HMIS 301: Advanced HMIS

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HMIS 301 Advanced HMIS

• Improvement through Innovation

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Agenda

• Program Evaluation
• Client Level Database
• Self Sufficiency Matrix
• Innovative ways to collect data
• AIRS Taxonomy/data mapping
• Other questions?

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Innovation in Program Evaluation

• Show what works to improve PATH participant
  outcomes
• Showcase effectiveness of program to community
  and funders
• Improve staff to client interaction
• Help plan for the future
• Build knowledge of program, outcomes and
  processes
• Identify unmet needs and gaps in service delivery
• Inadequate funding for services, lack of service
  coverage in rural areas

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HMIS Client Database

• Detailed, client level data about everyone served
• Track program entries/exits and
  PATH project interventions
• Ability to look at client data individually,
  in aggregate and longitudinally
• Current status and trends
• Develop detailed and customized reports, charts
• Develop report libraries for reuse
• Produce PATH Annual Report

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Innovation in Data Quality

• Computers will unquestionably process the
  nonsensical data (garbage in) and produce
  nonsensical output (garbage out)
• Data Good Bad Data Bad its all about data
  quality
• Produce an accurate story of annual PATH program
  activity
• Example Strategies
• Provider data quality report card, published so
  all providers can see who is most successful
• Link payment to HMIS data
• Reporting Tools  Missing data reports (name,
  demographics, services provided)
• Develop required fields that must be completed
• On-going training and technical assistance 30
  staff turnover in PATH reporting staff from 2008
  to 2009

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Evaluation measures

• Length of Stay (LOS)
• Exit destination - positive destination
• Demographic (age, race, gender) analysis
• Income and employment
• Funding and availability of services and supports
• Service bundles provided leading to positive
  outcomes 
• Enhanced case management and follow up
• Recidivism rates for people returning back to
  homelessness

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Advanced features of HMIS for Monitoring Programs

• Detailed client based information on everyone
  served by PATH
• Real-time access to data for reporting and
  analysis
• Record detailed client profiles, assessments,
  referral, historical information, and outcome
  measurements
• Generate reports for internal use, reporting to
  funders and community organizations
• . 

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Self Sufficiency Matrix

• Two key features
• 18 domains in the Matrix
• Client's status on each domain is measured on a 5
  point scale
• Provides standardized outcomes measurement
• Measurement taken at program entry and
  periodically to measure progress

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Self Sufficiency Matrix History

• Developed by the Arizona Homeless Evaluation
  project, the Self Sufficiency Matrix has been
  tested for validity and reliability
• A matrix is completed for each adult in the
  household who is age 18 or older
• Data is analyzed to measure participants progress
• In use for more than six years

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Domain
Scale
1. Income
1 In Crisis 2 Vulnerable 3 Safe 4
Building Capacity 5 Empowered
2. Employment
3. Housing
4. Food
5. Childcare
6. Childrens Education
7. Adult Education
8. Legal
9. Health Care
10. Life Skills
11. Mental Health
12. Substance Abuse
13. Family Relations
14. Mobility
15. Community Involvement
16. Safety
17. Parenting Skills
18. Credit (Optional)
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Example Using the Matrix

• 17 Domains of Participant Self-sufficiency
• When Data Are Collected Upon any program entry
  and at program exit. Transitional housing
  programs must also collect the information every
  3 months after entry. Permanent housing programs
  must collected the data set every 6 months after
  entry.
• Subjects All persons over the age of 16

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Self-Determination and Skills - Income

• Income
• 1. No Income
• 2. Inadequate income and/or spontaneous or
  inappropriate spending.
• 3. Can meet basic needs with subsidy appropriate
  spending. (If the client is receiving income
  supports like SSI, but still lacks enough income
  to meet all basic expenses use a 3 rating)
• 4. Can meet basic needs and manage debt without
  assistance. (If the client is receiving income
  supports like SSI, and is able to balance their
  budget use 4)
• 5. Income is sufficient, well managed has
  discretionary income and is able to save.

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Self-Determination and Skills - Income
Does the client have income?
1
No
Is the income adequate to at least meet basic
needs?
2
No
Can client meet basic needs without assistance?
3
No
Does client have discretionary income and can
save?
4
No
5
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Innovative ways to collect data

• How to collect data out of doors, under bridges,
  and other places not computer friendly
• Scannable forms processing  design scannable
  paper form that can be faxed and converted to
  electronic format.
• Portable computers (laptops, netbooks,
  smartphones) to collect data and transmit to
  central database
• Wireless connection to database for real-time
  collection using portable computers
• Digital imaging
• Client Id cards for clients

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AIRS Taxonomy - What is it?

• AIRS Alliance for Information and Referral
  Systems, a national association, develops
  standards and definitions for information and
  referral agencies.
• Taxonomy is a standard used by agencies to
  communicate human services in a standard language
  across program areas.
• Each service has a term, code and description
• Term  rent payment assistance
• Code  BH-3800.7000 (B Basic Need,
  HHousing/Shelter, 3800Housing Expense
  Assistance)
• Description "Programs that make rental payments
  for people who are at risk of eviction without
  assistance.  Rent payment assistance programs may
  have age, income, disablility, need or other
  eligibility requirements."

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Why use AIRS?

• Required by HMIS implementations
• Standardizes reporting across programs for better
  analysis, accountability and reporting.
• No more apples and oranges
•  Supports accreditation and certification

• Improves program quality through better data and
  reporting
• Allows for measurement of PATH activities within
  programs and across jurisdictions
• Updated and supported on a regular basis

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Michigan's Use of AIRS for PATH

•  

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PATH Report to AIRS Mapping
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Mapping continued
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Questions?

• David Youngs
• dave_at_dynsinc.com
• James McNemar
• jmcnemar_at_center4si.com