The following is a list of presentations given by Matt Simmonds of Simtech Solutions on the subject of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), and related data analysis, used to support community goals of ending homelessness.   Hopefully these PowerPoints will help provide some guidance to your community based on what has worked for the communities we that we have the privilege of working with.  We post these as as is with no promise that you will see the same results.    Each presentation can be downloaded by clicking the title of the presentation or by clicking on the image from the introduction page.  To view more information on Simtech Solutions involvement in HMIS, see HMIS Consulting & Development.


Conducting, Analyzing, and Using Point in Time Counts
Methods around conducting point-in-time counts have continued to be of critical interest to communities across the country.  While getting accurate counts is integral to the overall goal of ending homelessness, what a communities does with their counts can often be overlooked.  This workshop will highlight how communities have identified data to collect, conducted their counts, analyzed their counts and used their counts to drive policy and raise awareness.


Five Year Trend Analysis of Homelessness in New England
An in-depth look at homelessness in New England from 2005-2009.  Focuses on both homeless individuals and families.  Includes a breakdown by each of the six states in New England.

Presented in conjunction with Eric Hirsch of Providence College


Systems-Level Performance Measurement: Setting the Bar High, Setting it Properly and Clearing It
Reviews the process used to measure change for the  Housing First initiatives of the Quincy/Weymouth, MA Continuum of Care and discusses the proposed methodologies to be implemented to address the recent wave of family homelessness at a regional level for the entire South Shore.

Presented in conjunction with Brooke Spellman from ABT Associates.


United Way’s Community Impact Summit on Housing and Homelessness
Examines the extent of homelessness in the current economic conditions and discusses actions that need to be taken to address the rising trends.

Presented in conjunction with Robert Pulster, Executive Director of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness


New England Regional Point In Time Report
How Data Can Inform a Regional Approach to Preventing &
Ending Homelessness.

Presented in conjunction with Dr. Dennis Culhane, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Data Analysis to Support 10 Yr Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
The Comprehensive Usage of Data Analysis in Developing and Supporting the Goals of Quincy, MA 10-Year Plan.

Presented in conjunction with John Yazwinski, Executive Director of Father Bill's & MainSpring and co-chair of the Quincy/Weymouth Continuum of Care

Data Integration Workshop
Effective Solutions to Data Integration:  Adopting HUD Supported CSV or XML to Merge and Migrate Data.


Data Quality - Best Practices
Overview of the importance of data quality when using HMIS amd discusses ways to achieve a database of high integrity.


Excel Data Manipulation Tricks & Techniques
This presentation will outline tips and techniques used in Microsoft Excel to prepare data for loading into a target database or for performing offline data cleansing.


HMIS - Massachusetts Implementation
The process and integration of HMIS within Massachusetts.  Includes the goal, flow, integration, challenges, and the resources and cost summary of the project.

 
Applying the Scientific Method to Homeless Data Analysis
Discussion of best practices as shared in conjunction with the  Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) at the 2007 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting


Using HMIS Data To Generate Info
An overview of how to generate and utilize data within a HMIS system to convert data into information.  Contains HMIS Best Practices slides.