PATHWAYS COMPASS Version 5.15.0.4 Released

Pathways announces the Release of V5.15.0.4. This release includes enhancements for capturing Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) data and system corrections. Additional details are outlined below:

HPRP enhancements:

Service Transaction Page

Previous: The links to record services were named New Non-HPRP Services and New HPRP Services

Current: The links to record services have been renamed to New Services and HPRP Services.

HPRP Preferred Services Page

Previous: This required Agency Admin to setup HPRP Preferred Services based upon funding.

Current: The Agency Admin no longer has to set up the HPRP Preferred Services. The HPRP service/taxonomy code relationship will now be hardcoded. All HPRP Programs will use the same HPRP service/taxonomy codes. These services will appear when selecting the ellipse button on the HPRP Services Page. These specific codes can be found at www.pcni.info on the Forms, Documents and Videos page.

HPRP Service Transactional Page

Previous: The Service End date could be any date in the future.

Current: The Service End Date cannot exceed 90 days form Service Begin Date.

Previous: There were no provisions to indicate time spent with a client on the HPRP Service Page.

Current: The Services Case Management time field has been added to the HPRP Services Page.

Previous: Financial Services did not require a Financial Amount to be entered.

Current: Financial Services Amount is a required field if an HPRP Financial Service Need has been selected.

Previous: No Disbursement and Referral options were available on the HPRP Services page

Current: Disbursement and Referral options have been added to the HPRP Services page.

HPRP Program Enrollment Page:

Previous: Capturing County where service was provided was not available.

Current: On the Program Enrollment Page, a County drop down list will provide the ability to capture the county in which the person received the HPRP service.

HPRP Program Discharge Page

Previous: Program Discharge page previously allowed discharging of multiple programs at one time.

Current: Program discharge has changed to a single select radio button and each Program Discharge must be completed one at a time.

Previous: The Pre-Populate Selection check box was previously visible.

Current: The Pre-Populate Selection check box has been removed.

Previous: HPRP Program Discharge Page fields were editable.

Current: HPRP fields are no longer editable on the HPRP Program Discharge Page.

Previous: Financial Service, and Housing Relocation & Stabilization Start Date and End Date were visible on the HPRP Program Discharge Page.

Current: Financial Service and Housing Relocation & Stabilization Start Date, and End

Date have been removed

Previous: The Financial amount for each category not shown on the HPRP Program Discharge Page.

Current: The Financial amount for each category of Financial HPRP Service will be displayed.

Previous: The Total financial amount for Financial Assistance was visible and editable.

Current: The Total Financial amount for Financial Assistance will be visible but not editable.

Other Enhancements

Previous: Multiple Funding Sources could be selected for an HPRP Program.

Current: Only one Funding Source can be selected for each HPRP Program.

If there are additional question, contact the Technical Assistance and Training Team at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

Pathways Announces the Release of V5.15.0.4

Pathways announces the Release of V5.15.0.4. This release includes enhancements for capturing Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) data and system corrections. Additional details are outlined below:

HPRP enhancements:

Service Transaction Page:
Previous: The links to record services were named New Non-HPRP Services and New HPRP Services
Current: The links to record services have been renamed to New Services and HPRP Services.

HPRP Preferred Services Page:
Previous: This required Agency Admin to setup HPRP Preferred Services based upon funding.
Current: The Agency Admin no longer has to set up the HPRP Preferred Services. The HPRP service/taxonomy code relationship will now be hardcoded. All HPRP Programs will use the same HPRP service/taxonomy codes. These services will appear when selecting the ellipse button on the HPRP Services Page. These specific codes can be found on the www.pcni.info home page under Forms, Documents and Videos.

HPRP Service Transactional Page:
Previous: The Service End date could be any date in the future.
Current: The Service End Date cannot exceed 90 days form Service Begin Date.

Previous: There were no provisions to indicate time spent with a client on the HPRP Service Page.
Current: The Services Case Management time field has been added to the HPRP Services Page.

Previous: Financial Services did not require a Financial Amount to be entered.
Current: Financial Services Amount is a required field if an HPRP Financial Service Need has been selected.

Previous: No Disbursement and Referral options were available on the HPRP Services page
Current: Disbursement and Referral options have been added to the HPRP Services page.

HPRP Program Enrollment Page:
Previous: Capturing County where service was provided was not available.
Current: On the Program Enrollment Page, a County drop down list will provide the ability to capture the county in which the person received the HPRP service.

