Information and Infrastructure
Finding solutions for difficult problems begins with having the right information and infrastructure in place.
As homeless service organizations, local governments, and non-profit organizations seek to address the systemic issue of homelessness in the United States, they require a flexible, secure, and robust software like PlanStreet that will help track and analyze information related to local specific situations. PlanStreet's homeless management information systems or HMIS software is vital to the work that Continuum of Care (CoC) do to address homelessness.
Why PlanStreet HMIS Software for Case Management is Best for Homeless Service Organizations
PlanStreet is a proven, reliable, and innovative supplier of case management software. It provides a combination of versatility and user-friendliness that serves a single purpose: to make the hard work of case management that much easier.
HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Annual Performance Report (APR) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) are available in PlanStreet for multiple programs and funders.
PlanStreet’s case management system is flexible and user friendly. In fact, the software is flexible enough to aid a variety of industries including construction, social work, accounting, remodeling, health care, human services, and many, many more. In addition to being scalable for your specific organization, PlanStreet’s case management software provides configurable dashboards, regular data backups to ensure that files are preserved, and a dedication to data security.
This flexibility is part of what makes PlanStreet effective. Its use can be applied to a homeless service organization’s specific needs and situations. An investment in PlanStreet is an investment in future productivity, organization, and efficiency. The right tools will make an organization that much more successful and the important work that homeless services organizations are responsible for deserves the best.
Top Features
- CoC APR and ESG CAPER HMIS reports
- Complete service planning for clients
- Customization to suit individual Continuum of Care need
- Ability to adapt to new HUD guidelines
- Budget and cost tracking
- Secure storage of confidential demographic information
Key Benefits
- Web-based software allows for access anytime, anywhere
- Information and reports are easily accessed by stakeholders
- Outlines each stage of service in the continuum of care
- Provides real time information for home vacancies and bed availability
- Ability to share information across various agencies using PlanStreet HMIS
- Intake
- Goals
- Outcome
- Customize Reports
- Task Management
- Take It Anywhere
- Organization
- Increased Productivity
- Analysis
- Security
Intake
This is the initial phase of the case and homeless management where clients and/or victims are screened and assessed. All relevant information is captured in the HMIS and the client’s needs are discerned.
Goals
Once a client’s needs are assessed, specific and measurable goals can be set. These goals guide each step taken in the process. It is important that goals be realistic and achievable.
Outcome
The is the ultimate goal of the entire case management process. Being able to achieve the goals set based on the client’s needs will determine whether the client and the program as a whole are successful.
Customize Reports
The stakeholders within each Continuum of Care will have different priorities, outlooks, and interests. Bearing this in mind, a one-size-fits-all reporting package just will not work. PlanStreet offers customized reports so that you have the information you need in the format you need when you need it.
Task Management
PlanStreet’s case management software excels in organizing and delegating tasks. Keeping on top of tasks and their dependencies can mean the difference between success and failure.
Take It Anywhere
Today’s workforce is not bound by and office or regular hours and neither is the work within a Continuum of Care. PlanStreet’s web-based case management software is ideal for the fluid, remote workplace. Team members can collaborate from the field, in the office, or even from home.
Organization
Having a large amount of client information is certainly a benefit but in order for that information to truly work for your organization, it has to be organized. PlanStreet’s case management software offers centralized document storage and form management that will make your data easily accessible. This will create a more responsive and accurate approach to homeless care solutions in your community.
Increased Productivity
PlanStreet’s case management software is more than an investment in organization and process. It is also an investment in the continuum of care’s efficiency and future productivity. By automating and streamlining processes, PlanStreet can allow you to carve out more time for what you are most concerned with: your clients.
Analysis
PlanStreet’s case management software is more than an investment in organization and process. It is also an investment in the continuum of care’s efficiency and future productivity. By automating and streamlining processes, PlanStreet can allow you to carve out more time for what you are most concerned with: your clients. Interpretation of data is just as important as gathering it. PlanStreet’s user-friendly interface helps stakeholders analyze trends, solutions, and problems using custom generated reports and easy to understand displays.
Security
Data protection becomes more and more critical with each passing year. PlanStreet is committed to maintaining HIPAA compliant cloud-based applications. We monitor potential threats regularly and update our security model to address emerging threats. We take your data protection seriously.
What is HMIS Software?
So, what is a homeless management information system?
The primary function of an HMIS is to collect and aggregate client specific, confidential information on local homeless populations. This information that is recorded in these systems can include general demographic information such as age, gender, ethnicity, race, veteran status, and family or home composition about individuals who take part in programs within homeless service systems. These systems may include:
Transitional home
services
Emergency
shelters
Rapid rehousing
programs
Permanent supportive housing
Once this information is collected and organized, it can be shared with federal and state agencies to assess needs and secure funding. Collaboration between agencies is a hallmark of what makes homeless management information systems useful and unique. Information gathered on the local level can be combined with data from other locales in order to form regional and even national trends and analysis.
Specifications and Requirements for HMIS
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) laid out a set of specifications and requirements for homelessness management information systems. PlanStreet meets these baseline standards in order to collaborate and share information with HUD, The United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Project Descriptor Elements
These elements are intended to identify the organization and project that a specific client file is associated within the HMIS.
Universal Data Elements
Any project that is utilizing federal funds or is contributing data to one or more federal partners is required to collect the universal data elements.
Program-Specific Data Elements
These elements include information about the characteristics of clients, the various types of services provided, and the outcome of the project.
MetaData
Elements
The household and personal ID along with project dates and enrollment information should be collected and shared with HUD.
The intent of these guidelines is not to dictate how individual homeless service organizations use the data they collect, rather it is to ensure an efficient sharing of date between agencies. When each partner organization is keeping a like set of data, it enables an apples to apples comparison of trends.
PlanStreet’s HMIS system ensures that you manage each case diligently
Successfully execute your cases with PlanStreet and stay on top of every activity.