How HMIS supports multiple funding sources and reporting with new HEARTH standards 1Company Confidential Homelessness Track

Introductions Rachelle Brown Karen DeBlasio Darin Patterson Company Confidential2

Learning Objectives Participants of this session will: Review and solidify participants’ knowledge of HEARTH and HMIS Gain an understanding of HEARTH implications on HMIS implementations Identify methods that HMIS can be utilized to strengthen support for additional funding sources Company Confidential3

HEARTH Review Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 Amends McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Consolidates HUD’s competitive grant programs (CoC Programs) Transformed Emergency Shelter Grant to Emergency Solutions Grant (with Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing) Codified requirement to participate in HMIS New Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program New Definitions: Homelessness and Chronic Homelessness Increased emphasis on performance Company Confidential4

HEARTH Regulations and Implementation: Current Status Company Confidential5 Proposed Rules RHSP HMIS Requirements Interim Rules ESG Program CoC Program Draft Standards HMIS Data Standards Final Rules …

HMIS Background and Overview Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): Locally administered, electronic data collection system that stores longitudinal person-level information about individuals served by a Continuum of Care Primarily implemented to provide policy makers with the ability to use aggregate data to better inform policy and decision making at federal, state, and local levels Company Confidential6

HMIS Background and Overview Requirements of HMIS: Participation All CoC Program Grantees All ESG Sub-grantees Victim Service Providers (and some Legal Service providers) are exempt Capabilities Unduplicated counts at, at least, the CoC level Collect longitudinal data related to a variety of personal information Meet Data and Technical Standards defined by HUD Meet Data Quality standards Produce aggregate reports Company Confidential7

HMIS Background and Overview Requirements of HMIS: Governance Defined in the proposed HMIS Rule CoC Designates an HMIS Lead Agency HMIS Lead Agency Company Confidential8

HMIS: Federal Partner Participation Department of Veteran Affairs Grant Per Diem (GPD) Providers, HUD VASH, and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) began HMIS participation in 2011 Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Administration for Children and Families’ Family Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Project Company Confidential9

HEARTH Implications on HMIS Expanded Participation (ESG) and New Stakeholders Clarification of Responsibilities Opportunity for Expanded Data Standards Additional Focus on National Performance and Outcome Measurements Company Confidential10

Guidance from HUD: During Transition to Finalized Rules Invest in and use data to drive decision-making on homelessness, both for the overarching plan and for annual allocation decisions. Take responsibility for your data. Assess your data tools, counting methodologies, and HMIS and determine if changes and/or improvements need to be made. Ensure the CoC is actively responsible for the HMIS and reinforcing full participation in HMIS by all local homeless providers. Focus relentlessly on results – and on collecting and using quality data. Better data is essential to doing more of what works and to stop doing what doesn’t. Company Confidential11

Other Related Funding Sources Other HUD Funding Sources HOPWA HOME CDBG HUD VASH Other Federal Funding Sources VA: Grant Per Diem, SSVF, Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration Program CSBG FEMA Ryan White Other State / Local Funding Sources Company Confidential12

Ways to Utilize HMIS to Strengthen Support of Other Funding Sources 1.Engage, encourage, or require providers and sub-grantees of other funding sources to discuss the potential of HMIS 2.Transition from “HMIS” to “CMIS” 3.Evaluate the use of Coordinated Assessment for programs beyond “CoC programs” to leverage resources, coordination, and ease the burden on families in communities 4.Utilize data and reporting standards, where possible i.e. Ryan White Company Confidential13

Ways to Utilize HMIS to Strengthen Support of Other Funding Sources 5.Require reports to come from CMIS Focus on information that evaluates the effectiveness of a program 6.Engage vendors to implement / modify configurations to support additional processes and reporting 7.Identify and address stakeholder pain points Company Confidential14

HMIS Vendor Approach Most HMIS Software vendors operate in a broad context of “health and human service” organizations that extend well beyond HUD and homeless assistance Approach vendors as partners in community engagement and development Tips for HMIS enhancements to support other funding sources Clearly define your objectives and revisit routinely Implement in phases Be prepared to deal with large challenges (community change) and small challenges (data details) Leverage common data constructs and provide stakeholders with self serve tools Company Confidential15

Resources for HEARTH and HMIS HUD’s Resource Exchange National Alliance to End Homelessness National Human Services Data Consortium Company Confidential16