HPRP Program Discharge Page:
Previous: Program Discharge page previously allowed discharging of multiple programs at one time.
Current: Program discharge has changed to a single select radio button and each Program Discharge must be completed one at a time.

Previous: The Pre-Populate Selection check box was previously visible.
Current: The Pre-Populate Selection check box has been removed.

Previous: HPRP Program Discharge Page fields were editable.
Current: HPRP fields are no longer editable on the HPRP Program Discharge Page.

Previous: Financial Service, and Housing Relocation & Stabilization Start Date and End Date were visible on the HPRP Program Discharge Page.
Current: Financial Service and Housing Relocation & Stabilization Start Date, and End
Date have been removed

Previous: The Financial amount for each category not shown on the HPRP Program Discharge Page.
Current: The Financial amount for each category of Financial HPRP Service will be displayed.

Previous: The Total financial amount for Financial Assistance was visible and editable.
Current: The Total Financial amount for Financial Assistance will be visible but not editable.


Enhancements:

Previous: Multiple Funding Sources could be selected for an HPRP Program.
Current: Only one Funding Source can be selected for each HPRP Program.


If there are additional question, contact the Support Team at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

PATHWAYS COMPASS Updates and Issues

The Pathways Systems Team is continually working to enhance and improve the PATHWAYS COMPASS Community Information Sharing System. Here's a list of the new features that will be available in the next few months, and the system bugs that the team is working to resolve:

Upcoming Releases
v6.0 - New Navigation, updated database connection scheme, Outcomes 2.5 (available 9/30/09)
v6.1 - HPRP Rapid Data Entry/ID Card Scanning (available 10/29/09)
v6.2 - Dashboards, Care Management Pathways, new data center servers (available 12/10/09)
v6.3 - HMIS data standards update/all remaining elements (available 12/31/09)

As always, we will provide full details on everything included in each release as each new system version is made available to you. Just look for information on the right side of the PATHWAYS COMPASS Log-in Page.

The Pathways Systems Team is also at work addressing the following technical issues:

• Service Records sometimes fail to save if no homelessness information exists
• Agency Program Page reflects the wrong number of enrolled clients
• Services are automatically entered on initial residence record creation
• Inaccurate "disabling condition" warning
• Multiple issues with zip code input
• Agency admin cant activate medhelp permissions in user profile
  

Work on the following issues was completed recently, but we must finish testing our work before we can make it available to you.

• Inconsistant/incorrect results - HUD APR and Program Profile reports

Thank you for supporting Pathways and letting us know how we can better serve you. Contact us anytime with your suggestions and requests. You can reach our Technical Assistance and Training Team at 866-818-1032 option 2, or at support@pcni.org.

PATHWAYS Announces the Release of V5.14.0.1

This release will include the new HPRP Program Descriptor data elements. Only the data elements that require Agency Administrator configuration are described here. To save space, other new data elements that are visible, but NOT configurable by the Agency Administrator are not described here. These elements will be set automatically or by Pathways Staff. These are the data elements that require Agency Admin configuration:

Program Site Configuration:
The Program Site Configuration has been modified and this information will be located on the Agency Site record. The new options are as follows:

Single site, single building.
Single site, multiple buildings.
Multiple sites (replaces "Scattered").

Site Type Information:
The current Site Type information is located on the Site record and will be enhanced. Site Type will now include Special Needs Only in addition to the selections of Admin, Beds, and Services.

Housing Type:
Housing Type is new and has been added to the Site record. The new types are:

Mass shelter/barracks
Dormitory/hotel/motel
Shared housing
Single Room Occupancy (SRO)
Single apartment (non SRO) units
Single homes/townhouses/duplex
Not applicable; non-residential program


Program Type Code:
The Program Type Code has been modified to include the Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing option.

New Program Types:
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
Safe Haven
Permanent Housing (e.g., Mod Rehab SRO, subsidized housing without services)

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing should be used to identify the Program as HPRP. In addition, you will need to create separate programs for each type of funding your agency receives (such as Prevention vs. Re-Housing). Finally, you will need to create separate programs for each jurisdiction you agency receives funding from, for example:

HPRP Financial Asst – Jurisdiction A
HPRP Financial Asst – Jurisdiction B

Bed & Unit Inventory:
Additional bed capacity questions will be added to the current residential Program Types for: Emergency, Transitional Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, Permanent Housing, Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing, Overflow and Voucher Assistance.

