help setting up a basic database to track attendence

[bunnycake]

I am a social worker at a drop-in center for homeless youth. I would
like to setup a database to track the clients who access our services.
The probem is that I don't know much about databases. I would like to
set up a database that does the following:
-Tracks clients by name and includes basic demographic info e.g. dob,
nickname, gender, sexual orientation...
-tracks each day they access the drop-in services (like taking
attendance am and pm)
-includes space for case notes to be updated periodically (simple text
field)
-tracks whether they are active in other program services e.g.
shelter/education...(radio buttons?)

My vision is to track the data regularly and print out weekly reports
that give us an idea of who has been accessing services and how often.

I would also like to be able to have staff access an individual
client's record to update and retrieve any pertinent information.

Any help with this would be wonderful. Where should I start? With the
wizard, or from scratch? Should I try to tweek a template? Any advice
is greately appreciated.
Thank you,
John

 

[kessmiller]

I haven't used all of the wizards but they are generally pretty helpful and
easy to use. I would probably start there and see what you get. You could
also just design your own. Start by creating a new table in design view. This
will basically ask you for a field name and data type. I would limit this
table to your demographic type information. I'd get that set up and working
first. If you have a patient number or SSN or way of identifying each client,
set that as an index. You can use that in multiple tables and tie them all
together.

I would suggest you have another table with the client id, date, and comment
field. Make the comment field a memo type item. This will allow you to type
large amounts of data.

You could have another table with client id, date, and a check box for each
service offered. You could use this to track the clients use.

Back up your work regularly and don't be afraid to try new things. That's
the best way to learn. If you can find an access class, I would recommend
taking it. I think it's a great database program.

 

[Larry Daugherty]

See the thread"Tutorials to learn MS Access for some links to get you
going.

HTH