Which data element is typically required for Night-by-Night Emergency Shelters but not necessarily for Entry/Exit?

• A. Date of Engagement on the Program Entry Screen.
• B. Health insurance status.
• C. Program Exit Screen.
• D. Housing cost data.

Answer: (A)

Tracking the exact start date of shelter engagement is essential for night-by-night operations because daily census, nights of service, and length of stay hinge on when a client first began using the shelter. The Date of Engagement on the Program Entry Screen provides that precise starting point, enabling accurate nightly reporting and occupancy calculations. In contrast, entry/exit programs focus more on admission and discharge timing for the overall program, so this specific daily-start date isn’t as central there. Health insurance status and housing cost data are important in broader client records, but they don’t directly support the daily census needs of night-by-night shelters, and the program exit screen reflects leaving events rather than the initiation of service.