San Luis Obispo CoC HMIS Newsletter

HMIS ROI and Privacy Settings

SLO County CoC HMIS is an "open system" that defaults to sharing client records across all agencies. Though some programs and notes can be marked private. We build trust with clients by ensuring consent to share information and adequately documenting the ROI in HMIS. Review this Knowledge Base Article for systemwide consistency for client privacy.

11AM Wednesday, Feb 25: HSOC Coordinated Entry Committee

1PM Wednesday, March 4: Veterans BNL Meeting

3PM Wednesday, March 4: HMIS "Drop-in" Office Hours

1:30PM Tuesday, March 10: Monthly CES Case Conferencing

9AM Monday, March 16: HSOC Data and Performance

Active Client Overlaps

For Data Analysis Users, check out this Data Quality Report for Active Clients with overlapping enrollments. This report can be used to identify clients with multiple, overlapping enrollments at the same agency and with Coordinated Entry. Learn more about this newly updated Report with this Knowledge Base article.

Thank you and Acknowledgements for 2026 PIT/HIC

Thank you to all the providers and partners for your hard work and collaboration for a successful Point in Time (PIT) and Housing Inventory Count (HIC). More than 15 agencies and 200+ volunteers countywide worked together to meet this critical funding requirement. The team is continuing to review and analyze data - stay tuned for updates! Following the required aggregation, extrapolation and formatting of the summary data for HUD, the data is prepared for additional analysis and community publication. Thank you again to the HMIS service providers, warming shelters, PIT Count Committee members, HSOC members, and all volunteers for your dedication to the effort!

We also acknowledge and thank the people experiencing homelessness who entrusted us with their story. We honor their trust in our commitment use data to drive meaningful change in our community.

You're invited to join the Reporting Shindig (aka Report Support)

Users with Data Analysis (DA) access in Clarity HMIS are invited to join the HMIS Reporting Team for the biweekly "Reporting Shindig" (Report Support) to ask questions directly of the team's Reports Specialist, Derek. The shindig offers users and administrators the chance to learn how to grow reporting capacity in HMIS. You must have DA access to participate.

Join the Shindig on Thursday, March 5 at 10:30am on TEAMS.

Homelessness Data Dashboard Get a New Look

While the information shared remains the same, the team is thrilled to announce an updated look for the Homelessness Database Dashboard. We understanding that navigating homelessness data can feel complex - or at least, more complex than it needs to be! Be sure to review the Dashboard Guide that provides definitions and context for the data collection process and presented terminology.

Check out the newly updated Homelessness Data Dashboard here!

A Guest Speaker at March HMIS Drop-in Office Hours

Drop-in to the March HMIS Office Hours to learn directly from Homeless Services Division's Grants team member: Sophie, who will be sharing about Neighborly, a grants management software used by the County and its funding recipients. See you there!

Click here to join HMIS Office Hours on Wednesday, March 4 at 3PM.

Question: I work in development for my agency and I need data beyond what I can see in HMIS to better advocate for funding. How can I request additional systemwide data?

Answer: The HMIS Team is happy to provide any systemwide analysis or additional outcome data necessary to securing funding for your organization! Requests for data that are tied to funding opportunities are prioritized from the HMIS Team - as we understand the importance of securing funding. Reach out to the HMIS Support Team anytime you need additional data. We ask for at least four weeks' notice for systemwide requests and will do our best for quick turnarounds for funders! Reach the team directly at ss_HMISsupport@co.slo.ca.us.

Question: I have ideas for how Clarity HMIS could be improved in little ways like configuration requests or pop-up notifications. Who do I contact with ideas?

Answer: We love ideas for improvement! The HMIS Team is the Database System Administrator and we have recurring meetings with Bitfocus to discuss challenges and improvements. We also have access to community ticket requests and can submit ideas! We want HMIS to be a tool that works for YOU, so if you have any ideas for improving the database, reach out to us directly - we want to hear from you!

Supporting Veterans and their Families in San Luis Obispo County

The VA Greater LA Healthcare System facilitates SLO County's Veteran ByName List (BNL) through the Coordinated Entry System in Clarity HMIS. By embedding referrals and matching into HMIS, our community expands access to housing opportunities and services for veterans and their families.

Good News:

In partnership with the Department of Veteran Affairs, the local Elks Lodge(s) in San Luis Obispo County are offering "Welcome Home Kits" for Veterans who moving from the street or a shelter to their new homes. The Welcome Home Kits are an array of home supplies, locally crafted, typically including kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and cleaning supplies, laundry baskets and detergents, pots, pans, and some kits even have the opportunity to contain a coffee maker or crockpot! Reach out to the local SSVF providers or your local Elks Lodge to learn more - then connect your Veteran to the housing support supplies they need, and deserve!

Stay Connected:

Ila Thatcher-Geis

Homeless Outreach, SSVF and Transitional Housing Services

Good Samaritan Shelter

Chris Stanley

Homeless Outreach and SSVF Services

CAPSLO

Thank you for helping us serve those who served.

Housing Updates and Matching Guidance

Maxine Lewis Grove is fully leased! Future referrals will follow the established property matching guidance. Welcome Home Village (WHV) is scheduled to have occupancy in May of this year. The CES Team will continue to share information relevant to new and current housing opportunities at the monthly Announcements Meeting, held on the last Tuesday of the month at 1:30PM.

Grow your Confidence in Coordinated Entry

The CES Team is focused on creating additional training content in the HMIS Knowledge Base.

Here are a few articles that have been updated in the new year:

Next to Be Referred: Email communication explained
Document Readiness: Defining readiness for successful referrals
Appeals Process: Learn the process for appealing a referral denial
Adding Personal Identification Files: Requirements to be housing ready

Join the CES Team for CES drop-in Office Hours for 2026!

CES Office Hours take place every other Friday at 10AM. Stop by to ask questions or share ideas for system improvement!

The CES Team, in partnership with the HMIS Support Team, is using a shared helpdesk email address to field technical questions.

Reach us at: hsd_CESsupport@co.slo.ca.us.

Thank you from the CES Team

Nathan, Hayley, and Nathaniel

NAEH Leadership Summit

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is hosting their annual Leadership Summit on March 2 through March 4. Continuum of Care Program Manager Erica Jaramillo is a featured speaker for inclusive policymaking! Learn more about this critical network of support on the NAEH website here.

HMIS Website

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