United Way recruits agencies for app

The United Way of the Ouachitas is recruiting other organizations to join an online shared case management system to offer more coordinated and efficient service and relief efforts.

The organization recently expanded its subscription to the CharityTracker web application. The online service provides case management service as a tool for resource development, strategic planning, measuring outcomes, reducing duplication and disaster relief.

“This is a program that can be used not just during disasters or major emergencies,” said Sarah Fowler, resource development director. “It can be used all throughout the year for everyone to be able to communicate and be on the same page.”

CharityTracker was developed in Florence,

Ala., after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005. Hundreds of displaced families sought refuge in Florence and a lack of communication between agencies led to a duplication of services and resources became increasingly limited.

The local United Way worked with The Salvation Army, social services and area churches to build an online service to help area agencies communicate more effectively. Hundreds of organizations join the service every year.

CharityTracker is now in use in 1,169 cities across the country. The service has been used to track almost 15 million assistance records for more than $415 million of assistance in more than 4.4 million cases.

Participation is estimated to save organizations about 18 percent per year. Participating organizations include United Way, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, 2-1-1, Catholic Charities, Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels and various other agencies, departments, nonprofits, churches and faith-based organizations.

The United Way of the Ouachitas held a limited subscription to the application during the 2016-17 fiscal year. The organization obtained a more comprehensive subscription on July 1, which allows for an unlimited number of agencies to join and use the service.

“It is going to be much more robust,” said Jane Browning, executive director. “It is really only launching now in its full form.”

Almost 20 local agencies have joined the local network. The United Way of Central Arkansas boasts 120 organizations in its network.

The United Way will host a workshop on Sept. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. about the operations of CharityTracker. The workshop will be led by Lynn Blankenship, executive director of Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic, which joined the service before the local United Way office.

Call 501-623-2505 to register or email jane. browning@ united way. org or katie. yam au chi@ united way. org. Registration is also available online at https://www. united wa you ac hit as. org.

Organizers said they want to be proactive and help local organizations prepare for a possible influx of displaced families from Texas following the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Harvey and subsequent storms. The workshop could be moved to earlier in the month if displaced families begin to arrive in the area sooner.

Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the country with about 2.3 million residents and the country’s fifth-most populous metropolitan area with more than 6.6 million people. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett estimated at least 30,000 to 40,000 homes were destroyed in the Houston area as a result of storms and flooding.

Participants can list details about their organizations, contact information, services and events. Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic uses the service as a client database, but all information remains private.

Browning said she hopes local organizations will input their client data and allow multiple agencies to pool their data, pending privacy releases signed by clients. The database tools allow organizations to produce detailed reports about the services they provide. Accurate and up-to-date information can be crucial when applying for grants and other sources of funding.

“If we have the data, we can provide better service,” said Katie Gibson, associate director.

CharityTracker is compatible with other database systems, such as the Homeless Management Information System. Browning said the applications tools can eliminate duplication of entry processes as well.

The service can alert fellow network users about potential fraud alerts. It can inform organizations of services provided to specific clients by others in the network and help coordinate resources. Browning encouraged government and law enforcement agencies to join for the benefits of coordinated assistance efforts and shared case management.

Information about CharityTracker is available online at http://www.charitytracker.com. Registration is available on the website.