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Chapter 10: Plan Administration <br />- Heightened protection of privacy. <br />- Increased knowledge of who is homeless and what their needs are. <br />Action Steps <br />- Establish an MIS committee under the Council to coordinate research and <br />development of the MIS. The committee will include these interested <br />parties: local governments, nonprofit homeless service providers and <br />advocates, homeless people, privacy advocates, business, academics, and <br />MIS development experts. <br />- Develop minimum MIS standards applicable to all agencies within the <br />continuum. Work with all sectors to reach agreement on minimum <br />standards for the following: what data are to be collected, how they are to <br />be collected, the outcomes and other indicators that must be measured, how <br />information is to be communicated, to whom, and what equipment each <br />agency needs to accomplish these actions. Begin this discussion by <br />evaluating existing data collection tools used by a large number of agencies. <br />- Develop minimum standards for protection of the privacy and confidentiality <br />of clients. Strong client input into design of these protections is critical to <br />ensure all concerns are surfaced. Key issues include: what laws apply and <br />how to comply with them; what consent forms and process are acceptable; <br />what interagency MOUs are needed if at all; who has access to what <br />information; what computer protections, such as code words, should be <br />used, and what training will staff need. <br />- Conduct an inventory of all providers current capacity to meet all minimum <br />standards and system requirements. Identify any training or resources <br />needed to fill the gaps. <br />- Obtain and distribute any equipment needed to fill gaps. Design and <br />implement a training and technical assistance program to ensure a minimum <br />level of MIS competency in all agencies. <br />- Each year, evaluate the performance of the MIS in meeting the needs of <br />homeless people, agencies, and the continuum of care system as a whole. <br />Survey providers and clients regarding system uses, performance, strengths, <br />weaknesses, needs, and protection of privacy. Incorporate survey feedback <br />into recommendations each year for MIS enhancements. <br />Alameda County-wde Homeless Continuum of Care Plan: April 1997 <br />131 <br />