February 19, 2019

RAM House Joins Blue Ridge Community Assistance Network

Amanda H., Roanoke

We are excited to announce Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) is now part of the Blue Ridge Community Assistance Network (BR-CAN).

With this addition, the BR-CAN now includes all homeless shelter and service providers in the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care service area.

The BR-CAN is more commonly known as the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The HMIS is the local data sharing system used to collect data for clients, housing resources, and services. The BR-CAN has been developed to better serve homeless individuals and families as well as to provide opportunities for the homeless service providers to coordinate services and share information that can help them help individuals and families achieve housing stability more quickly.

“RAM staff and other agencies caseworkers are now able to track the financial assistance clients receive throughout the community, increasing service coordination and reducing duplication of efforts. This information will be an asset to RAM’s Day Shelter, Emergency Financial Aid, and Grant Writing Departments.”

With the addition of the Rescue Mission last year and RAM House this year, the Network has experienced a significant expansion of our community’s data evaluation and service coordination efforts.

The Blue Ridge Community Assistance Network is managed by the Council of Community Services.