Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness

Network Not Funded in Senate Budget

Pamela Schwartz — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:16:04 +0000

Dear Network Partners:

The Senate Budget Amendment to support regional networks statewide did not pass in the final Senate budget. Special thanks to Senator Stan Rosenberg for his support and co-sponsorship of this amendment. I wanted to pass along a message below from Laila Bernstein of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness. We will continue to work with ICHH and the Administration on future possibilities for state funding as we pursue other local, private funding alternatives. Our work will continue!

Thanks to all for your support and your commitment.

Best,

Pamela Schwartz
Network coordinator

A message from ICHH:

Dear Regional Network colleagues:

We were disappointed to learn yesterday that the Senate amendment to restore ICHH/Regional Network funding in FY2013 did not pass. I know that many of you advocated for these resources with the legislature and also leveraged your Networks to do so. In particular, I want to acknowledge the efforts of Pamela Schwartz, Dennis Carman, and Janet Richardi who conveyed the impact of these resources to their legislators such that they sponsored or co-sponsored amendments to the HWM and SWM budget proposals.

Moving forward, we would like to explore ideas about how to continue statewide Regional Network coordination and partnership among Networks, state agencies, and the ICHH.

We fully believe that Regional Networks have and will continue to transform our communities by collectively pursuing the mission to end homelessness. As shown this past year, we know that this work will continue with or without state funding. Please reply to all or reach out individually with your reactions and suggestions for our work together in the year to come.

In partnership,

Laila

Laila Bernstein, MSW, MPP
Director of Data and Evaluation
Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness
Executive Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor

United Way of Pioneer Valley Releases Community Impact Basic Needs RFP

Pamela Schwartz — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:13:41 +0000

Community Impact Basic Needs
Grant Program

United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) is releasing a Request for Proposals for its Community Impact Basic Needs Grant program.

Letter of Intent
Interested organizations are required to submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by July 13, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

Information Sessions
An Information session will be held at United Way’s office located at 1441 Main Street, Suite 147, Springfield, MA on June 8, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Please register by sending an email to Lori Murphy. Questions submitted in advance of the session are encouraged. Please send questions to grants@uwpv.org

For more information, visit our website.

Related Information

Link to RFP

Link to Letter of Intent
(online form)

Send questions to:
grants@uwpv.org

Please Share This Information

UWPV is interested in having this opportunity be as broadly announced as possible. Please share with colleagues or any email lists that are pertinent.

Thank you.

Correction on EFSP funding blog post

Pamela Schwartz — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:40:13 +0000

In yesterday’s blog post regarding EFPS funding through United Way of Hampshire County, I mistakenly introduced the post as coming from United Way of Pioneer Valley. My apologies!

If you would like to review yesterday’s post from United Way of Hampshire County, please click here.

As to EFSP funding through United Way of Pioneer Valley, applications are available on their website at http://www.uwpv.org/index.php?id=515 There is no deadline at this time.

Thank you!

SAMHSA Community Consortium Meeting Minutes – 5/21/12

Pamela Schwartz — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:37:44 +0000

Community Consortium Meeting - May 21, 2012

In attendance: Brian Bickford, CHL, Steve Como, Soldier On, Tracey Greenfield, BHN, Robert Guerino, Mass Health, Jay Levy, Eliot CHS-Homeless Services, Andrea Miller, network data analyst, Dave Modzelewski, MHA, Jennifer Moore, BHN, Leon Sawh, UMass, Pamela Schwartz, network coordinator, Julianne Siegfried, Jennifer Wuest, BHN, UMass, Heather Zaykowski, UMass, Chris Zabik, DMH

Project Updates:

CHL: case manager hiring complete, new hire as of 6/5. 8 are housed (had been 10, 2 incarcerated).

Soldier On has screened 23 people, all eligible, 5 housed.

Mission West: new hire for case manager. Boudoin St. pushed back to July 1. 10 housed.

New network data analyst:
Andrea Miller has begun with the network to conduct a network analysis. Phone meeting tomorrow with David Smelson and Julianne to revisit and confirm expectations.

