Shared Master Index (SMI)
Welcome to SMI
This page will provide you with general information about SMI along with links to other resources and official DHS documents. Information on SMI system downtime, change release notes, SMI announcements, contact information (with SMI Staff and county coordinators), Security Access Forms, Frequently Asked Questions, working documents and promising practices can be found on the SMI page on CountyLink’s DHS SIR for those who have access.
What is the SMI?
- The SMI is a web-based system that interacts with other state and service entity systems creating cross reference data base and a common client identifier to assist workers in tracking clients across systems.
- SMI provides a comprehensive view of client data and program participation across program areas of MAXIS, MMIS, PRISM and SSIS.
What is the purpose of the SMI?
The purpose of the SMI is to assist counties, tribes and DHS to coordinate client services across state and county systems. Clients may participate in multiple county and state programs and therefore be known to multiple systems. SMI provides a common database for client demographic data and a comprehensive view of client participation.
Who uses SMI?
The current users of the SMI are dedicated teams of county staff across all 87 counties. Known as “Clearing Workers,” they review person records identified by the SMI as potential duplicates, conduct research and merge records determined to be duplicates.
Users of county systems may also be users of the SMI, although their use of the SMI is transparent to the county user. The county systems that access data using the SMI include Blue Earth, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, and St. Louis counties. SMI connects to these county systems behind the scenes to allow SMI, MAXIS, PRISM and MMIS data to be presented to the user within their county system.
Other county workers may soon be able to access SMI to get a common client view across DHS systems. The SMI user interface has been upgraded to provide a more user-friendly client view across DHS systems to support coordination of services.
Who benefits?
- State and county systems, as the SMI provides tools to determine whether a client known to one system is also known to another system.
- County and state workers, as the SMI provides a user with information about client participation across program areas.
- Clients, as the SMI will enable county and state workers to coordinate services.
Other resources
Human Services Integration Data Access Framework
DHS and counties developed the Human Services Integration Data Access Framework (PDF) document, which defines the data elements available in the SMI and the DHS approved business rules for granting access to support holistic service delivery.
Terminology disclaimer
The terminology used to describe people with disabilities has changed over time. The Minnesota Department of Human Services ("Department") supports the use of "People First" language. Although outmoded and offensive terms might be found within documents on the Department's website, the Department does not endorse these terms.
Human Services Integration Forum
The goal of this forum is to move toward a common vision and best practices in using the SMI to improve client services. The forum, created in 2009, will allow SMI and other DHS partners to understand county business needs so services that are a good fit to support county business can be developed.
Contact
Email DHS SMI Support.
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