These elements are:

Household Type- Households without children, Households with children
Bed Type- Facility-based, Voucher, Other
Availability- Year-round, Seasonal (Emergency Shelters Only), Overflow
Bed Inventory
CH (Chronic Homeless) Bed Inventory- (Permanent Supportive Housing Programs Only)
Unit Inventory
Inventory Start and End Dates
HMIS Participating Beds
HMIS Participating Start and End Dates

Household Type:
The Household Type data element has been modified. You will only be allowed to select one option per Program. Below are the new Household types:

SM Single Males (18 years and older)
SF Single Females (18 years and older)
SMF Single Males and Females (18 years and older)
CO Couples Only, No Children
SM+HC Single Males and Households with Children
SF+HC Single Females and Households with Children
HC Households with Children
YM Unaccompanied Young Males (under 18)
YF Unaccompanied Young Females (under 18)
YMF Unaccompanied Young Males and Females (under 18)
SMF+HC Single Male and Female and Households with Children
Families headed by 2 parents, with at least 1 > 18
Families headed by 2 parents, with both < 18

Special Needs/targeted:
The Special Needs that are targeted by the program (if any) are located on the Program Profile. Only one Special Need Targeted per Program will be allowed. If your program targets more than one Special Need, you should choose the primary target. The choices are:

DV: Domestic Violence victims
VET: Veterans
HIV: Persons with HIV/AIDS
NA: Not Applicable
Chronically Homeless (HUD Definition)
Severely Mentally Ill
Substance Abuse (Alcohol &/or Drugs)
Other Disability
Elderly (ages 62 and older)
Illiterate or Marginally Literate
Criminal History
Homeless
At risk of Homelessness

PATHWAYS COMPASS V5.13.1.0 - System Corrections

* Housing status issue:

The Housing Status is now visible on the client General Information Page and on client Intake screens.

* If you see the words under Housing Status "Not Homeless", you will be forced to select one of the new status options: Housed and at imminent risk of losing housing, Housed and at-risk of losing housing or Stably housed.

* If you update the General Page for a previous or current client for any reason, you will then be required to update the Housing Status at that time.

* Homeless reporting issues with change to Housing Status:

The homeless information is now being captured correctly for each report that captures homeless information. The new Housing Status options will equate to the previously homeless information and will be captured for reporting purposes as follows:

* If a client is homeless, use literally homeless under Housing Status. This answer is equivalent to "Yes" under the previous homeless information options.

* If a client is not homeless, select the applicable option: Housed and at imminent risk of losing housing, Housed and at-risk of losing housing or Stably housed under the Housing Status. These answers are equivalent to "No" under the previous homeless information options.

* If a client doesn't know if they are homeless, select Don't Know under Housing Status.

* If a client refused to answer or reveal their status, select Refused under Housing Status.

* Family Program Enrollment:

The Family enrollment is now available when conducting a client Intake and when clicking on the Process link from the Results List.

Pathways Announces the Release of V5.13.0.2

Pathways Announces V5.13.0.2
Pathways announces the release of V5.13.0.2. This release will include the system changes for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) Phase I, system error corrections and several system enhancements. Each is explained in more detail below:

HPRP Phase I Training webcast dates, visit www.pcni.info/training. Register online or contact the Support Team at 404-639-9933 option2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

HPRP Phase I requirements:
In accordance with HUD requirements, below are the Data Element for HPRP Phase I:
Grantee Identifier
• This number will be provided to the agencies. System users will not need to enter the Grantee Id
• Agency Admin will need to designate if a Program is an HPRP Program
• No action required by system users
Homeless Status at Program Entry
• This section is now called the Housing Status Information
• This section is under the General Information Page
Program Entry Date
• Entry date recorded when a client is enrolled in a Program
Program Exit Date
• Exit Date should be recorded when a client is discharged from a Program
Unique Person Identification Number
• This number is system generated
• No action required by system users
Household Identification
• This number is system generated
• No action required by system users
Destination
• Subsidy Type and Tenure have been removed from Program Discharge page
• Additions have been made to Destinations
Financial Services Provided
• This has been added to the Program Discharge Page
• Requires Financial Services Start Date, End Date, Financial Assistance Amount, and Financial type: Rental Assistance, Security Deposits, Utility Payments, Moving Cost Assistance, Motel & Hotel Vouchers
Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services Provided
• This has been added to the Program Discharge Page
• Requires Housing Relocation & Stabilization Start Date, End Date and Services Type: Case Management, Outreach and Engagement, Housing Search & Placement, Legal Services and Credit Repair

System Error Corrections
Program Profile:
• Problem: If female and male were both selected for Gender Served it would automatically record the client as Transgender on the Program Profile Report.
• Resolved: If Selecting Gender Served as both Female and Male, both Female and Male will appear on the report instead of Transgender.


