Bitfocus, Inc., a Platinum Sponsor for Nevada Volunteers, provides a broad range of IT and web administration for Nevada Volunteers. The goal is to provide a total technology package that allows Nevada Volunteers to attend to their core business, while allowing them to make full use of the latest in technology in tools.

Bitfocus, Inc. provides the following services to Nevada Volunteers:

• Server Administration and Maintenance
• Web Server Administration and Maintenance
• www.nevadavolunteers.org web site maintenance
• Custom programing of tools
• Newsletter and listserv database and software administration
• Giftworks remote server administration and maintenance
• Help Desk support
• CRM Software administration and maintenance

Bitfocus, Inc. is the System and Project Administrator for the Nevada state-wide HMIS. To learn more about the HMIS, visit the project website at www.miner-hmis.com.

HMIS is a computerized database that allows organizations that provide services to people experiencing homelessness to collect client information electronically and easily produce required reports. The mission of HMIS is to provide standardized and timely information to improve access to housing and services, and strengthen efforts to end homelessness.

The goal is to eventually provide as comprehensive a picture of homelessness as possible, by incorporating information from all emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing providers, as well as other points of contact for people experiencing homelessness, such as outreach programs, drop-in centers, and food shelves.

Project stakeholders include:

Conference Overview

The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is sponsoring two national training conferences in September for Continuum of Care (CoC) representatives, Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) administrators, and ESG and HPRP grantees. The conference program will be offered in two different cities, Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia. Each conference will focus on HMIS implementation, Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) participation, and the important changes made to HUD’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs by the 2009 HEARTH Act. Attendees will learn how the HEARTH Act amendments may affect local planning and project operations going forward and hear about steps to be taken in preparation for transitioning to new requirements.

The conferences will include a mix of breakout sessions and workshops designed to provide attendees with the information and tools they need to begin planning for changes to local and state programs, planning and project operation. The program also offers attendees an important opportunity to learn about requirements for electronic reporting on homeless programs in a hands-on environment. Among the topics to be covered are:

• Transition issues and building a foundation for success;
• Using HMIS Data for CoC planning;
• System planning and redesign;
• HPRP and system transformation;
• AHAR for new and experienced communities; and
• Strategies for implementing rural programs.

The complete agenda is available at http://www.onecpd.info/index.cfm?do=viewAgenda.

Who should attend the training conferences

HUD strongly encourages HMIS administrators and CoC leaders to attend as well as ESG and HPRP grantees. HUD reserves the right to limit the number of attendees per CoC and/or HMIS implementing jurisdiction due to space limitations.

• CoC leader, administrator or other decision maker
• HMIS system administrator
• ESG grants manager
• HPRP grants manager

United Way of Southern Nevada teams with Bitfocus, Inc. to provide Reporting and Service Tracking of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) through the Nevada statewide HMIS system.

Bitfocus, Inc. is assisting with the development of process flow, report design, agency training and system function  to provide the necessary reporting and analytics for the EFSP program.

For more information on the National EFSP program, please visit:

http://www.efsp.unitedway.org/

Bitfocus Founder, President, and NHSDC member Robert Herdzik will be attending the NHSDC Spring Conference being held in Nashville, Tennessee on April 29th and 30th.  The focus of the Spring conference is “On the Horizon: Expanding the Uses of Human Services Data Systems”.

About NHSDC

The National Human Services Data Consortium (NHSDC) is the membership organization focused on developing effective leadership for the best use of information technology to manage human services.

NHSDC provides information, assistance, peer to peer education and lifelong learning to its membership and other interested parties in the articulation, planning, implementation and continuous operation of technology initiatives to collect, aggregate, analyze and present information regarding the provision of human services.

NHSDC Initiatives

In 2009 NHSDC launched the following six leadership initiatives:

• Community Advocacy Regarding Homelessness and Housing
• Public Policy Advocacy
• Homeless Management Information Systems
• Data Interoperability
• Healthcare
• Disaster Services

Bitfocus Founder, President, and NHSDC member Robert Herdzik will be attending the NHSDC Fall Conference being held at the Hilton Providence on October 15-16th 2009.  The focus of the Fall Conference is “Transforming the Human Service Landscape through Community Data”.

For more information on NHSDC, please visit: http://www.nhsdc.org

About NHSDC

The National Human Services Data Consortium (NHSDC) is the membership organization focused on developing effective leadership for the best use of information technology to manage human services.

NHSDC provides information, assistance, peer to peer education and lifelong learning to its membership and other interested parties in the articulation, planning, implementation and continuous operation of technology initiatives to collect, aggregate, analyze and present information regarding the provision of human services.

NHSDC Initiatives

In 2009 NHSDC launched the following six leadership initiatives:

• Community Advocacy Regarding Homelessness and Housing
• Public Policy Advocacy
• Homeless Management Information Systems
• Data Interoperability
• Healthcare
• Disaster Services

Previously, Blake was a customer service representative at Pardee Homes, providing customer support to their many clients.

A student of the Six Sigma business management strategy, Blake has been working towards his Green Belt status.  Using his attention to detail and extensive background in this methodology, he is able to incorporate the process and procedures and apply them to all elements essential to ensuring quality customer service and satisfaction.

Blake continually updates his knowledge and training to better assist Bitfocus clients while also sharing his time and talents as a crew chief for a very successful IMCA modified, circle dirt track racing team.  Helping them win 4 regional titles and 2nd place national ranking.

The new version features many additional customizable features, as well as a redesigned interface and new tools to increase productivity.  Bitfocus is in the process of preparing for the upgrade, and taking the necessary steps to customize the system to the needs of the State.

Existing users of the system will receive an upgrade announcement shortly, as well as a training schedule to prepare for the upgrade.  More news to follow.

Under this agreement, Bitfocus will provide direct HMIS technical assistance and training under the National HMIS TA Initiative assigned by Abt, and approved by HUD. These activities include providing technical assistance to HMIS implementing communities and regional collaboratives.

The objectives of TA engagements are to promote:

• Increasing homeless assistance provider participation in HMIS;
• Improving the quality of data within local HMIS;
• Improving CoC compliance with HUD’s HMIS Data and Technical Standards; and
• Promoting effective HMIS grant administration

Bitfocus, Inc. as member of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition’s Committee on Homelessness :: Public Awareness Working Group, donated the initial design/development, ongoing support, hosting, and maintenance of the Help Hope Home website.

The goal of the Help Hope Home website is to provide regional community information and coordination on the Help Hope Home initiatives.  Non-profit agencies can find grant related information, volunteers can sign up to be a part of the Project Homeless Connect, and the community at large can view the progress of the implementation plan.

Bitfocus, Inc. is a member of the following sub-committees:

• Homeless Prevention Working Group
• HMIS Working Group
• Public Awareness Working Group
• COH Technical Working Group
• Providers Group