HMIS Newsletter: August 2026

Table of Contents

• Announcements
• August 2026 Feature Focus
• Report Spotlight
• Transitioning to the New Clarity User Interface 
  
• Upcoming Events 
• Bitfocus is Hiring

Announcements 

Annual HMIS Data Privacy & Security Training September 1st

Big news! We are excited to announce that we are launching Marin County’s very first Annual HMIS Data Privacy & Security Training on September 1, 2026! All active users will have until September 30 at 5:00 PM PT to complete this quick, 55-minute self-paced module to keep our system safe and avoid temporary account inactivation on October 1st. Keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming updates, including our official "training is live!" email on September 1st. Have questions? Reach out to marin@bitfocus.com!

August 2026 Feature Focus  

Updates Now Live 

• Release of Information (ROI) Verification: when a client doesn't have an active ROI on file, the message "Client missing release of information" now displays in the Attendance Service and Reservation workflows.
• System Emails Refresh: all automated Clarity emails (password resets, new user verification, alert notifications) now carry the new Clarity interface branding and updated Bitfocus contact details.
• New Report — Staff Details Report [STFF-107]: lists staff members with agency access, including username, access role, email, phone number, and status — useful for staff administration and access reviews.
• HUD CSV/XML Export Update [HUDX-111]: added Veterans Only, VAMC Filter, and VAMC Station Number(s) parameters, making it easier to isolate veteran-only data for monthly VA Repository and By-Name List reporting.
• Streamlined Enrollment Workflow: Current Living Situation (CLS) assessments are now integrated directly into the enrollment process for all CLS-enabled programs. Users must complete the assessment to finalize enrollment.

Behind the Scenes in Data Analysis (Looker)

• New BHSA Chronically Homeless fields are now available in Looker alongside the existing HUD fields, so California BHSA communities can report chronic homelessness under either standard from the same explore.

Report Spotlight: [HUDX-111] HUD CSV/XML Program Data Export

This month's spotlight: [HUDX-111] HUD CSV/XML Program Data Export — updated this month (see Feature Focus above).

This export packages a community's HMIS data into the CSV/XML format required for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY), VA initiatives (SSVF, GPD, and the VA By-Name List), and Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP) reporting. It bundles project, client, and enrollment-level data into a single zipped set of CSV files that gets uploaded to the appropriate federal repository (the RHY-HMIS Repository, the VA HMIS Repository "SQUARES," or Sage HMIS for YHDP).

• Where to run it: Report Library → Administrator Reports and/or HUD and Federal Partner Reports (availability depends on your agency's Report Library configuration and your access role).
• Who can run it: Typically run by managers or staff with HUD/federal reporting access for the relevant agency — not a general end-user report.
• What's new this month: the added Veterans Only, VAMC Filter, and VAMC Station Number(s) parameters make it easier to isolate veteran-only records for VA By-Name List reporting, without needing a separate export.
• Before running it: consider running the [HUDX-225] HMIS Data Quality Report first to catch and resolve data issues ahead of submission. And once the export downloads, leave the zip file unopened and unmodified before uploading — opening or editing it can cause upload errors.

Transitioning to the New User Interface

What to Know 

On October 1st, we will officially retire the "Switch Interface" toggle, making the new Clarity User Interface the permanent, standard experience for all users. Transitioning to a new interface is a journey, and we are fully committed to walking it with you. 

Key Dates 📆

• September 1, 2026 -The training site permanently switches over to the new Clarity User Interface.
• October 1, 2026 - The live site permanently switches over to the new Clarity User Interface.

Key Benefits  🔑

• Accessibility: The new UI is 508-compliant and includes a new color scheme, a dark mode, and more modern design elements.
• Mobile Optimized: The new UI is mobile-optimized and responsive, making field work much smoother.
• Modern Architecture: The new UI includes backend improvements to allow for faster development of new features, ensuring sustainability as communities grow.
• Icons: We're expanding our library of icons, making it easier to digest various pieces of information at a glance.
• Workflows: We've introduced basic workflows with dynamic steps built into the system.

How to Get Ready Today 

• Jump In Early - Don't wait until October 1st! Please take time to familiarize yourself with the new Clarity User Interface now so this shift doesn't interrupt or slow down your daily work. Finding the subtle differences now makes the transition smooth sailing.
• Confirm Your Training Access - Make sure you can log into the training site now so you’re ready to roll when September hits.
  
• Technical Issues & Questions - If you experience behavior that doesn't seem right, please reach out to our Help Desk at marin@bitfocus.com  immediately.

Resources & Training

• Watch the New Clarity UI Intro Video
• Take the Clarity Human Services: New Interface training course
• Review the Weekly Release notes
• Review the Icon & Tooltip Glossary
• Client Reports New - Available on the training site 9/1

Upcoming Events

HMIS Agency Leads Meeting* | September 16, 2026 at 11am-12pm | Click here for the Zoom Registration

*Agency Leads Only

We ask that the designated HMIS Agency Leads and Security Officers join this meeting on a bi-monthly basis so the information discussed can be shared agency-wide. We will be discussing topics such as community initiatives, trainings, client privacy and security, program and data management, and much more!

Watch Past Video Recordings Here.

Want more details? Check out our full events calendar.

Bitfocus is Hiring

Join our Team!

• Visit bitfocus.com | Jobs | About Bitfocus

• Work with us at Bitfocus! Join a team committed to innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact in human services.  

Questions?

Your HMIS Administrators are happy to help.

Phone: 415-429-1400

Email: marin@bitfocus.com