System Enhancements:
Family Program Enrollment:
• When enrolling a client into a Program, you now can select each additional Household member you would like to enroll in the Program at one time. A Program enrollment entry will be recorded for each family member you selected to be enrolled in the Program.
Family Program Discharge:
• When discharging a client from a Program, you now can select each additional household member you would like to discharge at the same time. A Program exit entry will be recorded for each family member you selected to be discharged from the Program.
Community Admin:
• When switching to an agency under the My Community function, the agency you are switching to will now appear at the top of the page.
Document List Report:
• The Document List Report is now available. This report includes: User Id, Document, Upload Date, and Client Name. To access this Report, go to Agency under the Reports Menu, select the Document List Report

For more information, contact the Support Team at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2. Trainings are posted at www.pcni.info/training.

2009 Atlanta, Fulton, DeKalb Homeless Count Results Released

The homeless population in the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County and Fulton County grew slightly between 2007 and 2009, according to new research by Pathways Community Network, but the rate of increase was far less than that of the general population, which rapidly expanded during the same period.

The 2009 Tri-Jurisdictional Homeless Census Report also showed that homeless people are now less likely to live on the street than in previous years, and more likely to live in shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.

"The study shows that momentum is growing," said William Matson, Executive Director of Pathways Community Network. "Thousands of new homeless housing units have been brought on line in the past few years and that is having a significantly positive effect."

You can download the homeless count report here. All research performed by Pathways in the past six years is freely available here.

The Tri-Jurisdictional Homeless Census is co-sponsored by the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County (GA) and Fulton County (GA).

PATHWAYS COMPASS Release V5.12.1

PATHWAYS COMPASS
Release V5.12.1
Pathways has Released V5.12.1. This release merged the Goals under the Goal Command with the Goals under the Progress Command. Additional details are outlined below:


System Enhancements:

Goals that had previously been entered using the Goals Command in the Client Visit menu has been merged with the Goals entered using the Progress Command, which is also under the Client Visit Menu. The Goals command has been unassigned for all users and should no longer be used.

To conform to the new Goals page users will be required to fill in additional fields the first time they edit the most current merged Goal. These fields are Goal Domain, Goal Type and Achievement Level.

Previously entered Goals will display with the value “Inactive” for Goal Domain, Goal Type, and Achievement Level under the Show History Link. The most recent Goals under each Goal Domain also displays in the Summary Area and can be edited from there.

If there are additional question, contact the Support Team at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

Pathways Announces the Release of V5.12.0

PATHWAYS COMPASS
Release V5.12.0
Pathways announces the Release of V5.12.0. This release adds additional reporting capabilities and includes fixes and enhancements to several system functions. Below are more details on the system changes.

System Enhancements:

Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESGP) Report Enhancement:
The new ESGP Beneficiary Report has been enhanced and now allows you to filter by Program. This report allows the user to select if they want to filter the report. If the user selects the NO radio button, the report will run as it has in the past. If the user selects the YES radio button, the user can then select to filter by a single or multiple Programs. Note: If this filter is used then to be included in the report the client must be enrolled in the selected Program(s) as well as having received a Service record.

To run this report, go to Reports>Statistical>ESGP>ESGP Beneficiary Report>Enter the needed parameters>Click Run

General Page: Document Upload Now Available

The Document Upload function provides agencies with the secure place to store confidential client information such as ID’s and eligibility verification forms which can be shared with others agencies. This function is now available at the bottom of the page (previously the Special Needs section).
• Users can upload .pdf formatted documents that will be associated with specific clients.
• Users can upload client documents, view client documents uploaded by other agencies, and any user within the same agency can delete the document. If the user is from a different agency, the delete icon is disabled.
• Each document upload cannot exceed 1MB.
• Each agency will have a total upload capacity of 500MB.

Special Needs: Requires a Separate Access Right
This section has been moved and now requires additional access.

• Special Needs now appears under the Client Menu.
• Special Needs is now on the User Profile Page and access must be given by your Agency Administrator or a new User Access Checklist must be completed, signed by the Supervisor or ED and faxed to the Support Team.

