Choosing appropriate software for human services is crucial for any organization delivering community support, case management, or social services. The right software can make an organization's operations more efficient, bridge disparate processes together, and ensure that client results get better and better. But how do you find the best solution among so many options? 

Quality providers like Casebook provide human services software solutions for numerous tasks and responsibilities involving data storage, management, and reporting, along with many other features. If you are thinking about investing in this technology to help alleviate the burden off of your human staff, consider the following:  Here are some key ideas to think through.

Assess Your Organization’s Needs

Clearly define the specific needs of your organization before evaluating software options. Identify the core functions that you require, such as case management, reporting, compliance tracking, scheduling, and billing. Engage stakeholders like caseworkers, administrators, and IT staff to shed light on their pain points and requirements.

Look for User-Friendly Features

The most effective human services software is intuitive and easy to use. A complicated or non-intuitive system can lead to staff resistance and decreased operational efficiency. Look for a system that's complex enough to do what needs to be done but simple enough that staff can use it without a lot of hand-holding. 

The best software has a user-friendly interface and straightforward navigation that doesn't leave staff wandering lost in cyberspace. It also has minimal training requirements; if staff can't easily learn how to use the system in a reasonable amount of time, it is unlikely that they will fully implement it into their duties.

Ensure Compliance and Security

Agencies in the human services sector manage highly sensitive personal information about their clients, making security and compliance with regulations not just important but essential. This means that the software like Casebook must comply with all relevant regulations, pay particular heed to data security, and maintain sufficient records of what was done and why to comply with an audit requirement.

Features that assist with this compliance and security are not just helpful; they are mandatory. These features include data encryption, secure and auditable user authentication, and forms of secure data storage that ensure the confidentiality of client data under nearly all foreseeable circumstances.

Integration Capabilities

The software should easily mesh with other all-important systems, such as electronic health records (EHRs), accounting software, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. These system integrations (almost a necessary condition for effective service delivery) come with a well-worth-the-cost price tag that provides invaluable ROI over time. 

Reporting and Analytics

Essential for tracking program performance, measuring outcomes, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements, reporting and analytics is non-negotiable in any piece of software you may be considering. 

The best offer an array of options, such as the ability to see the raw data behind the presented statistics or to look at the broader picture to analyze how a certain program has performed.

Human Services Software Can Eliminate Your Data Collection and Management Burden 

Selecting the ideal software for human services isn’t a simple task. It requires a thoughtful process that takes several key software characteristics into account. These software attributes are not all equal in performance. That’s why you need to make certain that you have researched and vetted any potential platforms prior to integration.