--- title: Why tech innovation is important to health and human service providers description: Read more on why technology is crucial to your mission success as a health and human service provider. image: https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/health%20and%20human%20service.png --- ### Search engine Use this form to find things you need on this site Search × [![We're better together.](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/Tech_Networks_of_Boston_June2018/Images/Logo_without_motto-copy-web.png)](https://techboston.com) - [About TNB](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/) - [Overview](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/) - [Annual Report](https://techboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-Benefit-Report.pdf) - [Mission](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/mission/) - [Partnerships and Affiliations](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/partnerships/) - [Certifications & Awards](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/certifications-awards/) - [Blog](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/blog/) - [Free Resources](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/resources/) - [Job Opportunities](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/careers/) - [Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/services-overview/) - [Overview](https://techboston.com/our-services/services-overview/) - [Integrated Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/integrated/) - [Managed Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/managed-services-2/) - [Project Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/project-services/) - [Case Studies](https://techboston.com/case-studies/) - [Using IT to Increase Productivity and Reduce Costs](https://techboston.com/case-studies/increase-productivity/) - [Updating Technology for Growing Needs](https://techboston.com/case-studies/updating-technology/) - [Shifting to Remote Work in the Midst of a Crisis](https://techboston.com/case-studies/remote-work/) - [Protecting Your Organization in the Wake of Cybercrime](https://techboston.com/case-studies/cybercrime/) - [Integrating Technology for Mission Driven Success](https://techboston.com/case-studies/integrated-technology-success/) - [Events](https://techboston.com/events/) - [Upcoming Events](https://techboston.com/events/) - [Past Roundtable Events](https://techboston.com/past-roundtable-events/) - [TNB’s Dialogue Series on Nonprofit Data and Evaluation](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/blog/best-practices-data-evaluation/) - [Contact Us](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/contact-us/) - [Home](https://techboston.com/) - [About Us](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/) - [2022 Annual Report](https://techboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-Benefit-Report.pdf) - [Blog](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/blog/) - [Certifications & Awards](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/certifications-awards/) - [Case Studies](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/case-studies/) - [Job Opportunities](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/careers/) - [Mission](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/mission/) - [Partnerships and Affiliations](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/partnerships/) - [Events](https://techboston.com/events/) - [Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/) - [Contact Us](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/contact-us/) # Why tech innovation is important to health and human service providers [Home](https://techboston.com) / Why tech innovation is important to health and human service providers Return to Previous Page [![image-1](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/health%20and%20human%20service.png)](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/health%20and%20human%20service.png) [View large](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/health%20and%20human%20service.png) [IT services care](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/it-services-care), [human services](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/human-services), [technology management](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/technology-management), [health and human services](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/health-and-human-services), [technology adoption](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/technology-adoption), [boston technology](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/boston-technology) ### Why tech innovation is important to health and human service providers It is widely recognized that the health and human services industry currently faces challenges. Needs are increasing, budgets are tight, and organizations are being pushed to make sure their information is secure. While there is no simple solution for health and human services agencies seeking to maximize their ability to respond to surges in need, some emerging tools, services, and applications can improve efficiency and capacity. Technology, for one, represents a great opportunity. There are many ways technology can help health and human service providers meet key needs, lower costs and improve quality of care. Essentially, technology innovation can be a crucial component of any effort to address needs and better serve individuals and families. In health and human services, [IT has been a significant capital investment](http://www.govtech.com/e-government/4-Technology-Trends-to-Watch-in-Human-Services.html). Agencies and providers have purchased and installed hardware as well as built, run and