Frequently Asked Questions
About the IJIS Institute
Q: What is the IJIS Institute?
Q: What does “IJIS” stand for?
Q: Why is information sharing so important?
Q: Why does the IJIS Institute focus on public/private collaboration?
Q: How does the IJIS Institute help local communities?
Q: Does the IJIS Institute work on information sharing initiatives in sectors other than criminal justice?
Q: What services does the IJIS Institute provide?
Q: How is the IJIS Institute organized?
Q: Who serves on the IJIS Institute Board of Directors?
Q: Who is the IJIS Institute’s Executive Leadership team?
Q: What is the IJIS Institute Knowledge Management System?
Q: Does the IJIS Institute have an audit performed of its finances each year?
Q: How can I receive a copy of the IJIS Institute’s IRS Form 990?
About Membership
Q: Why should my company join the IJIS Institute?
Q: How can my company become a member of the IJIS Institute?
Q: We don’t have a lot of staff resources to contribute, so how can we support the work of the IJIS Institute?
How Do I…
Q: …find out what opportunities are currently available for my company to participate in as a member of the IJIS Institute?
Q: …get information about or sign up for a Technology Assistance (TA) consultation?
Q: …get information about or sign up for a Technology Training class?
Q: …get information about information exchanges and data standards?
Q: …get information about the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM)?
Q: …get help with building and/or implementing IEPDs?
Q: …contact the IJIS Institute?
The IJIS Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit consortium of industry’s leading information technology companies working collaboratively with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies to provide technical assistance, training, and support services for information exchange and technology initiatives. We unite the private and public sectors to improve mission-critical information sharing for those who protect and serve our communities.
The official name of the IJIS Institute is the Integrated Justice Information Systems Institute; however, due to our broadened reach into other sectors of information sharing, we now use only the IJIS abbreviation in correspondence and other branding items.
Why is information sharing so important?
If there was a way to get more information about a subject that a law enforcement officer was pulling over for a routine traffic stop, would that make the officer’s job safer?
If there was a way to share information about suspicious activities observed across a local, state, or regional area, would that be helpful to public safety providers protecting the communities?
If there was critical data about an impending natural disaster that could be shared among emergency management organizations, would that not improve the safety and effectiveness of public safety providers who will respond during that incident?
In every case, information sharing can impact the efficiency and effectiveness of public safety providers. Even more importantly, it can help keep them safe on the job by providing timely, accurate, and complete information. In that respect, information sharing does have the potential to affect every single public safety, justice, and homeland security organization and provider, as well as the communities and citizens they serve.
Why does the IJIS Institute focus on public/private collaboration?
The goal of the IJIS Institute is to promote public/private collaboration to support and advance public safety, justice, and homeland security system information sharing. A founding premise of the IJIS Institute is that the private sector can bring significant expertise “to the table” with regard to information sharing planning and implementation, such as expertise about, emerging technologies, standards, project management, requirements analysis documentation and practice, and other important issues. The IJIS Institute believes that fostering public/private partnerships will help improve the quality of system information integration by improving the relationships between technology solution providers and agencies on important issues such as price, scope, delivery, and implementation.
How does the IJIS Institute help local communities?
Information sharing initiatives at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels trickle down to local communities and make some very big impacts on the safety and security of our communities. Information sharing at all levels related to homeland security keep our nation more secure, sharing initiatives at state and local levels help law enforcement professionals locate criminals, track criminal activities, and even prevent crimes from occurring. In each case, our families benefit from increased safety and security.
Does the IJIS Institute work on information sharing initiatives in sectors other than criminal justice?
Yes! The IJIS Institute began with a focus on criminal justice, but information sharing is just as critical in many other sectors. The IJIS Institute has broadened its scope to include public safety and homeland security as well as criminal justice. We are currently working on initiatives that will lead to the incorporation of corrections, health and human services, and education.
What services does the IJIS Institute provide?
See the Services and Programs sections for information about the work of the IJIS Institute.
How is the IJIS Institute organized?
The activities of the IJIS Institute are governed by an 11-person, member-elected Board of Directors. The Board meets quarterly and has oversight responsibility for the work performed and the organization of the Institute. Most of the substantive work of the Institute is performed by the various committees and working groups.
Who serves on the IJIS Institute Board of Directors?
See the Board of Directors section of our Web site for information about the current IJIS Institute Board members.
Who is the IJIS Institute’s Executive Leadership team?
See the Management section of our Web site for information about the IJIS Institute's management team.
What is the IJIS Institute Knowledge Managment System?
The is a collaborative environment designed to be a formal information distribution system to provide members with information regarding the latest Justice Department and other funding initiatives, information regarding current procurements and awards, as well as information regarding developments within the field of information sharing. Powered by Traction Software, the IJIS Institute KMS contains an exclusive “members-only” area to share information about IJIS Institute technology assistance engagements, rapid access to technical and other developments of interest to companies in this field, and other organization projects.
Does the IJIS Institute have an audit performed of its finances each year?
Yes.
How can I receive a copy of the IJIS Institute’s IRS Form 990?
Here is our Form 990.
Why should my company join the IJIS Institute?
The IJIS Institute represents a collaborative venue that opens up unprecedented dialogue between private industry and the federal government bodies responsible for information sharing standards setting for public safety, justice, and homeland security. We are a partnership of government and industry working together, and providing improvement through an innovative delivery model which engages the resources of industry, provides responsive services, advances national IT standards, delivers high impact programs, and brings the “Best Thinking” to national issues.
Members join because they have the opportunity to serve in an advisory capacity to national organizations and federal justice agencies dealing with national policy issues and information technology standards. From your company’s involvement in these activities, you will gain an early understanding of market changes and evolving national policy as well as impending standards that affect software requirements.
How can my company become a member of the IJIS Institute?
See the Join Us section of our Web site for more information about joining the IJIS Institute.
We don’t have a lot of staff resources to contribute, so how can we support the work of the IJIS Institute?
Participation of volunteer hours at the IJIS Institute is not a requirement, nor are you obligated in any way to engage on a committee, or Technical Assistance, or other Institute-related project. Here at the IJIS Institute, we offer the opportunity to participate. It is true, the more involved you are, the greater your experience, exposure and knowledge of information sharing. However, simply providing your annual financial support through renewing your membership dues is enough to help the Institute carry out its mission.
How do I find out what opportunities are currently available for my company to participate in as a member of the IJIS Institute?
To see a list of current Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other opportunities available to IJIS Institute members, please see our Industry Opportunities page.
I work for a state or local agency, how do I get information about or sign up for a Technology Assistance (TA) consultation?
See the Technology Assistance section of our Web site for information about the IJIS Institute TA program.
How do I get information about or sign up for a Technology Training class?
See the Training & Education section of our Web site for information about the IJIS Institute training program.
How do I get information about information exchanges and data standards?
There are several valuable resources you can use to get information about information exchanges and data standards:
The includes an extensive knowledgebase and live technical support. Contact the NISS Help Desk:
- online:
- telephone: 877.333.5111 or 703.726.1919
- e-mail: NISShelp@ijis.org
The is an interactive repository Web site that provides information about planned, in-progress, and completed IEPD initiatives. Explore the IEPD Clearinghouse Web site, or contact the for more information.
The Web site contains information about technology initiatives of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
How do I get information about the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM)?
Visit the Web site, or contact the .
How do I get help with building and/or implementing IEPDs?
Visit the , or contact the .
How do I contact the IJIS Institute?
See the Contact Us section of our Web site.