2024 HMIS Data Standards Updates!

Updates to launch Sunday September 30th at 8pm CST

If you haven't already, please sign up for a session!

Live training sessions to learn about this year's updates will be provided September 19th, 20th, and 21st.

If you enter data in HMIS or run HMIS reports, we STRONGLY suggest registering for this training!

Below are the links to sign up for the (4) available training slots. You will only need to attend one of these trainings:

Tuesday, Sep 19, 2023 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Thursday, Sep 21, 2023 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Policy Updates

Changes to Data Quality Procedures

& Quarterly Security Audit

The HMIS Team will be making some changes to both the Data Quality Monitoring procedures and the Quarterly Security Self-Audit to make both processes more efficient for both our team and our agencies.

These changes will reduce the frequency of Data Quality Checks from monthly to quarterly and add various accuracy checks. Along with this change, our Data Quality Analysts will implement a new quarterly Chronic Homeless Data Cleanup process.

Along with this, the Quarterly Self-Audit will no longer include questions regarding Client Data Accuracy, so all agencies will only complete the Agency and Workstation Audit sections.

Changes New User Training Process

New HMIS Users will now gain access to their HMIS accounts before taking the Fundamentals training and quiz to better help them get familiar with the system as training progresses.

We still require users to take Principles of HMIS before completing client assessments.

These policy changes (and more!) will be explained in detail at the Data Standards Update Training. Sign up for the training at the links above.

New Policy for Clients Affiliated with Battered Women's Shelter

Through a review of existing client data, it was discovered that many clients have addresses that tie them to the Battered Women's Shelter, either with exact addresses or the names/initials of the shelter.

After discussing with representatives from the Battered Women's Shelter and Family Violence Prevention Services, the HMIS and SARAH teams have decided that it is in the clients' best interests that they are not tied to the Battered Women's Shelter in HMIS in any discernible way.

To help us protect these clients' privacy, we ask that all users with the ability to add or change data do the following when they encounter a client who indicates they are staying with the Battered Women's Shelter:

• Do not ask for the exact address of the Shelter when entering their address in their demographics. Clients staying at the Shelter will be instructed to provide the PO Box address given to them.

• Do not add the terms "Battered Women's Shelter," "Family Violence Prevention Services," "FVPS," or "BWS" as a part of the address.

• Also make sure to update a client's address each time you complete the Entry Workflow - If a client is being admitted to stay at your location's shelter, their new address should be the address of your shelter! Contact Information should be verified with every intake.

The HMIS and SARAH Teams, our clients, and our community partners appreciate your commitment to the safety and well-being of our clients.

Planned Code Migrations

This month's Code Migrations are currently scheduled for:



Tuesday September 12th - 8pm CST

HMIS Team

VP of Transformational Services | David Huete

HMIS Director | Nina Gall

Business Systems Analyst | Jenni Hernandez

Security & Compliance Specialist | Ashley Boyer

HMIS Training Coordinator | Gloria Collins

Systems Administrator | Spencer Walker

Systems Administrator | Allegra Nichols

Application Support Specialist | James Moses

Senior Data Analyst | Lori Stewart

Data Quality Analyst | Tracie Dixon

Why am I receiving this email?

If you are receiving this email, it is because you either have an active San Antonio/Bexar County HMIS account, or you are designated as an important point-of-contact for HMIS-related updates. As an HMIS User, it is important for you to stay up-to-date on all major updates regarding the database.

We ask that you do not Unsubscribe from these alerts as long as you use HMIS.

If you believe this description no longer applies to you, please submit a ticket to HMIS.Support@Havenforhope.org to request your account be deactivated.

(Our Contact lists are uploaded on a monthly basis, so please allow time to account for this.)