How to Create a Client
Author: Howie River | Date Created: June 25, 2024| Date Updated: June 9, 2025
What this is
Do you need to create a new client in HMIS? Learn how to add a new client and complete the Basic Client Demographics, Contact Information, and Family Information sections for a new client.
Step-by-Step Video
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More About This
You should only be adding a client to the system when you are completing an Intake and Enrollment into your program, or when completing a shelter pre-screening assessment (Hennepin and Ramsey only).
🚨Before creating a New Client make sure you thoroughly search HMIS to ensure the client doesn't already exist. Check out Searching For a Client for more information.
Details
If you are a Coordinated Entry Assessor, use this version of How to Create a Client
- Navigate to the Client Workspace
- Search for the client as described in the Searching For a Client article to make sure the client doesn't already exist in HMIS.
- Once you have determined the client is not in HMIS, Select Intake from the menu group.
- On the first page of the Intake process, Select Add a new client to create a new client.
🚨Warning: Proceeding without searching for a client record first, could result in a duplicate record!
Next, complete the Basic Client Information section. Any fields with a red asterisk are required and must be filled out to proceed.
Name Quality and Social Security Number Quality allow you to indicate if a client doesn't know or declines to provide information.
- Proceed to the Basic Client Demographics section:
- Both Race and Ethnicity and Gender allow you to select multiple answers.
- Next, complete the Contact Information section for your client:
- In the Family Information section, you can link the client to an existing Family using the Family lookup field, or If completing an intake for a single individual, select Self in the Relationship to Head of Household field.
- Next, document the client's data sharing preference that they indicated in the Release of Information. This is the final section of the client's basic information.