2024 Data Summit
July 23rd to 25th, 2024
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Data Summit, hosted by the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. The theme of this year’s summit was Beyond Numbers, Reflecting Humanity in Homeless Data.
The summit is now complete, and recordings of all sessions are now available on this page.
List of Sessions
Democratization of Data
Tuesday, July 23rd | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Gerry Leslie
Data is a powerful tool that can help you communicate the story of your work to prevent and end homelessness. In the Democratizing of Data session, we will explore how communities, agencies, and stakeholders can unlock the potential of data as a resource in preventing and ending homelessness. We will discuss strategies for making data widely accessible for analysis and utilization, as well as essential practices to prepare community members for leveraging the data. Whether you are a data expert or someone with limited data experience who wants to use data more effectively, this session is for you.
HUD Data Standard Changes and the Impact on Race and Ethnicity Reporting
Tuesday, July 23rd | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Kaity Hemgesberg
Last October 1st, HUD implemented significant updates to its data standards concerning race and ethnicity data elements. These changes have been pivotal in enhancing the accuracy and inclusivity of demographic data across housing and community development sectors. However, with these updates comes a pressing need for organizations and agencies to adapt their reporting frameworks and practices.
This session delves into the nuances of HUD’s updated data standards, focusing particularly on the revised classifications and methodologies for reporting race and ethnicity. Attendees will gain insights into the rationale behind these changes and their implications for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Furthermore, the session will address the challenges faced by stakeholders in updating their reporting protocols to align with the new standards.
Income in HMIS: Data Entry, Correcting Errors, Improving Outcomes
Tuesday, July 23rd | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Jayce Ashwill, Michigan Balance of State CoC HMIS System Administrator
In this session, we will review how to collect and enter data on client Income at Entry, Interim Review/Updates, and Exit. We will also review in-depth how to identify and correct Income Related Data Errors/Flags, and how to understand CAPER/APR Box 19a1 and 19a2 to improve Program and System Performance related to Income Growth.
What’s New in the HMIS?
Tuesday, July 23rd | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Gerry Leslie
The tools in the HMIS are constantly evolving to help provide a new and ever-widening array of resources for local community partners. This session will look at what new resources are available in the HMIS and how you can use them to improve your work. We will look at new learning resources, reports, key system changes that are new and coming up so you can be on top of what’s happening in the world of the HMIS.
Due to a technical issue, only the final 15 minutes of this session were recorded. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions about what was covered in this session, please contact the MCAH help desk.
Data Through the Eyes of People with Lived Experience
Tuesday, July 23rd | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Ashia Wilson and Gerry Leslie
When looking at how to best use data to further our work, it is critically important to include the voices of those with lived experience who can shape our efforts while protecting those experiencing homelessness. This session will look at data from the perspective of those who are receiving services and their thoughts on how to best respect where they are while making them partners in our work with data.
Democratization Next Steps
Wednesday, July 24th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Gerry Leslie
So you have learned about the concept of Democratization of Data and you are excited to know what’s next. This session will cover steps for how you can begin to implement data democratization principles in your agency, local planning body, community or CoC. We will look at critical tools to help you better understand your performance and introduce the concept of a learning collaborative, which is a peer-to-peer working group designed to help you take your use of data to the next level.
Leveraging the HMIS Data Warehouse for Effective CoC Performance Monitoring
Wednesday, July 24th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Kaity Hemgesberg
In this session, participants will gain insights and best practices for harnessing the full potential of the HMIS Data Warehouse to drive continuous quality improvement in homeless service delivery and outcomes monitoring. Whether you are a CoC administrator, data analyst, policymaker, or service provider, this session offers valuable knowledge and tools to enhance your approach to performance monitoring using HMIS Data Warehouses effectively.
Community Services Mobile Updates
Wednesday, July 24th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by David Tweedie, WellSky Community Services Solutions Management Team, and Sara Platek
Learn how the new version of the WellSky Community Services mobile application can help people get back on their feet. This new version incorporates much of the feedback WellSky has received from clients at recent conferences, focus groups, webinars and one-on-one sessions. See how new functionality can assist with ending homelessness by allowing people receiving services to potentially input their own personal data, simplifying access to community resources, viewing real-time shelter bed availability, and incorporating goals and action steps from the case plan.
Coordinated Entry & the By-Name List in BOS Communities
Wednesday, July 24th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Jayce Ashwill, Michigan Balance of State CoC HMIS System Administrator, and Tina Allen, Michigan Balance of State CoC Past Chair
This is a Michigan-specific session.
