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Dear Balance of State CoC Partners,
We are excited to officially say hello and introduce ourselves as your new HMIS Lead! This important role is being carried out by VIA LINK, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization proudly serving Louisiana.
About VIA LINK
Our Mission: VIA LINK provides crisis support, connects people to resources and services, and provides vital data and trend information to ensure policies and programs meet community needs.
For decades, VIA LINK has supported Louisiana residents through a wide range of services, including crisis counseling, suicide intervention, opioid counseling, and resource connection. Our services are available 24/7, 365 days a year through phone, text, and online chat.
Our Role as HMIS Lead
Your new HMIS Lead responsibilities will extend to VIA LINK’s Human Services Analytics & Technology Department, a team that has worked with HMIS for over 25 years.
Department Mission: To empower human service organizations through data-driven decision making and innovative technology solutions.
This department is dedicated to transforming human services through:
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Tech-Powered Solutions – Custom technology programs built specifically for human services.
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Data-Driven Impact – Real-time data analysis and reporting to measure outcomes.
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Empowering Your Team – Ongoing training and support to maximize efficiency and service delivery.
In addition to the Balance of State CoC, VIA LINK is also the HMIS Lead for UNITY CoC and LA-503, giving us extensive experience in managing HMIS across multiple communities. We currently have offices in Jefferson Parish (Metairie, LA) and St. Tammany Parish (Covington, LA), with a new office opening soon in East Baton Rouge Parish (Baton Rouge, LA).
What You Can Expect From Us
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Monthly Refresher Trainings & Q&A Sessions – Stay up to date with system updates, best practices, and quick problem-solving opportunities.
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Monthly Newsletter & User Outreach – Receive important announcements, helpful tips, and resources directly to your inbox.
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Monthly Data Quality Reports – Gain insights into data completeness and accuracy to ensure compliance and support strong performance outcomes.
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Annual Recertification for All End Users – Every user will be recertified each year to ensure consistency, data security, and quality.
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Yearly Technical Site Visits – Our team will visit providers to offer hands-on assistance, review workflows, and address unique challenges.
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Data Literacy Trainings through the Louisiana Data Collaborative – We believe data should be approachable and empowering. Through our Louisiana Data Collaborative, we offer workshops and training series designed to:
- Build staff confidence in reading, interpreting, and applying data
- Provide practical skills in data visualization and reporting
- Teach strategies for using data in funding applications, program evaluation, and community storytelling
- Help agencies foster a culture of data-driven decision-making
These trainings go beyond just compliance; they’re about giving your team the knowledge and tools to use HMIS data meaningfully to improve services and demonstrate impact.
Agreements & Next Steps
As part of this transition, every end user (individuals using HMIS Community Services) will complete new End User Agreements, and every agency will complete new Agency Agreements. These agreements will be distributed soon.
To help us be proactive, we ask that each agency reach out to us with a current list of individuals who should have HMIS access for your organization. This will ensure we move forward with accuracy, efficiency, and full compliance.
Our Commitment to You
We believe in clear, transparent communication and building strong relationships with every end user. You can expect us to provide resources in different learning environments—whether you learn best through live training, written guides, or interactive tools—so that everyone has what they need to succeed. Transparency is central to our work, ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to HMIS and data.
Helpful Links & Contacts
Meet Your HMIS Leadership Team
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LaVondra Dobbs – CEO
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Shercole King – Vice President of Administration & Operations (HMIS Implementation)
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Clifton Harris – Vice President of Human Services & Technology
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Helen Meridy – Human Services Data Lead
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Garrick Rattler - LEAD HMIS Administrator
Our department includes a dedicated HMIS staff team of 7 employees, 1 consultant, and 2 more staff members joining soon.
We are thrilled to partner with you and look forward to supporting your work through HMIS. Please keep an eye out for upcoming resources, updates, and opportunities to connect.
Together, we can ensure that data and technology strengthen services and make a lasting impact in our communities.
Warmly,
The VIA LINK HMIS Team
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