I am excited to announce that I have accepted the role of Data Center Director!

Many of you know me from my almost six years at NCCEH, or at least my voice from recorded HMIS trainings! During this time, I've held a number of roles including most recently as a Project Specialist leading training, research projects, and supervising our ICA System Administrators. In my new role, I'll be transitioning to a more supervisory position. My colleagues Nicole, Katie, and Allison will continue to offer guidance and support for your projects, especially through our Helpdesk (hmis@ncceh.org).

I am ever impressed with the resourcefulness and tenacity of our community partners. Yet as we finish up the analysis of the 2022 Point in Time and Housing Inventory Count, I am reminded of the ever-growing demand for local information on community needs. With an ongoing pandemic, the end of the eviction moratorium, and overall rising housing costs, the Data Center aims to answer this call for better information.

We are expanding the Data Center's capacity, recently hiring Tim Bender, our new Data Analyst, and have just posted my previous position of Project Specialist. Please take a look and share our posting widely!

The Data Center will continue to support providers and staff serving clients on the ground as HMIS Lead Agency for the Durham, NC BoS, and Orange CoCs. We will also be pursuing opportunities to increase data literacy, understanding of homelessness across the state, and research projects demonstrating what we already know to be true: Homelessness ends with safe, affordable permanent housing and strong wrap-around services. And of course, that housing IS healthcare.

Believing that new leadership should always take the opportunity to reflect and gather feedback, I'll be reaching out to some of you over the coming weeks to get your suggestions on how to improve the Data Center's services. Please reach out directly to me at andrea@ncceh.org if you'd like to schedule a time to share your perspective.

I look forward to collaborating with you in the days ahead to end homelessness as we know it.

Onward!