Residence Page: Contact Information
Contact Information on the Residence page has been modified. Cell Phone/Pager has replaced the Pager field.

Statistical Reports: Need Code Filter Now Sorted
The Need Code and Description is now sorted in Need Code order under Statistical Reports. They were previously in random order.

Intake: Health Status Field
During the Intake process, if no Health Status is entered, the Client’s Health Status will have no value. It was previously given a value of Excellent.


If you have any additional questions, please contact the Support Team at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

Job Opening - Contract Technical Support Specialist

Pathways is currently seeking a Contract Technical Support Specialist who will be responsible for communicating with communities outside the State of Georgia that use the PATHWAYS COMPASS system as an Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and/or as a Community Information Sharing System (CISS). Click here for more information, including instructions on how to apply for this position.

Pathways and HPRP Federal Stimulus Reporting Requirements

The US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced draft data collection rules for its stimulus effort, the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP). As soon as the announcement was made, Pathways immediately began work to update its information systems to ensure that our partner communities will be prepared to comply with HUD's HPRP timetable and rules.

Here's a summary of our major HPRP-related tasks, and their timetable for completion.

HPRP Data Elements:

• PATHWAYS COMPASS users will have access to updated, HPRP-compliant data entry screens by August 1. HPRP data collection requirements actually aren't much different than existing HMIS data requirements, but we do need to add a few fields (and combine three existing fields) so that system users can produce the HPRP Quarterly Performance Report (QPR)

• Agency administrators will have access to HPRP-compliant program profile screens by September 1. They will need to input some HPRP specific program data (grantee name, etc.) so that they can run the QPR

• Pathways will provide PATHWAYS COMPASS users with a full schedule of specialized HPRP data collection and reporting training by August 1

Here's what HPRP grantees and subgrantee organizations will need to do to comply with HUD's rules:

Data Entry

• PATHWAYS COMPASS users may begin to place HPRP client data in the system August 1.

HPRP HMIS Reports:

• Agency administrators will be able to use PATHWAYS COMPASS to run the HPRP Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) by September 1 (six weeks before the first QPR is due to HUD).
  

HPRP Financial Reports:

• HUD has informed us that grantees (and subgrantees) are expected to use their own financial accounting systems to generate responses to financial questions in the QPR. The reason - case management and HMIS systems can show that an agency intended to make a payment (such as a check for rent on behalf of a client), but it cannot show that the check actually cleared. That information can only come from an agency's accounting system

The Pathways team knows how important HPRP is to you and your community. If you have questions, we are ready to answer them. You can call us toll-free at 1-866-818-1032 or you can send us an email. Current PATHWAYS COMPASS users may contact us at support@pcni.org. If you are not a current PATHWAYS COMPASS user, send an email to info@pcni.org.

Pathways Announces the Release of V5.11.3.0

Pathways announces the Release of V5.11.3.0. This release adds enhanced functionality to the Progress Page.

Below are the additions to the Progress Page that are accessed by the Progress Link:

• Client Goals and Client Current Status show history link is now available.
• Agency name or Protected now appears in the Agency column rather than the agency code*
• Progress Link information viewable to all users
• Date can be backdated for Client Goals and Status Indicators.

* If the Agency is classified as Protected due to the clients that are served by the agency, then the word Protected will appear instead of the Agency name.

For more information contact Support at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

Bet You Didn't Know

A Glimpse into the Personal Lives of Your Pathways Team

Many of you have met us at various meetings and conferences or you may have spoken to us on the telephone seeking support.  You’ve met the professional, but if you haven’t had an opportunity to spend time with us separate from business, then there may a few things that you didn’t know.  We’d like to introduce to you our full-time staff members and allow a sneak peek into our world outside of Pathways. 

Jeanette Pollock is a wife and mother.  She loves to spend time with family and enjoys fishing.

Robert Lenhard aka Bob, has been married for 43 years.  He has 3 children and 5 grandchildren from age 13 years to 5 months.  Bob is an ex-IBMer and is a scorekeeper for grandson’s little league baseball team.

April Lockett will blow you away with her awesome voice.  Yes, she sings well, so have your people contact her people…   Other than singing, she likes to read and chit-chat with friends.

Kory Boone has recently joined the Pathways team.  He plays piano and various percussion instruments and is pursuing a career as a music producer.

Last, but certainly, not least by any means [LOL] is me, Selena.  I am a wife and mother.  I love movies, travel, reading and spending quality time with my family. 

