Case Conferencing – Built for ZeroThe work you do as a case worker or shelter staff is captured in the HMIS system. Our HMIS, or Homeless Management Information System, is a multi- CoC HMIS implementation that shares data between Western Continuum of Care (that’s us) and Richmond, Fredericksburg and the Balance of State’s 12 planning groups. Complete, timely and accurate data collection allows us to help identify guests at your program that are chronically homeless or veteran and make sure we’re working to find them services and housing options together as a community. See more at our Built for Zero page!
Link to Database:
https://sp5.servicept.com/homeward/com.bowmansystems.sp5.core.ServicePoint/index.html
We now have training available online for basic HMIS entry and exit:
HMIS Training part 1 of 2
HMIS Training 2 of 2
A HMIS user will need to agree to the HMIS confidentiality policies
found on page 11-12 of the Homeward HMIS HCIS Policy and Procedures Manual.
The same manual also outlines our data quality guidelines on timeliness and allowable missing data. See pages 26-29
| Program type | % allowable missing | % allowable don’t know/refused |
| Coordinated assessment | 2% | 3% |
| Day shelter | 2% | 3% |
| Emergency shelter/Transitional housing | 2% | 3% |
| Street outreach | 10% | 10% |
| Permanent housing (housing only, housing with services, and permanent supportive housing) | 2% | 3% |
| Homelessness prevention | 2% | 3% |
| Permanent housing – rapid rehousing | 2% | 3% |
| Safe Haven | 2% | 3% |
| Services only | 2% | 3% |
| Other | 2% | 3% |
Data Completeness Standards, Policy and Procedure Manual, page 27
Each new user will need to sign a code of ethics agreement and return it to the HMIS Administrator.
HUD Data Standards:
HUD publishes information for communities about data we need to capture from clients. This changes depending on program type or funding stream. Below are Word documents directly from the HUD Data Standards website. For most users, this is an excellent, easy to use tool.
HMIS Data Entry 2020 Data Standards