More VA housing vouchers:
Steve Como announced that the VA is distributing 50 more HUD VASH vouchers. Because VA case managers are overwhelmed by housing search demands, it agreed to allow Soldier On case manage housing search for 5 more veterans. Soldier On will be able to exceed grant requirement to house 10 veterans this year. All agreed that housing more sooner is better (people housed this year will go towards overall 3 year goal). Unclear if/what consequences are re: reimbursement for Soldier On. Pamela will discuss separately with Steve and others and follow-up with group at next consortium meeting.

Demographics review – Heather talked the group through the demographics materials. Group thanks to Heather for the information. Jennifer W. raised question of whether there is a correlation between the individuals’ reporting on a lessening of their mental health issues and living in a transitional housing situation. Heather said she can look into that.

Next meeting: Monday, 6/25, 11 am, Child Guidance Clinic, 110 Maple Street, Springfield

Unaccompanied Youth Meeting Minutes – 5/17; Next meeting 6/12

Pamela Schwartz — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:35:19 +0000

Please see below the minutes of our meeting last Thursday, May 17. For our next meeting, we agreed to invite other programs to share information with us about their innovations (both with and without resources) in working with this population. Thanks to Sarah Slautterback’s outreach, Maurie Bergeron of the Compass project in Worcester, and Jill St. Martin of Father Bill’s/Mainspring will be joining us to share information and outcomes from their programs with unaccompanied youth. Thanks to Cindy Rodalakis of the Chicopee Public Schools for facilitating a new meeting location that offers greater ease for our Worcester guest. We are meeting on:

Tuesday, June 12
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Chicopee Schools Administration Building
Oval Room, 2nd floor
180 Broadway Street, Chicopee

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Working Group Meeting Minutes: May 17, 2012

In attendance: Sean Barry, Dept. of Mental Health, Shannon Barry, Springfield Public Schools, Marge Barrett-Mills, Hampshire County Friends of the Homeless, Lorrie Bobe, Dept. of Youth Services, Paul Fitzsimmons, Dept. of Children and Families, Lisa Goldmsith, DialSELF, Kelly Groves, North Adams Public Schools, Kim Majewski, Gandara Center, Jordana O’Connell, Holyoke Public Schools, Cindy Rodalakis, Chicopee Schools, Jean Rogers, Center for Human Development, Pamela Schwartz, network coordinator, Sarah Slautterback, Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education,

Senate Budget update:
House budget included language to create special commission to study homeless youth population. Senate budget did not include the language. Senator Clark will be submitting an amendment.

For schools, House budget had funding for school transportation ($11.3 million). Senate does not.

Network funding not included in Senate budget.

Mass. Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) funded at $5 million less than House budget.

Advocacy needs to be IMMEDIATE (today). All amendments filed by Friday. Call your Senator!

Lorrie Bobe, Division of Youth Services:
Juvenile justice agency – youth get involved on involuntary basis (youth who have committed crimes). Youngest age is 12, average age is 16, up to age 21. When kids approach age of 18, must be released. Youth have option to voluntarily sign up (“assent of ward”) for services with department. Right now 15 youth enrolled as such. Then DYS can place them in housing, e.g., housing with CHD ( 14 “independent living” beds, primarily in Springfield) or foster care or provide social services. 250 kids committed in Western Ma. 3 district offices in Springfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield; satellite office in Chicopee, space in Greenfield. 21 staff in area.

Intersects with DCF, DMH, as needed. At DCF, several hundred involved post 18. Triple the numbers as compared to last few years. Numbers also up at DYS. More taking advantage of post-18 services.

Only way to get services post 18 is if you already involved in the system. For those 18 year olds who are not in system, nothing to offer.

Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education survey shows between 700-800 unaccompanied homeless youth, but so many more who don’t identify because worried they will be picked up by DCF – protecting adults and siblings, fear of the system.

School liaisons experience the paradox of encouraging students to come forward and then have no resources to help them. Schools are in a bind. We need to bring state agencies and partners together around the table to better serve this population.

Other groups emerging on this issue – Worcester (Compass program – 5 year grant, focus on prevention, family mediation, how to shelter young people who are homeless, how to connect agencies who are already offering services); Metro-West – interested in working with 18-22 year old range. South Shore coming together for almost 2 years – resulting in youth protocol at a shelter; collaboration between shelters and schools. South Coast just received a grant and will create housing for 18-22 year old. Aging-out Task Force opened up housing for 18-22 year old men in Roxbury.