Next month... I'll introduce the members of Pathways' Information Systems Team.

Selena Randolph-Mintz, Technical Assistance/Training Specialist

Pathways Technical Assistance and Training Team

Bet You Didn't Know

A Glimpse into the Personal Lives of Your Pathways Team

Many of you have met us at various meetings and conferences or you may have spoken to us on the telephone seeking support.  You’ve met the professional, but if you haven’t had an opportunity to spend time with us separate from business, then there may a few things that you didn’t know.  We’d like to introduce to you our full-time staff members and allow a sneak peek into our world outside of Pathways. 

Let’s start with “the boss,” William Matson.  Most of you know him as “Bill” and he is the Executive Director.  Bill was an editor for 12 years with a wire service and a broadcasting company.  Bill also has 2 dogs.

Tommy Phillips III - outside of being the life of any party, he loves to travel, is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with his loved ones.  Tommy has 2 children, one of which is an M.D. and 2 grandchildren.  Tommy says “Go Hawks!” “Go Falcons!”

Haiyan Lin is our accountant.  She requests to be called “Lynne.”  She is a wife and mother who is about to give birth to her second child.  She has a little girl, age 3.  

There's more...  Next month, the Support Team.

Selena Randolph-Mintz, Technical Assistance/Training Specialist

Pathways Technical Assistance and Training Team

Benefiting from PATHWAYS COMPASS

As I become more familiar with PATHWAYS COMPASS as a new employee, I realize the more benefits it has to communities and agencies. Features such as “Funds” to maintain program balances and “Beds” to assign housing facility rooms and beds can help you serve clients more accurately and efficiently. Agencies can also run a number of reports to get a clear reflection on how their organization is operating, and what services are being utilized more than others.

It is a pleasure to meet people in the communities we serve, and I look forward to continue to speak with and support Pathways systems users.  

Kory Boone, Technical Assistance/Training Specialist

Technical Assistance and Training Team

Pathways announces the release of V5.11.1.0

PATHWAYS COMPASS system users:
Below are key highlights of enhancements and system error corrections that have been implemented in the PATHWAYS COMPASS system.

Enhancements Added:

Login time extended
After an existing user receives a new password from an administrator, the user now has four days to login before the system automatically inactivates her/him. Previously the user had until midnight that same night.


System error corrections:

Reports: Filtered Reports
Problem: Not able to see all options of filtered report.
On reports that allowed users to filter you can only see 5 need codes in the box that contains the available values and can't scroll down to see more. The only way to see more codes is to move the visible ones to the selected values box, which removes them up in the available values box. This would then allow 5 more to be selected.
Resolution: A vertical scroll bar has been added to allow users the ability to scroll down if the list exceeds what is visible in the window.

Customized Intake: Database Error
Problem: Database error message occurs during the Intake process.
A database error occurs if the following conditions occur:
1. Intake new client using Customized Intake
2. Make an error on the Process General Information page, such as Chronic Homeless = Yes and Disabling Condition = No
3. Click Next, error message displays, click Back
4. Correct the error, such as change Chronic Homeless to No
5. Click Next, the Authorization page displays.
6. Set Authorization on File = Yes and click Save.
Database Error occurs, the client is not saved.
Resolution: When the above conditions are met, the error no longer occurs and the client record is saved properly.

Client Progress Link: HSS Indicators
Problem: HSS Indicators under Progress can be deleted by users.
Users can edit an Indicator, and then Save without entering any Status. However, if they do so, the entire indicator is deleted and no longer visible.
Resolution: The HSS Indicator cannot be saved unless Status is entered. Therefore, none of the HSS Indicators can be deleted by a system user. Every user will always see the Housing, Employment, and Income/Benefits Indicators.

Search page: Mass discharge
Problem: Mass discharge does not delete clients from the Program Roster report.
The mass discharge function properly clears clients from programs (so they no longer appear in program related searches) but the Program Roster report still shows them as being enrolled.
Resolution: When the mass discharge function is used the clients will no longer appear on the Program Roster Report.

Program Profile: Program Description
Problem: The system user would get a database error when entering a long Program Description.
Resolution: The system will not allow a user to put more than 100 characters in the Description field of the Program Profile. Therefore, no pop-up message is generated upon Saving because a user can no longer make the error.

