New HMIS Features

Next week THN will release TX ClientTrack 2012, the latest innovation of our HMIS platform. This release represents our community's efforts to continually improve a resource vital to the delivery of homeless assistance and prevention services. Below you will find a summary of the major updates. As always, our support team is available to answer any questions users may have.

• Browser Compatibility: 2012 officially supports Internet Explorer 7.0 or above; Firefox 9.0 or above; as well as Mobile Safari for iOS 5.0; Mobile Firefox for Android 2.1 or above; Mobile Chrome for Android 4.0 or above. Users should use a supported up-to-date browser to ensure the best HMIS experience.
• Themes: 2012 comes with a set of 3 polished themes. The names are the same. Users can select their theme from Settings at the top of the application screen.
• Dashboard: The dashboard now has a back button and groupings for enrollments, services and goals to improve readability and better illustrate case history.
• Support Center (User Home): This menu option will redirect users to the THN HMIS Support Center in new browser window instead of an in-application window.
• Paused Operations (User Home >> User Menu): This menu option will display all the user's paused forms and workflows. This option replaces Paused Workflows formerly located under the Client Track tab.
• Open Enrollments w/ Most Recent Assessment (User Home >> User Menu >> Current Enrollment): This menu option displays a search form that allows users to search current enrollments based on the date of the last assessment. For example, if a user wants to see a list of enrollees who haven't been re-assessed in over 3 months, this would be a useful search tool.
• Agency Reports: Users now have the ability to schedule reports for email delivery. On each report setup page, the Queue Report button has been replaced with the Schedule Report button. For example, a user could schedule a report on the previous week's clients served to be delivered each Monday morning in your preferred format (PDF, Excel or Word). Likewise, you can schedule reports to deliver to other users in an organization. The Saved Reports menu option will show a user scheduled and saved reports. Over the next two years, our vendor will also work to update all the canned reports.
• Family and Family Members Form: Family members' race and ethnicity will automatically default to the head of household's race and ethnicity. You may change these choices as necessary.
• Chronic Homeless Assessment: Persons in families can now be considered chronically homeless as per HUD's new definition. Instead of asking about specific disabilities, users simply need to determine if a disabling condition is present; this response will default based on the response on the client's most recent universal data assessment. Users will still need to indicate a client's frequency of homelessness: continuously homeless for a year or more; or, 4 episodes of homelessness in the past 3 years.
• Standard Entry Assessment: The Barriers Assessment now appears before the Universal Data Assessment.

Bollywood Fiesta Concert Benefits Manor ISD Homeless Children

TODOAustin and the Hindu Charities For America is honored to present “Bollywood Fiesta” Friday, June 29, 7pm, at Mexitas Restaurant in Austin. The family event celebrates Indian music and dance, Indo/Mexican cuisine and beverages, and enjoyment for the whole family. Rising star musical ensemble “Dhwani,” seasoned Bollywood dancer and teacher Preya Patel, and students from Manor ISD performing mariachi, will highlight the show. The requested donation of $10 will benefit 600 homeless students in Manor ISD,providing them with school supplies for the upcoming 2012-2013 year.  Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Mexitas restaurant is located at 1107 North I35, with ample free parking. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or by calling 512.335.8809 or at Mexitas or through PayPal at http://www.austindia.com/bf. 

Dhwani ("Sound") was born in 2009 when three musicians found a common interest in composing original Indian music. Sharing a varied and rich musical background, Srikanth, Anand, & Dinesh had an affinity for not only composing across genres but also presenting popular Indian music with their own twist. Over the past couple years, Dhwani has grown and added musicians encompassing multiple talents, all of whom share the core passion of experimenting and inventing their own sound. Dhwani also strives to give back to the community by performing for fundraisers that empower various causes. Dhwani’s musical style spans many genres but is grounded in Indian themes. Multi-level harmonies, classical tunes and foot tapping beats are but part of the band’s musical style.