Update on ICCH Advisory Group on Unaccompanied Youth

2 sub-committees, each charged with different mission:

Define “youth homelessness.”
Count “homeless youth”

Both groups meeting in June. Lt. Gov has charged with Advisory Group with these goals, theoretically to infuse commission with information in September, when they would get started (if funded).

Report from North Adams school liaison: biggest challenge is that youth have no income, no financial resources – working with DTA, Berkshire Works, and other agencies, along with families. North Adams has a higher number of unaccompanied youth than other communities. Kelly’s position is grant funded to do case management (in support of homeless liaison).

Next steps:

Learn from other programs, their innovations with few resources. Sarah S will reach out to Father Bill’s and Compass Project and explore possibility of info exchange. Also consider integrating employment piece, e.g., BCAC has a program; Career Point has a teen room.

Adult criminal justice system – consider bringing the sheriff’s into this conversation since they face 18-22 year olds.

6/12 am, 6/14 2 pm next possible dates, Cindy (Chicopee school liaison) will check Chicopee space and get back to Pamela.

Network Funding Amendment Filed – Call Your Senator Now!

Pamela Schwartz — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:04:33 +0000

Senator Thomas Kennedy of Brockton filed an amendment to restore the network funding line item at the $1 million level in the Senate budget. Our own Senator Stan Rosenberg has agreed to co-sponsor this amendment.

If you are a constituent of Senator Rosenberg, please contact him (information below) to thank him for his support. If you are a constituent of another, please contact him or her and urge them to support Amendment #670 to provide $1 million funding for networks statewide. Share your own experience of the Network’s value. They need to hear from you immediately! Thank you!

Senator Contact Information:

Senator Gale Candaras, 617-722-1291, 413-599–4785, Gale.Candaras@masenate.govGale
Senator Ben Downing, 617-722-1625, 413-442-4008 Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov

Senator Michael Knapik, 617-722-1415, 413-562-6454, Michael.Knapik@masenate.gov
Senator Stan Rossenberg, 617-722-1532, 413-584-1649, Stan.Rosenberg@masenate.gov
Senator Jim Welch, 617-722-1660, James.Welch@masenate.gov

EFSP funding application available now

Pamela Schwartz — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:57:33 +0000

An Announcement from the United Way of Hampshire County:

Local agencies that provide emergency food and shelter are invited to apply for funding under the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), a public/private partnership that distributes federal funds to local organizations. In 2011, approximately $17,000 in federal funding was distributed to ten agencies in Hampshire County.

Hampshire County funding levels for the current EFSP phase are unknown at this time. Overall, program funding levels for our region are expected to be similar to last year and awards will be delayed pending final budget approval in Washington. Due to the limited funding available, please be aware that agencies meeting all of the application criteria may not receive their funding request. However, agencies should apply for the full amount of funds that they can prudently and legitimately expend within the EFSP program guidelines. Awarded funds must be used between April 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

Applications must be received at the United Way of Hampshire County offices no later than 4:00pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. For eligibility guidelines and an application, please contact Victoria at 413-584-3962 or at info@unitedwayhampshirecounty.org. Thank you.”

Network Not Funded in Senate Budget; Other Budget News and Action

Pamela Schwartz — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:58:01 +0000

The Senate Ways and Means Committee released its FY13 budget on Wednesday, May 17. The Governor’s proposal to fund the regional networks at $1 million is not in their budget (nor is it in the House). The only remaining hope is a senator’s sponsorship of an amendment, which at this point to the best of my knowledge (and advocacy) is not happening (and deadline for amendments is today). When you call your Senator to weigh in about the budget as a whole, please include the call for an amendment to include Governor’s House 2 Budget Line item 7004-0109 for $1 million in network funding.

I am also copying below a “Dear Senator” letter from Sean Caron of CHAPA that provides an excellent model for your advocacy over the next week. He welcomes your adaptation for our collective advocacy purposes.

Please call your Senator ASAP. Phone numbers are below the letter.

