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The Homeless Information Management System: Making Technology Work for Government By Stephanie Simon Information Coordinator Center for Technology in Government Technology is transforming the way governments manage programs and deliver services. Public sector agencies, however, often need guidance when it comes to figuring out how to apply the latest information technology innovations to their particular business problems. That's where the Center for Technology in Government (CTG) enters the picture. CTG is an applied research center devoted to improving government and public services through policy, management and technology innovations. Located at the University at Albany/SUNY, CTG with government, corporate, and academic partners to pursue new ways of applying computing and communications technologies to the practical problems of information management and service delivery in the public sector. The goal is to reduce the costs and improve the quality of government services, as well as reduce the risks of innovation. Examples of CTG's Work Since its creation in 1993, CTG has worked with dozens of government agencies to devise innovative business solutions. For example: HIMS Illustrates CTG's Process The Homeless Information Management System (HIMS) is a prototype information resource. It draws upon data from existing case management systems and uses technology to help decision-makers manage and evaluate temporary housing and service programs for the 30,000 homeless New Yorkers. The integrated information repository is the result of collaborative work with government, nonprofit, university and corporate partners. The planning and development process took about six months to complete. The project team conducted a series of meetings with homeless shelter providers in New York City to address data issues, as well as privacy and confidentiality concerns. The New York City Homeless Providers Technology Committee demonstrated that the idea was valid, and that there was value in their participation in its design and development. The team dealt with the data quality and data transformation issues that are involved in any effort to integrate disparate data sets, developed an implementation and testing plan, and designed and evaluated the system. University at Albany faculty led the team through the user needs and data analysis, and developed the framework for the design. Oracle Corporation then took the lead in completing the design, development and population of the data repository, including the Web-based user interface. In addition, Hewlett Packard lent an NT server, Albany Net provided e-mail accounts, and Microsoft donated server software to the project. Results Achieved The resulting prototype uses a small slice of information to demonstrate the form, function and capability of a full system. HIMS includes de-identified demographic data for families living in several New York City homeless shelters. Those facts are joined by welfare data provided by the state. All this information is matched in the prototype's staging area. Users query the system for answers about various homeless service programs. The results allow government and nonprofit program managers to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of these services. The Bureau, the driving force behind the entire project, is now considering a full system implementation. Projects We Seek Collaboration and innovation, as evidenced in the HIMS prototype, are fundamental principles for the Center's projects. HIMS is just one example how CTG helps make technology work for government. To subscribe to Innovations, CTG's free newsletter, telephone (518) 442-3892. Visit them on the Web at www.ctg.albany.edu.
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Special Populations.... KidSmart Early Learning Program (November, 2005) Adapting to the Web - Bronx Day Habilitation Service (October, 2004) The MOUSE Squad Supports and Rescues IT in City Schools (June, 2003) Harnessing the Internet: Building Online Communities (June, 2003) Bobby Doesn't Approve of Your Web Presence: Making Your Web Site "Disability-Friendly" (April, 2002) Building a Bridge Across the Digital Divide (November, 2000) The Homeless Information Management System: Making Technology Work for Government (May, 2000) LEGIT: Training Teens for Better Futures (March, 2000) School-Based Technology Volunteer Program Helps the Disadvantaged. . . (August, 1999) Finding Information Online: When it Comes to Rehabilitation and Disabilities try NARIC (June, 1999) Computers for Learning: Empowering America's Children for the 21st Century (April, 1999) Internet-Based System Eases Court Preparation for Domestic Violence Victims (Februry, 1999) Hispanic Federations CREDIT Project (December, 1999) Making Information Technology Accessible for People with Disabilities (October, 1998) Other Articles of Interest.... Searching for Cancer Information on the Internet: A New Project in Harlem (April, 2001) Black Data Processing Associates Offers Training, Performs Community Service (October, 1999) Distance Learning and Training can be Low-Key, Low-Tech, and Low-Budget (October, 1999) Community Voice Mail Comes to New York (August, 1999) New York Cares Launches Partners in Technology Program (April, 1999) It Takes More than Computers. . .Libraries in the Information Age (December, 1998) Fill Your Tech Jobs - Free - and Can We Train Your Displaced Worker Clients? (October, 1998) |
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