InfoNet User’s Advisory GroupMinutesMarch 20, 2008

Attendance: Brenda Carter, Freeport; Tolleyne Ray, Centralia; Jodi Shumate, Quincy; Angie Williams, Decatur; Theresa DuBois, Family Rescue Chicago; Theresa Boksa, Elgin; Yesenia Romo, Between Friends Chicago; Mary Coleman, IDHS; Sharon Spinks, IDHS; Jennifer Hiselman, ICJIA; Sarah Conlon, ICADV.

Minutes

Hiselman began meeting with introductions. She also reminded participants that the User’s Manual was distributed to programs via hard copy last year, but that an electronic version of that manual may also be found at http://www.ilcadv.org/dvinfonet_manual.html. Conlon added that data collection forms, definitions, and frequently asked questions are also posted on that web page.

New Information Required by Funders

HUD (Housing and Urban Development) in 2003 released their data standards for collection of data for tracking clients that use HUD McKenny Vento funded programs, including some domestic violence shelter programs. HUD’s Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) standards included a lot of client identifying information which may not be released by a dv program due to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act client confidentiality statutes. As a result, ICADV negotiated a plan with the City of Chicago Continuum of Care to help it get a closer unduplicated count, while still protecting client confidentiality.

Progress on this initiative has been shared with programs throughout the process. Conlon stated that ICADV has distributed a chart outlining each change that will take effect in InfoNet and the impact it will have on programs, both in data collection and reporting. This chart will be revised to reflect more specific changes for programs to expect. This revised chart will be distributed to programs.

Hiselman shared screen shots of these InfoNet modifications with the group. See appendix A. Some of this data will be required for all programs. Some will only be required of programs receiving McKenny Vento funds.

HHS: US Department of Health and Human Services has implemented a new requirement for its FVPSA recipients, including domestic violence programs. They are requiring the collection and reporting of outcome measures. Coleman shares that HHS has outlined 2 outcome measures domestic violence programs will be required to collect beginning July 1, 2008. She also stated that HHS has not provided a lot of guidance on the methods or standards for collection of these outcome measures.

After discussion among the group, it was decided that IDHS, ICJIA and ICADV would develop a proposed plan with general guidelines for programs to collect this information. This plan would be discussed at the next meeting of the User Advisory Group. This plan would be developed in a way that would allow programs ample flexibility to incorporate it into current outcomes data collection on at the agency level.

TrainingHiselman reports that she continues to provide regular training for InfoNet User’s including a training on data entry; a training on using the report utility; and a training on funding for staff issues.

July 1, 2008 Changes Trainings: Springfield non shelter programs 6/9/08; Springfield shelter programs 6/11/08; Chicago non shelter programs 6/23/08; Chicago shelter programs 6/24/08.

Several training issues were identified and will be incorporated into June trainings:-collection of income amount should be monthly.-none vs unknown—explain the difference and importance of collection on each field-revised data collection forms will be provided at the time of the training-what fields are mandatory—for which programs? For which clients?-

APPENDIX A

Client Demographics

Client Income Source

Client Income Source Editor

Client Non-Cash Benefits / Health Insurance

Client Special Needs

Client Residence

Client Residence Editor

Client Departure Information

Client Departure Information Editor