Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) HMIS and the Impact of Outcomes in Prevention Services Sponsored by: National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

SSVF and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) During this session we will: During this session we will: –Provide a brief history of HMIS –Discuss the role of HMIS in improving Prevention programs –Review revised HMIS Data Standards –Discuss changes to the HMIS Data Standards for SSVF 2

Homeless Management Information Systems What is HMIS? –a locally administered, electronic data collection system that stores person-level information about clients who access the homeless service system. 3

2001 Congressional Directive In 2001 Congress directed HUD on the need for data and analysis on the extent of homelessness and the effectiveness of the McKinney-Vento Act Programs including: –Developing unduplicated counts of clients served at the local level –Analyzing patterns of use of people entering and exiting the homeless assistance system –Evaluating the effectiveness of these systems 4

Why is HMIS Important? Each Continuum of Care (CoC) must implement an HMIS; HUD assesses and scores progress in CoC application Local HMIS data is critical for the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) Implementation of HMIS at the local level can support coordinated service planning and case management 5

Why is HMIS Important? (cont’d) HMIS enables: –Collecting common set of data elements –Identifying who is literally homeless or at risk of homelessness –Tracking SSVF assistance provided –Reporting client progress and program performance –Monitoring on-going data quality 6

Why is HMIS Important for SSVF? SSVF Legislation requires use of HMIS for data collection SSVF Legislation requires use of HMIS for data collection Grantees providing SSVF assistance/services must report client-level data into CoC’s HMIS Grantees providing SSVF assistance/services must report client-level data into CoC’s HMIS Reports to VA of SSVF activity and outcomes must be generated from HMIS Reports to VA of SSVF activity and outcomes must be generated from HMIS 7

Role of HMIS in Program Operations HMIS can help you determine: What are the risk factors for Veteran homelessness; What are the needs of homeless Veterans; What works in ending homelessness and promoting housing stability. 8

What are the risk factors for homelessness? HMIS program data can help you develop targeting approaches and profile techniques. Who is currently served in emergency shelter What are the characteristics of homeless Veterans? Where are homeless Veterans coming from (geography, living situation, etc.)? What housing situations are most likely to contribute to homelessness? 9

What are the needs of homeless Veterans? Use HMIS to document and analyze service use patterns and Veterans’ needs. What levels of service intensity and duration are required to resolve a Veteran’s housing crisis? What combination of SSVF services and VA and mainstream benefits can help resolve Veteran homelessness? How can HMIS data be used to document and understand needs of different subpopulations? 10

What works in ending Veteran homelessness? HMIS can help you document the most effective strategies: When should Prevention resources be used? What is the best package of services given different Veteran characteristics and various housing barriers? How can HMIS data be used to improve program operations and outcomes? 11

What are the HMIS Data and Technical Standards? Federal Register Notice that defines baseline requirements for: –Data collection (data elements and response categories) Universal data elements (required for all programs) Program-specific data elements (required for programs required to generate annual reports ) –Privacy –Security Under Revision to include SSVF data elements 12

Components of the HMIS Data Standards Three components: –Program Descriptor Data Elements Describes your program –Universal Data Elements Describes clients and services –Program-Specific Data Elements Documents client outcomes (changes) 13

Data Standards and SSVF Housing Category –Residing in permanent housing –Homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing –Exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days and seeking other housing that is responsive to their needs –Other Percent of AMI –Less than 30% –30% to 50% –Greater than 50% Formerly Chronically Homeless –No –Yes –Client doesn’t know –Client refused 14

Data Reporting  VA is expecting that client-level data for SSVF programs will be exported from HMIS and uploaded to a VA server.  Exports may be either XML 3.0 or CSV  Exports will occur quarterly for the 1 st quarter; then starting in 2012 they will occur monthly.  All VA-required reporting and data analysis for the SSVF program will be done by VA based on the data from the HMIS systems. 15

Summary of HMIS Standards VA expects every SSVF grantee to meet the baseline requirements as defined in the HMIS Data and Technical Standards. For more information or to request HMIS technical assistance visit: 16