Policies and Procedures: Should Victim Service Providers Enter Data into HMIS?

Victim services providers (VSPs) are private nonprofit agencies whose primary mission is to provide services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VSPs must not directly enter or provide personally identifying information in the AKHMIS if they are legally prohibited from participating in an HMIS. Some VSPs receive funds that normally require data entry into an HMIS. Because most VSPs are prohibited by law from using HMIS, they must use a Comparable Database instead.

 A Comparable Database is structured like an HMIS, but the VSP does not share its data with other providers. Federal reports and other reports required by funders contain only aggregate data, and these can be generated from a Comparable Database.

Resources

• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): When to Use a Comparable Database - HUD Exchange
• HMIS Comparable Database Manual - HUD Exchange