HMIS Configuration & User Setup

 

For ServicePoint Version 2.05

 

Updated August 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction:

This manual is designed to serve as a training tool as well as a reference guide for basic administrative duties.  Within this document you will find step-by-step instructions and corresponding diagrams taken directly from the HMIS web interface.  Before you can use the HMIS system you will need to have a user license and login permissions.  The cost of one user license is $225.00.  The CSB Systems Administrator can assist you in this regard.  Refer to the Forms section of the Site Administrator Manual for the User License Request Form.  This form can also be used to request additional user licenses as the needs arise.

 

First Login:
Once a license has been purchased and you have been designated as an authorized user you will be required to login for the first time and assign yourself a password.

The URL for the login page is: http://columbus.servicept.com

 

Prior to going to the login page it is required that you get the generic password that the system has generated for you.  You can get this from the CSB Systems Administrator.  Because the login is case specific it is important that you enter it exactly as it is presented to you.  If it is in the form of an email then the easiest solution is just to copy and paste it directly from the email message.  Make sure that the caps lock key has not been activated.   It is important to note that the system is set to disable your account after three unsuccessful login attempts.  If this occurs you must notify your Agency administrator so that a new password can be generated by the system.  Once you have successfully logged into the system the first screen that you will be presented with is pictured below:

 

 

 

Key Features of the Welcome Screen

Newsflash:  The CSB Systems Administrator has the capability of posting important messages regarding updates, important meetings, and/or issues related to the system in this box.  You should check the Newsflash box for messages each time you logon to ServicePoint.

 

Agency Newsflash:  As the Agency Administrator of your Agency you have the ability to post messages in this area that can only be viewed by members of your Agency.  You should check the Newsflash box for messages each time you logon to ServicePoint.

 

Navigation Bar:  The Navigation Bar contains quick links to the various modules of the system.  This menu remains viewable at all times during data entry and can be used accordingly.

 

Access:   Under the Access option you will find a logoff quick link.  It is very important that you logoff each time you are finished using the system.  Each user has a unique ID and should not be shared with other members of your Agency.  ServicePoint records an audit trail of each activity within the system.  If you leave your computer with your login active and a malicious hack is made or security is breached you will be held responsible. 

 

Help:  The Help Menu has a variety of selections geared toward providing users a more thorough understanding of the broader uses of the system.  You are encouraged to use the help menu when you are confronted with an issue prior to seeking further assistance.

 

Choose A Destination:  This is the launch pad for data entry, reporting, and administrative duties.  As a user you will be primarily concerned with the ClientPoint, ServicePoint, and ShelterPoint links.  Once you have made a selection the module will open and the primary means of navigation will be the Navigation Bar on the left of the screen or the Quick Links displayed a various points throughout the data entry screens. 

 

Internet Browser Settings – Pre-Data Entry Configuration

There are two very important settings that must be configured correctly for the ServicePoint system to be used effectively.  First the web caching must be set to the proper level:

 

Internet Explorer (ie) – go to Tools in the top toolbar, select Internet Options. In the Internet Options window that appears click the Settings button in the Temporary Internet Files section towards the middle of that window's General tab, which should be the tab first displayed. In the Settings window that appears make sure to select the option to "Check for newer versions of stored pages: Every visit to the page."

 

Netscape – go to Edit in the top toolbar, select Preferences. In the Preferences screen that appears, click the Advanced option to reveal the word Cache.  Select this Cache option and make sure to select the option to "Compare the page in the cache to the page on the network: Every time I view the page.

 

You will also need to have the 128-bit high Encryption Pack installed.  This is available from Windows Update via the Tools in the top toolbar.  To see the level of encryption currently installed for your browser select Help and then About.   It will be indicated in the middle of the splash screen.  If unsure ask the CSB Systems Administrator.  Once these are set correctly it is not necessary to configure them for each use.   You will need to make sure that all of the workstations your data entry personnel will be using meet these minimal requirements as well. 

 

 

Administrative Console

 

 

 

 

The Administrative Console provides you with the ability to setup/configure/delete your Agency and user profiles.  The following breakdown of the links displayed above will assist you in setting up your Agency for effective use of the HMIS System.

 

Agency

There are eight sections on the Agency page.

 

Agency Data

This section contains the general address and contact information for your Agency. 

 

Other Areas Served

This section allows you to define any other areas outside of the Columbus area that you may be serving.  It is not necessary to enter any information in this section.  It is provided as a standard service offering for programs that operate in one or more geographic regions.  

 

Taxonomy Classifications

This section is primarily for use in the Resource Point Module and should not be used by the CSB Partner Agencies. 

