The Tampa Bay Information Network has a clearly defined process for joining the TBIN network.

1. Information Session. This session is between the prospective TBIN Member Agency and the TBIN staff. All potential organization stakeholders should attend this meeting (CEO/Executive Director, Managers, Supervisors, Data Entry Coordinators, etc.). The purpose of this session is to answer all questions by the prospective organization and address all potential issues as well as for the TBIN staff to get more familiar with how the TBIN Member Agencies providers their specific services. At this time, TBIN staff will evaluate the prospective TBIN Member Agency for TBIN readiness and set goals and benchmarks for implementation.
2. Sign TBIN Agreements. Each Member Agency must sign a TBIN Member Agency Agreement and TBIN HIPAA Compliance Agreement. The perspective TBIN Member Agency and 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares must sign these legal agreements prior to moving forward or scheduling any trainings.
3. Provider Staff Training. There are two types of trainings: Agency Administrator (administers) and End User (all other staff) training. Each staff member who will be accessing the TBIN system must attend a live basic TBIN training by a TBIN staff member. Trainings of various levels are held monthly.
4. Provider Staff Enter Data into TBIN System. After the formal TBIN training, the TBIN staff will schedule a follow-up session with each user to ensure the agency is ready for staff to enter data. Once staff training has completed their follow-up session, TBIN Member Agencies may begin entering clients into TBIN. Data is entered in the following manner:

• Clients: Sign an inferred consent form and, if they want their information shared, a release of information.
• Agency Staff: Input as much available data about the client and save the information into system.

Once data is entered into the system, TBIN staff will monitor the data being entered for quality and integrity. Agency Administrators will be notified of all data inconsistencies and irregularities. TBIN Member Agencies are encouraged to develop an internal quality assurance monitoring process to ensure good quality data is entered into TBIN. Interested Agency Administrators are encouraged to attend report and data quality trainings.

The TBIN staff is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for technical support and to answer questions. If interested in training or tech support, e-mail TBIN@211tampabay.org  or call 727.210.4239.