June, 2024 | VOLUME 13

Executive Summary

Welcome to the UWGH Data Collaboration Newsletter. This newsletter features updates on new organizations joining the Governing Body, a data safety moment to warn of the harms from QR code attacks (Quishing), and exciting progress on enhancements to the Integrated Client Journey (ICJ) Tech Tool!

Table of Contents

• ICJ Impact Moment
• Update on Data Governance
• Data Safety Moment
• Update on ICJ Tech Tool
• Call to action / contact us

ICJ Impact Moment

Want to know more? View the ICJ and navigation dashboard available on UWGH’s website by clicking here. The dashboard provides a weekly update on the journey of clients working with a navigator across their journey. The dashboard has four views:

1. How did clients hear about ICJ? 
2. How many individuals have been ready for the ready?
3. Where do the clients come from (ZIP code and region)?
4. What are the top referrals now? What are these clients' top needs right now?

Update on Data Governance

The Membership Selection Workgroup met in April and May 2024 to prepare a slate of nominees to join the Governing Body. Six funded partners have expressed interest in joining the governing body and the workgroup deliberated on which funded partners should be selected based on the categories of the inclusion criteria. All six funded partners help fill in representative gaps by providing services in Health Care, Early Childhood / Youth Development and Escape from Violence in regions lacking representation including regions 9 ,10, 12, and 13 (outlying areas of Fort Bend, Montgomery and Waller counties). Each nominated funded partner represents a healthy diversity of their current operating size and overall use of the ICJ Tech Tool.

Data Safety Moment

Under the Data Safety Moment, UWGH will highlight cybersecurity, privacy, or data security related topics to support the safe and secure use of the ICJ Tech Tool.

In our June 2023 Data Safety Moment, we covered how to be more aware of phishing attempts by avoiding opening pop-ups and unknown emails and links, and learning how to spot red flags which include but are not limited to: a demand for urgent action, suspicious attachments, an offer that’s “too good to be true” and links in an email that take you to a username/password screen.

These rules and best practices are a great starting point to keeping yourself safe from the different types of phishing tactics. You may have heard SMISHING (an attack using text messages) and VISHING (an attack using voice calls), but do you know about QUISHING.

Quishing is an attack using QR Codes to hide malicious attachments with the QR code or direct the user to harmful websites. In an FTC article that was written in December 6th, 2023, (Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information), it was noted that malicious QR codes have started being placed over QR codes placed at public establishments, like parking meters, to get personal information from unsuspecting people. You may even get a text message with a QR code for you to scan that feels safer than clicking a link. Some additional best practices to FTC recommends to remember when interacting with QR codes:

• If you see a QR code in an unexpected place, inspect the URL imbedded in the QR code before you open it.
• Don’t scan a QR code in an email or text message you weren’t expecting – especially if it urges you to act immediately.
• Protect your phone and accounts by updating your phone’s OS, create strong passwords, and having a multi-factor authentication.

Past Data-Safety Moments:

• Recognizing signs of malware
• Tips on backing up your data
• Keeping your hardware / software up to date
• Never share user IDs or passwords with others.
• Do not leave your computer unattended while using the ICJ Tech Tool.
• Beware of phishing attempts! Avoid opening pop-ups, unknown emails, and links within emails!
• Article from BridgingApps on tips for managing your passwords. Drowning in Passwords: 7 Tips for Securing Your Accounts Without Mental Overload.
• October was National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In lieu of the 20th anniversary, The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has listed 4 ways to stay safe online (www.cisa.gov): Use strong passwords; Turn On MFA (Multifactor Authentication); Recognize & report phishing; and Keep software up to date.
• The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has an article (Backing up your data) that explains, 1) Why you might need a backup, 2) The Different ways to backup data, and 3) Restoring and recovering data backups.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wrote an article titled How To Recognize, Remove, and Avoid Malware in 2021, and it explains how malware gets on your device, how to avoid malware, and some steps to take to diminish the spread of the malware if your computer has become infected.

Update on ICJ Tech Tool

Over the past three months, the PCIC and UWGH teams have refined the ICJ tech tool platform, by adding effective enhancements to improve the experience of users and clients. These features are detailed below:

• Pre-enrollment Enhancements -  We have rolled out a number of updates to our pre-enrollment pages:
  • We have introduced two new fields for navigators, intended to allow them to better serve clients.
  • We have enhanced the validation on the pre-enrollment forms to promote data cleanliness and standardization.
     
• Enhancements to the Notification Engine - Users are now able to set a wider range of triggered and scheduled notifications for pre-enrollment records, open referrals, and missed and upcoming follow-ups on Self-Sufficiency and Well-Being Matrix (SSWB). This allows users to stay on top of items in need of review.
   
• Improvements to Enrollment Record Validation -Data collected upon enrollment has now been further standardized to promote ongoing data cleanliness and consistency.

• Improvements to Client Barrier Fund Tracking -We have made enhancements to allow the tracking of additional funding types by specific users. This includes support for new (current and future) barrier fund types.

• Data Pipeline Integrations -We have completed the development of two Apricot agency pipelines, and are in-progress with two Salesforce agencies, one ClientTrack agency and one healthcare partner. We are in continued development with one system-level provider, Coalition for the Homeless. We are targeting to on-board two new agencies per month.

These features are informed by users of the platform, and they designed to improve their experience and further customize clients’ care plans. As phase 3 of the ICJ tech tool is on the horizon, be on the outlook for significant and platform integrations. Stay tuned for more!

Get Involved and Stay In Touch 

Curious about the “look and feel” of the ICJ Tech Tool? Check out this video to see the key features of the platform.

Check out the updates and new features to the ICJ Tech Tool here.

If you missed any of the past issues of our Data Collaboration Newsletters, please click here under ICJ Data Collaboration section to view them on our website.

Please feel free to share the newsletter with any of your staff that would benefit from the content. We will use this forum every other month to keep all funded partners updated.

If you are interested in joining United Way of Greater Houston’s Partner Microsoft Team’s Channel or would like to share with us any links to interesting things happening in the Houston area and beyond related to data sharing, feel free to contact us using the button below.