NTST Netsmart Technologies (MM)

Comprehensive Suite of Education Offerings is Designed to Improve Staff Retention and Reduce Training Costs for Health and Human Services Organizations GREAT RIVER, N.Y., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Netsmart Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTST), a leading provider of enterprise-wide software for health and human services organizations, today announced the launch of Netsmart University, a comprehensive suite of training offerings and learning management system for health and human services (HHS) organizations. From classroom training to on-line learning, Netsmart University is designed to be a complete training resource intended to help HHS organizations provide required employee training and education programs, and effectively track and manage staff development activities. With Netsmart University, the same technology that powers the on-line classroom can also be used to create customized learning centers tailored for individual organizations. Netsmart University is powered by ContinuedLearning, a premier learning management system that was acquired by Netsmart Technologies in 2005. The comprehensive learning management system is designed to effectively deliver courses through Netsmart University while providing a software application that also can be installed onsite. "The health and human services industry is experiencing a period of unparalleled growth and change. This makes it challenging for organizations to effectively manage training programs, especially in light of budget reductions and changing regulatory and compliance requirements," said Sheree Graves, Netsmart University business unit director. "Netsmart University is designed to provide new and innovative ways to increase staff productivity and satisfaction, while reducing or maintaining costs in this challenging environment." Key components of Netsmart University include: On-line Learning Catalogs Netsmart University offers one of the industry's largest on-line course catalogs designed for the training needs of HHS organizations. On-line offerings include more than 60 OSHA, HIPAA and employment law courses, plus a variety of soft skills and technology-related offerings. Additional catalogs include courses totaling over 200 CEU credits and clinical skills courses for both human service and health personnel. Courses have been used as part of successful accreditation processes. Corporate Learning Centers Netsmart University is designed to provide organizations of all sizes with the ability to create their own customized corporate learning center. Personalized corporate learning centers are intended to be a secure way for organizations and learners to create, manage, and track staff training, continued education, certification and development. A corporate learning center can be utilized in a hosted Application Service Provider (ASP) setting, or installed as software. Classroom Training Netsmart University offers instructor-led classes for all Netsmart product lines at its specially-designed training facility in Dublin, Ohio. Each class is expected to be a mix of individuals from various organizations and with various levels of familiarity with Netsmart software. The informal tone of the classes should encourage individual participation, creating an atmosphere conducive to learning from one another, as well as from the instructor. Classes are expected to include extensive hands-on experience, which is designed to let learners apply and practice concepts as they learn them. "Netsmart University's capabilities will enable our managers to have responsibility for the development of their staff, unlike some other systems we looked at where everything has to go through the system administrator," said Sunny English, staff development manager for Peace River Center, a private, not-for-profit mental health organization serving three Florida counties. "The fact that Netsmart University offers not just online courses, but also a learning management system powered by ContinuedLearning, will be a great help to us when dealing with our many compliance issues. We also like the user-friendly reports, having a customized URL, and the easy method for new course development." For more information about Netsmart University, visit http://www.netsmartuniversity.com/. To learn more about Netsmart Technology's full range of solutions for health and human services, visit http://www.ntst.com/ or call 1-800-421-7503. About Netsmart Technologies, Inc. Netsmart Technologies, Inc., based in Great River, N.Y., is an established, leading supplier of enterprise-wide software solutions for health and human services providers, with more than 1,250 clients, including 30 systems with state agencies. Netsmart's clients include health and human services organizations, public health agencies, mental health and substance abuse clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and managed care organizations. Netsmart's products are full-featured information systems that operate on a variety of operating systems, hardware platforms, and mobile devices, and offer unlimited scalability. Statement on Behalf of Netsmart Technologies, Inc. Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and probably will, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and those risks discussed from time to time in Netsmart's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, such statements could be affected by risks and uncertainties related to product demand, market and customer acceptance, competition, pricing and development difficulties, as well as general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general economic conditions. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Information on Netsmart's website does not constitute a part of this release. FCMN Contact: mrussell@csmcorp.com DATASOURCE: Netsmart Technologies, Inc. CONTACT: Dave Kishler of Netsmart Technologies, +1-614-764-0143 Ext. 7252, Web site: http://www.ntst.com/ http://www.netsmartech.com/ http://www.netsmartuniversity.com/

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