The Power of Permission: Releases of Information (ROI) & Client Consents
Releases of Information (ROIs) determine not just compliance, but what other agencies see in HMIS. This course teaches you how to explain consents, apply them in practice, and ensure client data is visible only as intended.
In homelessness services, client information is powerful — and with that power comes responsibility. Releases of Information (ROIs) and consents aren’t just forms; they determine what data is visible in HMIS, who can access it, and how it is used to deliver services. Done right, ROIs protect client rights, strengthen trust, and keep agencies compliant with HUD and federal privacy standards. Done poorly, they create risk, confusion, and barriers to care.
This course takes you beyond the signature to explore the real impact of consents and ROIs in HMIS. Through clear explanations, real-world examples, and hands-on scenarios, you’ll learn how to explain ROIs to clients, apply consent choices in HMIS, and ensure data visibility matches client intent.
What You’ll Learn
- The purpose of ROIs and client consents in homelessness services
- Federal and HUD privacy requirements that govern ROIs
- How to explain ROIs to clients in plain, respectful language
- Levels of HMIS data visibility (full, partial, closed) and what they mean
- How ROI/consent choices control data sharing across agencies
- Common mistakes in ROI management — and how to avoid them
- Ethical considerations: balancing compliance with client dignity
- Real-world case studies where ROI/consent decisions affect services and outcomes
