CCVO News
Sector Update: Potential Resources to Replace HOMES
The Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO) has been monitoring the human services sector response after the announcement of the closure of the Canadian Outcomes Research Institute (CORI) and the resulting loss of the Hull Outcomes Monitoring and Evaluation System (HOMES). CCVO identified the concerns as an emerging issue and has since learned of some related resources for the sector. As part of our commitment to share information, we have provided a brief description of each resource. We will update this list as we receive more information. Please note that the following resources have not been vetted by CCVO.
Case Management Software - Calgary Counselling Centre
In June 2009, Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) received funding from The Calgary Foundation to develop a business plan to explore making CCC's case management software available to the social services/human services sector. The CCC software is specifically designed to serve nonprofit organizations. In light of the discontinuation of the HOMES software platform in August 2010, the completion of the business plan has taken on new urgency. Further information about the case management software will be available at the end of April 2010. In the meantime, CCC has engaged Urban Lighthouse to develop a survey to assist in understanding the needs of the sector at this critical point in time and ways the software could be developed to meet the needs of the sector. CCC is asking agencies to take the survey. For more information, email Robbie Babins-Wagner or call her at 403-691-5908.
Blog: Life After CORI/HOMES
This blog, by Mike Boyes, a developmental psychologist and program evaluator from Calgary, is a forum for identifying replacement options for HOMES, and for agencies to share information about databases and systems they have tried. The blog provides a moderated discussion about options for program and agency management systems and databases, as well as regular updates on discussions with CORI and The Muttart Foundation.
Online Evaluation System - Canadian Association of Family Resource Progarms (FRP Canada)
Described as a simple, user-friendly system, especially useful for small organizations with limited staff, this system is modest compared to HOMES, but does serve the needs of several hundred organizational users to help with monitoring and planning. FRP Canada has received funding to improve its e-valuation system, and is inviting groups to learn about the system to see if it might work for them. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. For more information, email Janice MacAulay or call her at 1-866-637-7226.
Custom Application Development Solutions by Instalogic, Inc.
Instalogic is a Calgary company currently working with clients migrating from the HOMES software to a customized database system. The company specializes in affordable web design, custom application development solutions, internet marketing, and business IT support solutions for growing businesses. For more information contact George Rovithakis at info@instalogic.com or 403-775-0597.
Correlate - Online Web-based Service for Data & Reports by Protegra, Inc.
Protegra is a Winnipeg-based software development company that identifies the nonprofit sector as one of their major focus areas. Correlate is their online data management system, which allow agencies to track services, clients and outcomes, as well as generate reports and electronic exports. Protegra will be in Calgary conducting a demonstration of Correlate on April 21, 2010. For more information email Diego Beltran or call 204-488-5692. Click here to find out more about Protegra's nonprofit practice.