The New York Times warns that shelters across the country are reporting a surge in people looking for help with wait lists “double or tripling in recent months.” Inflation is making the issue worse: rent has increased at its fastest rate since 1986 making housing out of reach for many Americans.
Living in the streets, people are exposed to more crime, violence, and bad weather, including extreme heat. They can lose their job in the chaos of homelessness, and they often struggle to find another one without access to the internet or a mailing address. “America’s Homelessness Crisis is Getting Worse”
Lopez, German, New York Times, July 15, 2022
Provisio is proud to partner with Shelter and Housing organizations who support the unhoused and provide services to them during their darkest times. Provisio works exclusively with human services organizations, understands their unique challenges, and has developed functionality within Salesforce to improve user experience and reduce instances of trauma for individuals seeking services.
Enhancing Client Experiences Through Personalized Bed Management
When individuals come to a shelter, they are often in a vulnerable state, and the process of finding a safe place to sleep should be as seamless and respectful as possible. A bed management system that takes into account the specific needs of each client—such as medical requirements, family status, or privacy concerns—can significantly improve their experience.
For example, a system that can match individuals to beds based on accessibility needs or that can keep families together in adjacent beds can reduce the stress and trauma often associated with entering a shelter. Additionally, by minimizing wait times and ensuring that each person is assigned the most appropriate bed available, shelters can provide a more dignified and supportive environment for those they serve.
This level of personalization also extends to tracking and accommodating special needs, such as dietary restrictions or health conditions that might require specific living conditions. A comprehensive bed management system allows shelters to capture and utilize this information effectively, ensuring that each individual’s unique needs are met.
Salesforce Helps Deliver Trauma-Informed Services
Our scalable bed management and shelter solutions work well for nonprofits of any size and can meaningfully improve your team’s ability to support individuals and families when they need it the most. Read more about trauma-informed care here: Use Salesforce to Deliver Trauma-Informed Services
“Our housing cause area solution will allow you to not only track numbers of units, beds and families served, but also allow you to tell your organizations larger impact in helping people stabilize their housing situation”
Valerie Rogers, Senior Solutions Engineer at Provisio Partners
Comprehensive Bed Management System Features
With Provisio’s Housing and Shelter & Bed Management CAUSE solutions, you can:
How Bed Management Systems Support Compliance and Reporting
In addition to improving day-to-day operations, a bed management system plays a vital role in supporting compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Many funding sources require detailed reports on how resources are used, including the occupancy rates of shelters and the demographics of those served. A sophisticated bed management system automates much of this reporting process, ensuring that data is accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible.
By maintaining a clear and detailed record of bed assignments, special accommodations, and service delivery, shelters can demonstrate compliance with all necessary regulations, secure funding, and continue to operate without interruption. Moreover, the ability to quickly generate reports that show the impact of the shelter’s work can help in advocacy efforts, grant applications, and demonstrating accountability to stakeholders.
Future Trends in Bed Management Systems
As technology continues to evolve, bed management systems are becoming more advanced, offering even greater capabilities to shelters and housing organizations.
One emerging trend is the use of mobile applications and cloud-based platforms, which enable shelter staff to manage bed assignments and access data from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility can be particularly valuable in emergency situations or for organizations that operate multiple shelters across different locations. The ability to manage bed assignments remotely ensures that all staff members have up-to-date information, improving coordination and response times.
Additionally, as data security and privacy concerns become increasingly important, modern bed management systems are incorporating advanced encryption and data protection measures. This ensures that sensitive client information is kept secure, in compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, and that clients can trust their data is handled responsibly.
Enhancing Efficiency and Impact Through Bed Management
Implementing a sophisticated bed management system is not just about logistics; it’s about enhancing the overall mission of your organization. With real-time data and comprehensive tools, shelters can make informed decisions that improve service delivery and client outcomes. Whether it’s adjusting bed assignments to accommodate special needs or managing meal distribution, a well-integrated bed management system empowers your organization to provide better care and support to those in need.
Provisio’s solutions are designed with the complexities of shelter management in mind, offering features that streamline operations and enhance your ability to serve the community effectively.
FAQs
Bed management refers to the process of organizing and assigning beds within a shelter or housing facility. It involves tracking available beds, managing occupancy, and ensuring that beds are allocated efficiently to meet the needs of individuals seeking shelter.
A bed management system is crucial because it helps shelters optimize their resources, ensuring that every available bed is used effectively. It also enables real-time tracking, reduces wait times, and enhances the overall experience for clients by matching them with the most suitable accommodations.
A cloud-based bed management system offers flexibility, as it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This is especially beneficial for organizations with multiple locations or in emergency situations where remote access to data is critical.
Marjorie lives in Saint Louis, Missouri. She received her Master’s degree in English from Truman State University. Her responsibilities at Provisio Partners include content creation and technical writing.