Preya has been dancing since she was four years old and is recognized internationally for her grace and command of the stage. As the featured dancer in two Bollywood movie productions, a past company member of the blue13 dance company in LA, and a teacher/choreographer, her enthusiasm for Bollywood stems from rigorous training in Classical Indian Dance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary. Preya was a senior dancer and teacher with the Arathi School of Indian Dance, performing lead roles in productions including "Virangana" (Women of Courage), "Seeta Kalyanam," and "Tara.”  Preya currently teaches Bollywood dance classes PAIYH dance studio and Bodhi Yoga. She is also a Bharatanatyam dancer with Stage Sanchaar, a collaboration of Classical Indian Dancers.

The Manor ISD Mariachi Band, begun in the spring of 2012, features talented students from across the spectrum of musical groups performing in Manor ISD. 

About TODOAustin: Multicultural media for all of Austin. TODAustin is a free print/online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage and promoting the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city. Contact: Contact@TODOAustinOnLine.com

About Hindu Charities For America (HC4A): Founded in 2010, HC4A is a community charity that highlights the educational needs of homeless children across America.  To date, Austin ISD, Leander ISD, Round Rock ISD, Del Valle ISD, and Bastrop ISD have benefited from its efforts. Contact: HinduCharities4America@gmail.com    

Registration is now open for the conference

The Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness, presented by Texas Homeless Network, Region 10 Education Service Center, and Texas Homeless Education Office will be held in Houston, September 26-28, 2012 at the Omni Houston Galleria.

A workshop on Ethics will be held prior to the conference on Tuesday, September 25th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

This year, we will be offering an off-site tour to the Houston Homeless Court where attendees will sit through the proceedings followed by a Q&A with the judge. This is limited to 30 attendees so register early and choose the Homeless Court Off-site Tour as part of the available optional sessions.

Visit the conference website for more information!

Nominate an outstanding individual, group or agency!

We are now accepting nominations in the categories of Outstanding Homeless Coalition, Outstanding Community Service Award, Outstanding Community Organization, and Outstanding Case Manager to be awarded at the 2012 Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness, September 26-28 in Houston. There are so many individuals, groups and agencies doing great work and they deserve to be recognized. Fill out the online form now and share their inspiring story!

Motivational Speaker Roy Juarez, Jr. Surpasses Goal

Roy Juarez, Jr., motivational speaker, reaches milestone of working with over 100,000 students on the “My Bag, My Home: Homeless By Choice” Tour. The Tour began as a dream (literally) to inspire students not to give up on life, their dreams, and understand the value of a higher education. In 2010, Juarez set out on his self-funded tour with a mere $100 and a full tank of gas.

From the southern tip of California to the northern corner of Maine, Juarez has traveled the nation, hitting all 48 continental states, inspiring youth at more than 500 lectures with his personal story of perseverance, hope, and forgiveness. Even through personal struggles that include dropping out of high school and being left homeless as a teenager on the streets of San Antonio, Texas, Juarez inspires people from all walks of life.

"I believe being homeless as a teenager prepared me for my current mission: being homeless again. This time, however, it’s by choice, and I have a mission! I hope by sharing my story, young people everywhere will understand the power of forgiveness and the importance of an education,” Juarez said.

At the age of 14, Juarez became a caretaker to his two younger siblings when his parents' divorce caused rippling effects and left Juarez and his baby brother and sisters without parents or a home. After finding guardians for his younger siblings, Juarez packed a duffle bag of personal items that he called his home.

"Roy’s presentation touched and influenced so many of our students and their lives. I know for a fact that at least two of our students that were dropouts returned to school and graduated. The school’s culture has experienced a positive change following the message of Roy’s presentation,” said Eulalio Mendoza, Assistant Principal of Deming High School in Deming, New Mexico.

As a young humanitarian and entrepreneur, Juarez has been able to develop a successful career, lecturing to thousands of youth, educators, and parents throughout the United States and abroad. Once a homeless teenager, Juarez fought the battle to leave the streets only to return to them after becoming a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University. Juarez is currently working on his second national tour; he plans to continue to speak professionally and publish books that speak to the many lessons learned from all his experiences.

For more information about Roy Juarez, Jr. visit www.homelessbychoice.com or facebook.com/royjuarezjr.