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A holistic approach focused on research, data harvesting, collaboration and education and additional funding is essential to addressing prevention and intervention

Newport Beach, CA. – Tackling the homelessness and opioid crisis requires a holistic approach working with the entirety of the human and social services ecosystem, managing key information and relationships, according to a new report from the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the leading trade association for the global information technology industry.

CompTIA’s latest report “Homelessness and Opioids: A Roadmap for Sharing Data to Enable More Effective Collaboration,” examines how access to better information and harvesting of existing data on homelessness and opioid abuse across multiple systems may help inform and evolve service delivery to those suffering from the growing epidemic.

“In developing this white paper, we’ve concluded that in order to get upstream in the addiction cycle, better data and faster access to information is needed to pinpoint intervention opportunities more rapidly for addressing homelessness and opioid abuse,” said Kim Shaver, Principal, Kim Shaver Consulting, and one of the authors of the report. “The critical path forward is for advocates, administrators and policymakers alike to recognize and embrace the use of shared data as a key component to stabilizing and preventing both homelessness and opioid abuse altogether.”

Spearheaded by CompTIA’s Human Services Information Technology Advisory Group (HSITAG), the paper advocates for widespread data sharing across the various state and Federal agencies that bear responsibility for providing support and services to those impacted by homelessness and opioids.

Within the context of the defined problem, current policies and funding resources, the paper identifies the operational problems needed to be addressed to enable greater collaboration and data sharing, and considers the following four topics:

1. What Data Needs to be Shared and Who Needs Access
2. What Constraints for Sharing Data Exist
3. How to Break Down the Barriers for Data Sharing
4. Interoperability and Data Standards

The papers analysis indicates that providing a strong foundation through research, data harvesting, and collaboration will empower the initiative to adequately and effectively work towards lowering, preventing, and eventually eliminating homelessness and opioid abuse as much as possible.

Increased levels of research funding will also allow organizations to be better equipped to manage these interconnected societal crises, while efforts to educate further will help shift cultural attitudes and beliefs surrounding homelessness and the opioid crisis and help cultivate a community-minded effort to deal with these closely related issues.

The complete report, “Homelessness and Opioids: A Roadmap for Sharing Data to Enable More Effective Collaboration,” is available for download here.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 50 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.

About CompTIA Public Sector & Advocacy
CompTIA supports policies that positively impact the ability of the IT industry to develop, manufacture, and sell solutions in the global marketplace.  We work to promote investment and innovation, market access, effective cybersecurity, consistent privacy regulation, streamlined procurement, and research and development.  As the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications, we also support efforts to promote a well-trained technical workforce.  Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.