Background

OC HMIS Users are encouraged to utilize the messaging within Clarity for care coordination. Users can message any other HMIS account holders at any agency in OC HMIS Clarity.

 

This is a completely secure messaging system and it is OKAY to use client names and other Personal Protected Information (PPI) in addition to the client unique identifier.

 

NOTE: Do not disclose client names, dates of birth, or social security numbers (e.g. last four), when corresponding by unsecured email.

 

Accessing New Messages

If you have a new message, it will be indicated by a number next to the envelope icon in the top right corner of the screen. Click on the envelope. 

 

NOTE: Clarity will also generate an email alert of any messages (including automated referral notifications) sent via the Clarity messaging system. See the end of this article for further explanation. 

 

 

Once you are viewing the messaging center screen, make sure you are viewing Unread Messages.

 

Hover over the unread message of interest - a trash can and piece of paper icon will appear. 

 

Click on the piece of paper icon to read the message. 

 

 

Replying to Messages in Your Inbox

Once you've clicked on the paper icon to read a message, you'll be taken to the message screen. 

 

If you'd like to respond to the message, enter your reply into the text box and press SEND RESPONSE. 

 

To return to the inbox screen without providing a response (or after sending your response), select the BACK link.

 

 

Creating a New Message

To create a message, select the NEW MESSAGE button in the top right corner.

 

 

The Orange County CoC will be the de facto selection for the CoC drop-down. 

 

For the Agency drop-down menu, select the agency of the message receiver.

 

Then select the message recipient from the last drop-down menu (only users within the selected agency will be listed).

 

Enter your message into the large text box. Notice that you can format your message using bulleted/numbered lists, italic, and bold text. Once the message is complete, select SEND MESSAGE.

 

 

 

Deleting and Managing your Clarity Inbox

The Clarity system allows you to select multiple messages so that more than one message at a time can be deleted, marked as “read,” or marked as “unread.”

To select all messages in the list of Read Messages or Unread Messages, check the box at the top of the list.

 

To select multiple messages in the list, check the box next to the individual messages.

 

 

• To delete the selected messages, click the trash can icon.
• To move the selected Unread Messages to the Read Messages section, click the open envelope icon at the top of the list.
• To move the selected Read Messages to the Unread Messages section, click the closed envelope icon at the top of the list.

 

Clarity Email Message & Automated Status Alerts 

Clarity message recipients will receive an email alert from the Clarity system notifying them of any new messages in their Clarity inbox.

 

Users can click on the link embedded in the email alert and be taken directly to view the message. 

 

 

Users will occasionally receive email message alerts about a pending community queue or housing referral (see image below).

 

 

Click on the embedded link to view the updated referral information for the client. 

 

NOTE: automated referral status messages are generated by the system. If users have questions about the status of a referral, they can refer back to their HMIS Agency Administrator or CES administrative staff for guidance. 

 

NOTE: There are many different types of automated system messages that a user may encounter beyond the ones mentioned above. 

 

For a full list of the emails that Clarity sends to notify users of a variety of system functions, click here.