maintained systems, and also staffed and trained IT professionals. The good news today is that infrastructure, software, platforms and business processes can be bought as services without incurring large capital commitments. This, in turn, encourages experimentation with various IT providers at low cost and low risk, leading to innovative ways of using technology to deliver healthcare and human services. * “The agencies know they must serve increasingly connected customers who expect immediate, convenient access. They recognize that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has provided additional resources that, if deployed strategically, can enhance modernization. They know too that they must drive coordination and collaboration to truly integrate human services delivery.” –*[*GovTech.com*](http://www.govtech.com/e-government/4-Technology-Trends-to-Watch-in-Human-Services.html) Data-Smart City Solutions by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School spoke to over 100 experts and stakeholders involved in human services and technology. They discovered that five common benefits resulted from technology innovation: [Automation, Integration, Empowerment, Analysis, and Accountability](http://datasmart.ash.harvard.edu/news/article/the-technology-opportunity-for-human-services-470). - **Automation**: Technology presents the opportunity for program administrators to remove inefficiencies in workflow as well as the opportunity to automate routine practices. - **Integration**: Technology creates a more effective flow of information among and between various programs and offices. Tools that facilitate integration provide a holistic, cross-program view of client information. - **Empowerment**: Technology can directly empower individual clients as well as families by allowing them to manage benefits and services according to their own schedules and from the privacy of their own homes. - **Analysis**: Technology can help staff understand their clients at both the individual and population levels and allows them to track and evaluate program performance, uncover long-term trends and develop improvements. - **Accountability**: Technology allows for better communication of important information to residents and administrators alike, enhancing the scrutiny and decision-making of administrators, elected officials, and the general public. Another major concern among health and human service providers is the privacy of information flowing from one outlet to another. They too are looking to technology to transform their work practices. Health information technology advances the exchange of health information in an electronic environment, and helps ensures the privacy and security of electronic health information. The widespread use of health IT will [improve the quality of health care, prevent medical errors, reduce health care costs, increase administrative efficiencies, decrease paperwork, and expand access to affordable health care](http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/health-information-technology/index.html). Health IT not only has the potential to improve the health of individuals and the performance of providers, it also has the power to boost engagement of patients in their own health care. Sometimes, taking advantage of a technology consultant can give you a fresh outlook on solutions for your organization and save you valuable time and money when it comes to research. Are you happy with the way your organization is currently utilizing technology? See our list of 70+ free and low cost tools that could help your health and human services organization embrace innovation. 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September 09, 2019 at 10:30 AM by Veronica Moreno-Nestojko … technology resources , Boston MSPs , Boston IT support , technology management tips , technology management [![Technology Management Tips for SMBs](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_709236724.jpg?width=387&name=shutterstock_709236724.jpg)](https://blog.techboston.com/tech-management-smbs) #### Technology Management Tips for SMBs March 06, 2019 at 10:43 AM by Ashley Fontes … Tech Tips , Food For Thought , nonprofit technology support , technology resources , office 365 , health and human services , technology adoption , o365 [![5 Technology Solutions for Health and Human Services Providers](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Doctors%20visit.jpg?width=387&name=Doctors%20visit.jpg)](https://blog.techboston.com/5-technology-solutions-for-health-and-human-services-providers) #### 5 Technology Solutions for Health and Human Services Providers March 08, 2015 at 10:35 AM by Ashley Fontes … ### Leave a Reply [![updatedblogad](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/updatedblogad.png?width=312&name=updatedblogad.png)](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/contact-us/)                    ### Contact Us 1 Wadleigh Place South Boston, MA 02127 Phone: 617.269.0299 Fax: 888.527.9333 ### GET UPDATES ### Resources [Server Failure and Recovery](https://techboston.com/resources/server-failure/) [Plan a Successful Email Migration to the Cloud](https://techboston.com/resources/email-migration/) [How to Align Your Staff on Technology Use and Policies](https://techboston.com/resources/technology-policies/) [Data Loss and Recovery: A Guide](https://techboston.com/resources/data-loss-recovery/) [Assess Your IT Needs: Is an MSP Right For You?](https://techboston.com/resources/assess-it/) [IT Audits and Assessments: What Are They Good For?](https://techboston.com/resources/it-audits-assessments/) [The Right Time to Change Your MSP](https://techboston.com/resources/change-msp/) [Privacy Policy](https://techboston.com/privacy-policy/) © 2021 Tech Networks of Boston