Training Information and Opportunities

Hello, and welcome to the CMIS training page. We appreciate the work you do and welcome you to the team of CMIS users who are doing the important work of collecting data county-wide to support reporting on and solving homelessness in our community.

All of our trainings are online, and you can sign up below.

Reasons for CMIS Training

Accurate and high-quality data and reports are crucial for providing effective support and services to people experiencing homelessness. They help us understand the unique needs and challenges of this vulnerable population and guide the allocation of resources to address those needs. That’s why CMIS (Client Management Information System) Training is so essential.

How to Sign Up

  1. Select Online Registration and fill out the form.
  2. Select the course you want from the Training Descriptions below.
  3. Once submitted, the form will be sent to your manager for approval.
  4. Once your manager approves your course, CMIS support will enable your course and send you a CMIS Training Information email with the information to access your course.

Training Descriptions

The City of Spokane CMIS Team offers a range of online training courses to help staff and volunteers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to use CMIS effectively.

These courses cover topics such as data entry, report generation, and data analysis, as well as best practices for working with clients experiencing homelessness.

By completing these courses, staff and volunteers can help ensure that the data and reports generated by CMIS are accurate, informative, and useful for supporting those in need.

Basic User Training

This course will develop the skills needed to use ClientTrack, Spokane's local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) software solution. In this course you will be trained as a new HMIS user and be introduced to the principles of HMIS and the fundamentals to getting started with entering clients in the system and accessing basic reports. This training is aimed towards new users or infrequent users of HMIS in need of refresher training.

Please note: A user cannot be authorized for the CMIS Basic User Training Course or a CMIS Production Account until there is an Agency Partnership Agreement (APA) on file for your organization with the City of Spokane.

Topics Include:

  • Introduction to the concept of an HMIS
  • HUDs HMIS Data Standards
  • HMIS Security & Data Management Basics
  • Creation of Client Records
  • Workflows & Workgroups
  • Project Enrollments & Exits
  • Entering Services
  • Basic Client Reports

Training Syllabus (PDF 415 KB)

Training Video

Data Quality Reports

This course introduces users to the data quality tools used in HMIS to ensure data completeness and accuracy and provides the opportunity to apply these tools to real scenarios. You will get an overview of the various data quality reporting tools, how to choose the appropriate data quality report for the job, and how to identify and troubleshoot common data quality issues. Users will walk away from the course with a defined process for checking data quality monthly as an HMIS requirement. This training is geared toward those who use HMIS regularly and who are already comfortable with ClientTrack's basic functionality.

Topics Include:

  • Introduction to the concept of data quality
  • Accessing data quality reports
  • Three distinct reporting tools that focus on universal, barrier, and financial data
  • Troubleshooting inaccurate or missing data
  • Defining your internal process for checking data quality

Instructions for Running the CMIS Data Quality Report Course (PDF 145 KB)

Training Syllabus (PDF 122 KB)

2022 HUD Data Quality Report (PDF 198 KB)

Annual Performance Report

Experience the process of running and analyzing the Annual Performance Report (APR) step-by-step using ClientTrack. The APR is used by HUD to track the progress and accomplishments of CoC funded projects. This course is vital in understanding how your project data populates this report, how to interpret the results, and correct any data quality issues that may be negatively impacting your final performance measures. This training is most appropriate for HMIS users that are working in a Continuum of Care (CoC) project.

Topics Include:

  • Overview of APR components (Q7-Q36)
  • Defining Leavers & Stayers
  • Running the APR
  • Analyzing the report for data quality purposes
  • Cross reference between datasets
  • Performance Measures Review

Training Syllabus (PDF 348 KB)

Dashboard Training

Learn how to access the Dashboard Designer to personalize the look and utility of your dashboard in ClientTrack. You will be introduced to one of many customizable features in ClientTrack to move beyond the basics. This is generally conducted in webinar format and requires that the user can access the website join.me.com to participate. This training is designed for basic HMIS users who want to enhance their everyday HMIS experience and leverage a function that goes slightly beyond the basics.

Topics Include:

  • Access the Dashboard Designer
  • Understand the Dashboard Designer features
  • Display reports & graphs on your dashboard

Join.me

Monitoring

Receive an administrative level overview of the HMIS monitoring process and learn about related tools and the information you need to successfully meet your HMIS requirements. You will get guidance on HMIS policy and procedure best practices, along with useful knowledge on HMIS security and industry practices. This training is meant for HMIS users at any level who are involved in the administration of City of Spokane funded programs.

Topics Include:

  • HMIS Monitoring Process
  • Policy and Procedure Best Practices
  • HMIS Security (Environmental, Digital, and Physical)
  • Handling Personal Identifying Information
  • Intersection of HMIS & HIPPA
  • Industry Practices (Data Liability)

Training Syllabus (PDF 330 KB)

Data Explorer Training

This course presents ClientTrack's Data Explorer reporting tool. Learn how to design queries and customize reports that removes the need for computer programming skills. You will be able to generate information that suits your needs and fits your schedule. Use it to meet reporting requirements or to just explore your data, either way Data Explorer will allow you to discover new ways of using your data for planning and decision making. This training is geared toward those who use HMIS regularly and have a need to extract data not readily available in stock reports. This training is best suited for HMIS users who are charged with maintaining an inventory of beds and units for their project.

Topics Include:

  • Domains
  • Linking Domains
  • Generating & Storing Reports
  • Data Visualizations Basics
  • Column Sort & Sum
  • Filtering and Parameter Building Basics

Training Syllabus (PDF 330 KB)

Housing Workspace

This course was created to introduce HMIS users to the Housing Workspace in ClientTrack. You will learn how to create a virtual rendering of your facility that includes a detailed layout of your dorms, rooms and beds. By establishing a virtual facility you will be able to make reservations, check clients in and out, which will allow you to manage your housing inventory in real time, and give you access to utilization and waitlist reports. This training is best suited for HMIS users who are charged with maintaining an inventory of beds and units for their project.

Topics Include:

  • Housing Designer
  • Facility Dashboard
  • Housing Reports

Training Syllabus (PDF 334 KB)

Miscellaneous Instructions

Documents


Contact Information

Amanda Martinez
CMIS Business Systems Analyst
509.625.6094
amartinez@spokanecity.org

CMIS Team
cmis@spokanecity.org