Program Profile: Winter/Seasonal Shelter Questionnaire
Problem: Program Profile Winter/Seasonal Questionnaire doesn't display correctly.
When you select Winter/Seasonal Shelter Program Type and click Save, the Winter/Seasonal Questionnaire doesn't completely display. All that shows is the 2 vertical menus on the left side and the title "Program Type Questionnaire."
Resolution: This page now displays correctly.

Password Hints

As a member of the Pathways Support Team, I have observed that many users seem to experience "password blocks" when creating their PATHWAYS COMPASS password.  

Below you will find a series of suggestions that may help:

1. Your password needs to be 8-14 characters long
   
2. It should include at least 1 number
   
3. You cannot use your User Id, your name or your agency's name in your password choice
   
4. Use a password that is personal and unique to you, and hard for others to guess; i.e., dream destination or vacation location, etc.
   
5. As opposed to creating a brand new password every 60 days, when your password expires, try moving the number.  For example: bahamas77 can be changed to 77bahamas
   

We don't suggest passwords, but whatever you choose...Please don't forget it!  

April Lockett, Technical Assistance/Training Specialist

Technical Assistance and Training Team

What's Under the Hood?

Our Information Systems Team is constantly developing, enhancing and enlarging the function of the PATHWAYS COMPASS Community Information Sharing System.  

Sometimes we're asked about the technologies that make this system run.  PATHWAYS COMPASS uses Java-based Web application development technologies, including the Jakarta Struts MVC framework. The database technology PATHWAYS COMPASS uses is Oracle, which provides powerful functions for data query, manipulation and definition. 

Another application that PATHWAYS COMPASS power users benefit from is our Business Intelligence Component - Oracle BI Discoverer, which provides dynamic, user-friendly interfaces to retrieve batch data from the PATHWAYS COMPASS database easily and effectively.

          

Tony Zhang, Oracle DBA/Systems Administrator

Information Systems Team

Beware of Deceptive website

To all HUD customers: There is a bogus and deceptive website (http://bailout.hud-gov.us) posing as HUD. The website attempts to dupe people into providing personal information by appearing to be an official US Government website. Please do not use this deceptive website.

Collaborative Champs

What organizations do the best job of coordinating care with others? New statistics from the PATHWAYS COMPASS Community Information Sharing System show that Clifton Sanctuary Ministries led the way in February, working with partner organizations to coordinate care for 78% of its clients.

Rounding out the top ten:
2. Another Chance
3. St Joseph's Mercy Care Services
4. Samaritan House/Cafe 458
5. Odyssey III
6. (tie) Atlanta Enterprise Center; Hope through Divine Intervention
7. (tie) Union Mission Employment and Training Center; Union Mission Housing Services
8. (tie) JFCS Project Connect; Quest 35
9. Central Presbyterian Outreach
10. Atlanta Union Mission Shepherd's Inn

These organizations coordinated care with partners up to 70 percent of the time.

Overall statewide collaboration champions were:
Georgia - Clifton Sanctuary Ministries, Atlanta
Florida - Connections Job Development, New Port Richey
Montana - Community Crisis Center, Billings


Research shows that when human services agencies work together to serve their clients, overall agency workload is reduced and the help agencies offer their clients is more effective. Congratulations to February's collaboration champs, and to other PATHWAYS COMPASS user agencies that have worked hard to increase cooperative care. If you have questions about collaborative case management, contact our Technical Assistance and Training Team at 866-818-1032, Option 2.

New PATHWAYS COMPASS Feature – Program Profile Reports

PATHWAYS COMPASS users with access to their agencies' Program Profiles can now download and print copies of these profiles. These printed profiles are designed for use with funding applications, such as the current Georgia Department of Community Affairs grant competition.
To print the Program Profile:

1. From the Main Menu, click on My Agency
2. Click on the Program link.
3. Find the appropriate Program, then click on the edit button.
4. Click on the Agency Program Profile link near the top of the page.

This will allow authorized administrator users to print the main program profile page and its associated questionnaire.
If you have additional questions, or need assistance, please contact the Support Team at 404-639-9933 option 2 or 866-818-1032 option 2.

New Things

The Pathways Systems Team is working on several projects in order to enhance PATHWAYS COMPASS system functionality. We've finished developing a new ID Card Scanning module, and it's now being tested at the Fulton County (GA) Human Services Department. The module allows clients to access services by scanning a photo ID card that has a barcode on it.

In March we will release our Document Upload project which will provide PATHWAYS COMPASS users with the ability to upload documents and store them in client records. And we're also working on a set of Community Administrator modules - available in the spring - that introduce a new community data collection and reporting concept that we think our community partners will be very excited about (more about this project later...)