 

Taxonomy Quicklists

This section is important as it provides the options your users will be presented with when designating the type of need that has been met by your Agencies service offerings.  The CSB Systems Administrator will set this up for you.  CSB is primarily concerned with only four types of taxonomy terms.  These are Housing, Emergency Shelter, Temporary Financial Aid, and Housing Search Assistance.  Currently no other terms should be listed here.  It is possible to only attach the term or terms that your Agency provides.  This will help to eliminate user input error when completing service items for clients. 

 

Referral Quicklist

Currently the HMIS System is not setup to handle referrals through the ResourcePoint module.  Should that occur, this section would be populated with those Agencies that comprise your referral base.

 

Agency’s Related Programs

This section is used to add programs to your Agency profile.  This is useful for Agencies that offer more than one program.  These can each be created and defined here.  For additional information on setting up a program please refer to the Programs section below.  Please be cautious when adding and naming programs.  These names should be logical, and when possible should contain a prefix that corresponds to the to the initials of the master agency.   Ex: CSB - Program

 

Agency Exception List

When your Agency completed the License Agreement with CSB you were given the opportunity to specify other Agencies, if any, that would be given full access to the client and service records that are created by your Agency.   The CSB Systems Administrator would populate this section with those Agencies during initial setup.  It is not advisable to manipulate this list, as it is possible to inadvertently allow other Agency and users to view your confidential records.   

 

Default Client/Service Access

In this section you will define the default level of permissions to all new client and service records added by your Agency.  Overall Client Access must remain open so that other Agencies have the ability to add services to a client that you may have created thereby reducing the possibility of record duplication.  All other items can be restricted, as your Agency desires.  Note:  Because these are system wide, you may want to leave all of them open and then restrict them on a case-by-case basis while entering the individual records. 

 

System Preferences

The interface for all CSB Partner Agencies should be set to ServicePoint Standard.  You can select Default City, State, and County if desired but this is not required.  Show on public site must be set to yes, as well as Print in Directory.  Master Agency will always be set to No and is not a configurable field.  Maximum Users will reflect the number of user licenses assigned to your Agency. 

 

Anytime a change is made to any of the above described fields it is necessary to click the Save Updates button at the bottom of the page prior to exiting the setup screen.

 

Programs

Once data has been entered into HMIS and has been flagged as belonging to a particular program, any manipulation of the program information can lead to a loss of data.  The most critical field is the Program Name.  Once data has been entered for a specific program it is not recommended that you change the name of the program or delete the program.  This can result in data loss.  If you feel that a change should be made once data has been entered please consult the CSB Systems Administrator.

 

Agencies can have an unlimited number of programs associated with the Master Agency, however, agencies must work with CSB when establishing or changing programs in HMIS that are CSB funded.  There are several ways to enter the Program screen.  The first is to select Add A Program while completing or updating the Agency Profile.  The second is to select the Program link from the Administrative console.  From here you may select a Program from the list or choose to add a new program.  Either decision will take you to the Program Information Screen. 

 

There are eight sections on the Program Page.

 

Program Data

This section contains the general address and contact information for the specific program you are entering.  Please enter all relevant information.

 

Other Areas Served

This section allows you to define any other areas outside of the Columbus area that you may be serving.  It is not necessary to enter any information in this section.  It is provided as a standard service offering for programs that operate in one or more geographic regions.  

 

Taxonomy Classifications

This section is primarily for use in the Resource Point Module and should not be used by the CSB Partner Agencies. 

 

Taxonomy Quicklists

This section is important as it provides the options your users will be presented with when designating the type of need that has been met by your Agencies service offerings.  The CSB Systems Administrator will set this up for you.  CSB is primarily concerned with only four types of taxonomy terms.  These are Housing, Emergency Shelter, Temporary Financial Aid, and Housing Search Assistance.  Currently no other terms should be listed here.  It is possible to only attach the term or terms that your Agency provides.  This will help to eliminate user input error when completing service items for clients. 

 

Referral Quicklist

Currently the HMIS System is not setup to handle referrals through the ResourcePoint module.  Should that occur, this section would be populated with those Agencies that comprise your referral base.

 

ShelterPoint Data

If the program for which you entering data is a Shelter Program this section will need to be properly completed so that the ShelterPoint module can be used for checking in and out clients.   Follow the steps below to set up your shelter program.

1. The ShelterPoint Program option will need to be set to yes. 

2. Choose a shelter type from the dropdown menu. 

3. A shelter classification can be defined using the taxonomy quicklist. 

4. Go to Bed Lists

 

Bed Lists

For shelter programs, bed lists must be defined after completing the ShelterPoint Data section and in order to allow to be able to check clients in and out of your shelter via ShelterPoint. 

1. Select Add a Bed List

2. Enter the Name of the Bed List (This will be displayed to your users as an option when checking in a client via ShelterPoint.