An overview of the importance of a standardized Coordinated Entry implementation within your Local Planning Body and how it supports a quality By-Name List and referrals to Housing Program Openings within your community. We will review the programmatic features of Coordinated Entry, the Data Entry Elements, and Data Quality Oversight, and talk about when to complete entries/exits from your CE HMIS Page.
Mapping Your Path to Grants: The Data-Driven Approach
Wednesday, July 24th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Bob O’Hara
This presentation emphasizes the importance of using quantitative and qualitative data in grant proposals, to enhance the chance for funding and building a successful track record of performance. Touching on both foundation and government sources, we stress the need for continuous improvement and strategic decision-making in grant-funded programs.
Data Roundtable for CoCs
Wednesday, July 24th | 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Presented by Thurston Alexander-Smith, Tawana Dawkins, Cumberland County Community Development Data Evaluation Analyst and HMIS System Administrator, Kiana Harrison, Homeless Action Network of Detroit HMIS Manager, Evan Hile, Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness Data and Analytics Manager, Nona Ingram, Homeless Action Network of Detroit HMIS System Administrator, and Jared Leys, Homeless Action Network of Detroit HMIS Data Analyst
This open discussion will be a place where our partners can talk about their public use of data, show and tell local innovations or practices, and generally chat about anything related to homelessness data.
The session will be participant-driven to allow for questions, and showcase “wins” in our CoCs.
Data for the NOFO
Thursday, July 25th | 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Presented by Gerry Leslie and Beth Hurkman
In this session, we will cover the metrics and outcomes that HUD looks at in the NOFO and what communities need to be prepared for when it comes to scoring on those metrics.
Implementing Mapping in Homeless Services
Thursday, July 25th | 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Presented by Matt Tommelein, Community & Home Supports, Inc. (CHS) Coordinated Entry Programs Manager, and Brandon Owens, Community & Home Supports, Inc. (CHS) Data Analyst Intern
This presentation aims to explore innovative ways to address homelessness through mapping technology and data analytics. Key points include:
- Mapping Community Requests
- Aggregating Data for PIT Counts
- Identifying Underserved Areas
- Fair Market Rent (FMR) Mapping
- Parcel Data Integration
Data for the NOFO: Q&A Session
Thursday, July 25th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Gerry Leslie and Beth Hurkman
This will be an open Q&A session following the Data for the NOFO session earlier in the morning. It will be a place where people or communities can come to ask questions about the content covered in the earlier session or about the NOFO in general.
The Emergency Shelter Program: What Does the Data Tell Us So Far in FY24?
Thursday, July 25th | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Presented by Emily O’Brien, The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter Program Data Analyst
This is a Michigan-specific session.
This session will be outlining ESP outcomes and overall information for both ESP Motel and Shelter programs.
Returning the Humanity to Homeless Services
Thursday, July 25th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Shanna Cherubini, MTAN Solutions, LLC Founder and Lead HMIS Data Strategist
In this impactful session, Shanna Cherubini draws from her extensive experience in homeless services to advocate for a more human-centered approach. By sharing her personal journey, Shanna underscores the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and systemic accountability in effectively addressing homelessness. The session will explore the challenges faced at various levels of service provision, from national and state agencies to local organizations and frontline staff. Participants will gain insights into how personal and professional growth, trauma-informed practices, and genuine human connections can drive meaningful change.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of integrating humanity and empathy into homeless services.
- Strategies for addressing systemic issues and preventing harm.
- Personal and professional growth techniques for service providers.
- The critical role of self-awareness and accountability in effective service delivery.
How Homeless Data Influences Elected Officials
Thursday, July 25th | 1:00 to 2:00 PM
Presented by Lyn Raymond, Lisa Chapman, Eric Hufnagel, and Charlie Cavell, Oakland County Commissioner for District 19
Elected officials from around the state of Michigan will share how data affects the decision-making around homeless services and resources. Hear how non-profits can effectively present data to encourage private-public partnerships.
Advanced Privacy Training / System Administrator I Orientation
Thursday, July 25th | 2:30 to 5:00 PM
Presented by Gerry Leslie, Thurston Alexander-Smith, Jesse Sanderson, and Lyn Raymond
This 2.5 hour session will provide a combination of two different trainings. The first training will focus on advanced privacy. It will allow Local System Admins, Agency Admins, and others to learn more about advanced privacy topics and procedures in the HMIS.
The second training will be a standard orientation for System Administrators I or Local System Administrators in their local community. It will review standard System Admin responsibilities and practices, look at the HMIS Operating Policies and Procedures, and generally help HMIS System Administrators better understand the jobs they do and the responsibilities they have. This training is targeted at both new and experienced HMIS System Administrators looking to better understand what it is that they do.