Entry
Wednesday, July 28th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Jill Shoemaker
This session will review the 2019 HMIS Coordinated Entry (CE) data entry elements as well as introduce several new 2021 Coordinated Entry HMIS data elements. Various challenges experienced by communities throughout Michigan and North Carolina as well as best practices will be discussed in this session.
A Basic Overview to Stock Dashboard Reports
Wednesday, July 28th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Angela Gougherty
This session includes an overview of Stock Dashboard Reports in Community Services and a review of popular reports.
Maximizing CallPoint
Wednesday, July 28th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Thurston Alexander-Smith
Coordinated Entry has radically transformed service delivery for many of our communities. Rarely used in the past, the CallPoint module (now known as “Calls”) has made a significant resurgence, allowing communities to quickly triage clients make direct referrals to programs, and even measure the workload of a Coordinated Entry system, including diversion efforts. Want to know more? This session will explore the significant functionality of a CallPoint module and will include discussion with some of the partners using it effectively in their communities.
Dissecting CSV Export Data
Wednesday, July 28th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Grace Ronkaitis
Many HMIS reports use the comma-separated values (CSV) format to assemble their data. For some reports, such as the CoC APR and the ESG CAPER, the HMIS software translates the CSV dataset into a text file for the user to view as a table. But increasingly, grant funders are requiring their data to be delivered through the direct export of the dataset in a CSV format. This session will focus on identifying and analyzing the data contained in CSV spreadsheets by detailed examination of SSVF and RHYMIS export files.
A Discussion on the Future of Data Strategy
Wednesday, July 28th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Gerry Leslie
This session is an interactive discussion between attendees on the future of homeless services data and how it can be effectively used to transform the service delivery system. Attendees will be given the opportunity to share how they see data shaping the future of their work and what tools and resources would help them achieve their goals.
Advocacy 101: Making Change Happen
Wednesday, July 28th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Eric Hufnagel
Advocating for smart policy solutions to address our state’s housing and homelessness needs is more important now than ever! Elected officials come into office with varied perspectives and knowledge of housing and homelessness, as do the staff who work in state and local government, shaping and carrying out policy. It’s up to us as advocates to educate and engage them. Learn about the basics of advocacy and ways to go about communicating the need for greater resources and tools, and strategic, coordinated public policies to address our long-standing housing crisis.
This is a Michigan-specific session.
HMIS Data Warehouse Part 1: A Reporting Tool Made for You!
Thursday, July 29th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Kaity Hemgesberg and Gerry Leslie
In June, MCAH launched the Michigan HMIS Data Warehouse, and exciting new reporting tool which gives communities a powerful way to interact with and evaluate their data. In this session, MCAH will discuss what the data warehouse is, how we got here, the currently available reports, and what the foreseeable future might hold. This session will also show the potential for what a data warehouse can look like in the future for North Carolina.
Data Entry Tips and Tricks
Thursday, July 29th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Angela Gougherty
Data entry in the HMIS is not always as easy as it seems! There are several features and processes in Community Services that impact how information is entered, shared, and reported out. During this session, MCAH will highlight important considerations for completing accurate and reliable data entry into the HMIS.
HMIS Data Warehouse Part 2: Using the Data Warehouse to its Fullest Potential
Thursday, July 29th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Kaity Hemgesberg and Gerry Leslie
As a follow-up to Part 1, Part 2 of our data warehouse journey focuses on the more advanced aspects. This includes features such as report filtering (and how it can inform your community), HUD reports, and more! Again, this session will also show the potential for what a data warehouse can look like in the future for North Carolina.
Frontline Technical Support for Your HMIS Users
Thursday, July 29th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Angela Gougherty
This session is for Agency Administrators and Local System Administrators. During this session, MCAH will provide helpful resources and strategies for addressing technical questions that come from end users in your agency or community.
Help Desk 101
Thursday, July 29th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Jesse Sanderson and Thurston Alexander-Smith
The MCAH help desk is the primary line of between Local System Administrators and MCAH when it comes to technical support. Whether the request is simple or complex, are you following all of the required steps to make sure that it can be fulfilled and that it adheres to privacy standards and protocols? During this session, we will discuss the most common types of requests and walk through the steps you should take before submitting them to the help desk.
CARES Funding: Detroit CoC’s COVID Homeless Response
Thursday, July 29th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Kiana Harrison, Lauren Bianchi, Kaitie Giza, and Lauren Licata
The Detroit CoC has worked through this last year of crisis and utilized our resources to develop best practices in our community. This presentation will also highlight how we were able to use the HMIS to support the homelessness and COVID-19 responses by providing data integrations and customizations that assisted the CoC providers, our community health department, and funders with pertinent information for tracking persons during the pandemic. Through close partnerships we were able to develop a situational report to provide community partners with information and updates on Detroit’s system-level response to COVID-19. The report contains data and resources, provides a summary of actions taken, as well as highlights important system changes. While highlighting specifications that supported quarantining, testing, and vaccinations, we hope to share and learn with other communities how to stay the course and best address our local needs that are steadily evolving.
This session will focus on Michigan-specific data but may be useful to all users.
HMIS Roundtable
Thursday, July 29th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Jill Shoemaker
The HMIS Roundtable is an opportunity for attendees to engage in conversation with the MCAH team, to outline their needs and successes using the system, and to give input on the future of what the HMIS will look like.