3. Enter the number of Beds in Shelter.

 

System Preferences

The interface for all CSB Partner Agencies should be set to ServicePoint Standard.  You can select Default City, State, and County if desired but this is not required.  Show on public site must be set to yes, as well as Print in Directory.  Master Agency will always be set to No and is not a configurable field.  Maximum Users will reflect the number of user licenses assigned to your Agency. 

 

Anytime a change is made to any of the above described fields it is necessary to click the Save Updates button at the bottom of the page prior to exiting the setup screen.

 

Users

This is the screen where you will configure your user accounts.  Once licenses have been purchased the account will be available for you to configure via this portal.   From here you can assign users to Programs, assign the permission levels, reset passwords, inactivate accounts, and change the user login identities.  Site Administrators are responsible for maintaining up to date user accounts.

 

Immediately upon entering the User screen you will be presented with a table containing your Agencies users.  Each user/account can be configured except for the Agency Administrator account.  The Administrator account is only accessible by the CSB Systems Administrator.   To configure or view an account check the box next to the account and click the Edit/View Selected Users button at the bottom of the page. 

 

Name:  This is the name of the user that the license has been assigned to. 

 

Login ID:  The login ID what your user will enter at the login screen.  Each license must be ‘attached’ to a current user.

 

Password:  By default a new user will not have a password.  Once you have entered in the user name and Login ID you will need to select Generate Password.  The system will display a generic password that you MUST record and provide to your user.  Passwords are case specific so please use caution.  Once the user logs in using the system generated password they will automatically be asked to key in a new password of their choice.  Passwords remain anonymous and cannot be viewed by any users of the system including the CSB Systems Administrator. 

 

You can use the Generate Password function at anytime to reset a forgotten password.

 

Access:  This is where you will assign your users the level of access that their position dictates.  Below is a summary of Access Levels:

 

Resource Specialist – access is limited to the ResourcePoint module.  This role allows the user to search the database of area agencies and programs and view the detail screens for each agency or program.  Access to client or service records is not given.  A resource specialist cannot modify or delete data.

Volunteer – access to ResourcePoint, limited access to ClientPoint, and limited access to service records.  A volunteer can view or edit basic demographic information about clients (the profile screen), but is restricted from all other screens in ClientPoint.  A volunteer can enter new clients, make referrals, or check-in/out a client from a shelter.  A volunteer does not have access to the “Services Provided” tab in ServicePoint.  Normally, this access level is designed to allow a volunteer to do the intake and then refer the client to an agency staff or case manager.

Agency Staff – access to ResourcePoint, limited access to ClientPoint, full access to service records.  Agency staff have access to most functions in ServicePoint.  However, agency staff can only access basic demographic data on clients (profile screen).  All other screens are restricted.  Full access to service records is provided.  Agency Staff can also add news items to the newswire feature.  No reporting access.

Case Manager I – access to all features, excluding administrative functions.  Case Manager I has access to all screens within ClientPoint, except the medical screen, and full access to ServicePoint.  Full reporting access.

Case Manager II – access to all features, excluding administrative functions.  Case Manager II has access to all screens within ClientPoint, including the medical screen, and full access to ServicePoint.  Full reporting access.

Agency Administrator – access to all features, including agency level administrative functions.  This level can add/remove users for his/her agency and edit their agency and program data.  Full reporting access. 

Executive Director – same access rights as Agency Administrator, but ranked above Agency Administrator.

System Operator – no access to ClientPoint, ServicePoint, or ShelterPoint. Has access to the administrative functions.  The system operator can setup new agencies, add new users, reset passwords, and access other system-level options.  The system operator helps to maintain the system, but doesn’t have access to any client or service records.  The system operator can order additional user licenses and modify the allocation of licenses.

System Administrator I– same access rights to client information as Agency Administrator. Also has full access to administrative functions.

System Administrator II– full access to system. 

You can view further information about this by going to the Help Link from the Navigation Toolbar and selecting Users/Licenses.

 

Status:  A users status can either be Active or Inactive.  In order for a user to access the system his/her account must be set to Active.  User accounts are automatically inactivated after three unsuccessful login attempts.  This is a common occurrence.  When users claim that they cannot get into the system, this is the first thing that you should check.  It may also be necessary to Generate a new Password for the user whose account has been inactivated. 

 

Agency:  This will reflect the Master Agency that the user is associated with and cannot be manipulated.

 

Program:  This is where you can specify a particular program that your users will be entering data for.  It is a good idea to complete this field if your user will only be entering data for a specific program.  If your users will be entering data for multiple programs this field can be left blank.  However, it is all the more important that the users specify a particular program when entering service items. 

 

Program ID:  This field is auto-filled when a user is attached to a program.  If no program is specified this field will remain blank.

 

UPDATE THIS USER:  Once any change is made to a user profile it is necessary to click the Update This User Button for the changes to be saved. 

 

Agency Custom Fields

These are fields that can be custom tailored to capture specific data elements that the ServicePoint does not have available by default.