Beini Ouyang - J2EE Developer, Pathways Systems Team

Community Collaboration

The term collaboration is bandied about a great deal today. The word collaboration can be interpreted in different ways, and collaborations can take a different form in every community.

Collaborations can be viewed as situations where one party wins and one party loses or where both sides settle for a compromise. If the right people are brought together in a very constructive way, with the appropriate information, they can create visions and strategies that address their joint problems and concerns. When these collaborations include organizations, civic leaders and other community members who have a stake in the same problems, they can more effectively create positive change.

Pathways supports community collaboration with technology designed to meet the diverse needs of human services organizations. Pathways is a not for profit organization with more than 10 years of history working with state and local governments, emergency assistance organizations, homeless service providers and other human services agencies. We understand the issues nonprofits face, such as limited staffing, so our systems are designed to help you do more with limited resources,

Our PATHWAYS COMPASS Community Information Sharing System helps more social services consumers to find a path to success by enhancing collaboration between social service organizations.

Every day, agencies and communities using PATHWAYS COMPASS work collaboratively and effectively by:

• Instantly sharing information on services consumers receive
• Electronically tracking referrals between agencies (via email and paper forms)
  
• Securely and conveniently maintaining internal client records
• Easily collecting & producing community data for local and national funders
• Generating ongoing unduplicated counts of local residents in need, including special populations such as the homeless
  
• Uniformly collecting client assessment and outcome measurement data at human services organizations across the community
  
• Providing a community-wide view of program and service utilization

Pathways would like to work with your collaboration to see how PATHWAYS COMPASS can propel you to meet the increasing compliance demands of your funders, clients, regulators, partners, providers... even in these challenging economic times.

Tommy Phillips, Director, Community Partnerships

How Well Does Our Training Work?

If you're an active PATHWAYS COMPASS user, you recently received an email with a link to complete a User Training Assessment. This User Training Assessment is an effort to gauge how well PATHWAYS COMPASS users understand the core functionalities of the system after participating in User Training classes. For instance, does the average system user know how to contact the Support Team; how to search for a client record; or how to record a program enrollment and a program discharge?

As of February 13, 2009, 90 PATHWAYS COMPASS users had completed the Assessment. The Technical Assistance and Training Team will use this information to evaluate and possibly make changes to User Training classes. We will share the results of the Assessment in the near future. Thank you all for taking the time to complete the User Training Assessment.

Jeanette Pollock, User Support/Training Manager

Pathways: the year ahead

As I look forward to 2009, I realize there are many things to be thankful for... and many things to look forward to.

• A great team - Pathways has been fortunate over the years to attract a smart, motivated staff; none smarter or more motivated than the team we have now. During the past year we've concentrated on growing our Technical Assistance and Training Team, adding two more Technical Assistance professionals and a Data Quality Analyst
• Our partners - More than a thousand people at 420+ human services organizations count on our PATHWAYS COMPASS Community Information Sharing System to coordinate care for 120,000 people every year. I can't say enough about the communities and human services professionals we serve. We at Pathways are honored to help them make a difference in the lives of their clients
• New stuff - During the next few months we'll have a lot to tell you about. Details will be coming out soon, but here are a few teasers: our Research Team will release a very interesting study on the results of collaboration between different financial assistance agencies; and our Systems Team will roll out several new PATHWAYS COMPASS features, including ID scan cards, document upload, new community wide reporting and enhancements to our new outcomes module

We know that many of the organizations we serve are going to have to do more with less this year due to the deepening recession. During these difficult times, Pathways stands ready to help communities stretch their limited resources by enabling human services providers to work together more closely, reduce costs and increase their overall impact.

No doubt, 2009 brings us unprecedented challenges and opportunities. I can't wait to get started.

Bill Matson, Executive Director

2008 Partner Community AHARs Submitted

Today I completed the submission and verification of data for the national Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) on behalf of four major jurisdictions in Georgia: Athens, Atlanta, Augusta and Suburban Atlanta (Fulton and DeKalb counties). This data was collected by our user agencies during the year ending September 30, 2008. The raw data was confirmed by CoC management and then compiled and reported over the past three months. It was then reviewed and approved by HUD.

My thanks goes out to everybody who was involved in this process for your support and for allowing Pathways to participate in this important endeavor.

Bob Lenhard

Data Quality Analyst, Technical Assistance and Training Team