San Luis Obispo CoC HMIS Newsletter

Assessment Due Notifications

HMIS users can configure their user profile in Clarity to receive status due notifications for their clients enrolled in programs with required assessments. Follow the steps to update your user profile with this Knowledge Base Article.

9AM Mon., May 19: HSOC Data & Performance Subcommittee

1:30PM Tues., May 27: CES Announcements and Information

11AM Wed., May 28: HSOC Coordinated Entry Subcommittee

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

1:30PM Tuesday, June 10: CES Case Conferencing

Updated HMIS Policies and Procedures

The 2025 Policies and Procedures have been updated and are now posted on the HMIS website. All updated documents were approved by the Data and Performance Subcommittee of the Homeless Services Oversight Council. Documents include Consent for Release of Information and Privacy Notice, both available in English and Spanish. Agency Administrators can expect additional communication from HMIS Support outlining impacts and providing any points of clarity.

*NEW* Privacy and Training Required for Users

Effective Friday, May 16, 2025, all HMIS users will be assigned a brand new course in TalentLMS for Privacy and Training Compliance. Previously, this information was embedded in the New User Orientation, however this will now be a standalone course to be completed annually, a best practice recommended by HUD. Users will have the standard 21 days to complete this course and it will appear automatically in their assigned courses.

Street Outreach Data Collection Training on May 22 at 11AM

You're invited! Join the HMIS Support Team for a live virtual training on data collection practices for Street Outreach projects on Thursday, May 22. Topics include defining the "Date of Engagement", collecting client ROIs, and other best practices. This training is for HMIS users only.

Responding to Law Enforcement Requests for Information

HMIS Policies and Procedures outline for all participating agencies the process for appropriately responding to federal or state law enforcement requests for any information contained in HMIS. The HMIS Team has created a suggested user script to support frontline HMIS users to uphold policies with confidence and consistency. Check out the Suggested User Script and best practices guide in this Knowledge Base Article.

HMIS Drop-in Office Hours: Wednesday, June 4

Thank you to all who attended May Office Hours! The attendees were invited to "test pilot" the Privacy and Security Training and we're so grateful for their input. Attending Office Hours builds community among users and offers extended learning opportunities. We hope to see you there!

Click here to join the June Office Hours and Ask HMIS!

Question: I have been contacted by a funder for a data request. Who can I contact for help?

Answer: The HMIS Team is glad to be available for reporting needs for agencies and users - especially if it means more funding! Many reports are readily available through the Clarity Report Library, but for the more complicated asks - reach out to HMIS Support! Let us know what you need and we will either build you a custom report or get the data for you!

Question: What is AB 977 and why am I being contacted about compliance?

Answer: AB 977 is a CA state Assembly Bill requiring specific funding sources to be entered into the local HMIS. Compliance with AB 977 is within the purview of the recipient of the funds in partnership with the HMIS Lead, which is the HMIS Support Team! Any questions about AB 977 compliance can be directed to the team at: ss_HMISsupport@o.slo.ca.us.

Transforming lives impacted by crime through healing services and relationships"

Restorative Partners provides services and programs for those in-custody and for those released from the San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Hall, jail, honor farm, and state prisons. Their restorative justice approach focuses on mind, body and spiritual transformation, incorporates trauma-informed care, addresses responsibility and accountability, and provides recovery homes for men and for women. The goal in all of their transformative work is to reduce violence and lower recidivism by providing a continuum of care from incarceration through reincorporation to our community.

Restorative Partners' housing program has demonstrated significant success in supporting individuals impacted by crime as they transition back into the community. These homes, including five recovery homes, offer more than shelter - residents receive mentorship, life skills training, outpatient treatment and support in securing employment or permanent housing, all of which are crucial for fostering long-term stability and self-sufficiency. There are also wrap-around services that include counseling, group therapy, assistance with basic needs, and job readiness workshops.

The remarkable success can be attributed to the organization's restorative approach emphasizing healing, accountability, and community integration over punishment.

Learn more about Restorative Partners and their incredible role in the community breaking cycles of incarceration and homelessness, on their website: https://restorativepartners.org/

Housing Updates

The Calle Joaquin Housing project has a rental amount of $365 for studio units, which require a minimum income of $730. If the client has a rental subsidy, like a Section 8 voucher, the minimum income requirement would not apply.

The 5/19 start date for referrals to the remaining 40 units at Calle Joaquin is being postponed. People's Self Help Housing has applied for additional tax-credit funding to support the renovation of Motel 6. The Coordinated Entry (CE) Team will wait to send referrals for the remaining units until the result of the application is known. The CE Team will send updates to service providers as we receive them.

General Updates

40Prado is moving its referral process for the Housing Focused Shelter Program, where clients are assigned a Housing Navigator and shelter bed for at least 90 days, to Coordinated Entry starting on June 1. The referral process will remain identical to the current workflow for referrals to the Permanent Housing Queue. There is no change in referrals to the night-by-night shelter beds at 40Prado.

Clients who have not had an assessment entered in 90 days will be auto-exited from Coordinated Entry. If your client is auto-exited, the "Assigned Staff" on the client profile will receive a notification. To learn how to return a client to the Community Queue after they have been auto-exited, review this Knowledge Base Article.

Hayley Spyksma, the CES Specialist, has been meeting individually with case managers to answer any Coordinated Entry questions and troubleshoot issues. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with her, please reach out via email at hspyksma@capslo.org.

Questions regarding best practices and CES user support

can be directed to the CES Management Entity

HIC/PIT Deadline is June 13, 2025

HUD has announced the deadline for the 2025 Housing Inventory Count (HIC) and Sheltered Point in Time (PIT) Count. Agencies can expect to hear from the HMIS Support Team to prepare for federal submission.

HMIS Website

Instagram

Facebook