Senator,

We appreciate the thoughtful approach included in the Senate Ways and Means budget and thank the Committee members and staff for their support.

Despite some notable investments, the Ways and Means proposal funds a handful of affordable housing and community development programs at levels that are lower than House Two and the House budgets. Please cosponsor the following amendments that increase funding for programs that support affordable housing and strong communities for working families and seniors.

Senator Pat Jehlen will be filing an amendment to increase Mass. Rental Voucher Program funding (7004-9024) to the amount included in the House budget and Governor’s budget proposal. This amendment will allow an additional 400-450 working families, fixed-income seniors and persons with disabilities to afford the high cost of housing. Please contact Heather Mills to sign on and support $46 million for MRVP.

Senator Jamie Eldridge will be filing an amendment to restore funding for Public Housing Operating Subsidies (7004-9005) to the Governor’s budget proposal of $66.5 million. Public housing remains a critical resource for 47,000 Massachusetts households, 2/3 of which are comprised of seniors or persons with disabilities. Please contact Melissa Garlick to sign on.

Senator Cynthia Stone Creem will be filing an amendment to stabilize the Community Preservation Act and bolster the state CPA match. Please contact Catherine Anderson to sign on.

Senator Michael Moore will be filing an amendment to provide $9 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to rehabilitate foreclosed and abandoned properties and eliminate neighborhood blight. The distressed properties that have propped up throughout the foreclosure crisis are dragging down property values and reeking havoc on community stability. Please contact Julie DelSobral to sign on.

Senator Eldridge will also be filing an amendment to fund Home and Healthy for Good (7004-0104) at $2.2 million, consistent with the Governor’s budget proposal. This program enables chronically homeless individuals to secure stable, affordable housing.

Senator Sal DiDomenico and Senator Dan Wolf will be filing technical language amendments to HomeBase (7004-0108) and RAFT (7004-9316) to address small but important issues that may hinder the program’s ability to effectively serve the lowest income families. Please contact Christie Getto Young in Senator DiDomenico’s office to sign on to the HomeBase amendment and Kaitlin Lynch in Senator Wolf’s office to sign on to the RAFT amendment.
Senator Katherine Clark will be filing an amendment to create a Commission to explore how to effectively serve unaccompanied homeless youth with housing and services. The Commission is also included in the House budget. Cosponsors can contact Paul in her office.

Thank you for supporting affordable housing by signing on to these and other critical affordable housing and homelessness prevention amendments. A decent, affordable home is the cornerstone of a productive and healthy life and these amendments will help make that dream possible for residents across the Commonwealth. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Sean Caron

Sean Caron, Esq.
Director of Public Policy
CHAPA

Senator Contact Information

Senator Candaras, 617-722-1290, 413-599-4685 Gale.Candaras@masenate.gov

Senator Ben Downing, 617-722-1625, 413-442-4008 ( Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov

Senator Michael Knapike, 617-722-1415, 413-562-6454, Michael.Knapik@masenate.gov

Senator Stan Rossenberg, 617-722-1532, 413-584-1649, Stan.Rosenberg@masenate.gov

Senator Jim Welch, 617-722-1660, James.Welch@masenate.gov

Housing Authority Collaboration Meeting Date Change: Monday, 6/18/12

Pamela Schwartz — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:49:29 +0000

Dear Network Community:

We just learned that our original follow-up meeting date of June 14 conflicts with an annual event for regional housing authorities statewide, which would prevent our 3 regional housing authorities from attending our gathering. To maximize our collective participation and our results, we have rescheduled our next meeting to:

Monday, June 18
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Picknelly Dining Room
The Frost Building, Room 265 (2nd floor of the main administration building)
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA

Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the building or in visitors parking in Lots K or L. Upon entry into the campus off of Homestead Avenue, go left and continue past the Kittredge Center lots until you see signs for Frost and the parking lots.

Please contact Pamela Schwartz at pschwartz77@gmail.com if you plan to attend. A more detailed agenda will follow as we get closer to the date. I look forward to seeing you there!

Pamela Schwartz, Director
Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness
413-219-5658
http://westernmasshousingfirst.org

Community Engagement Committee Meeting Minutes – 5/7/12

Pamela Schwartz — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:46:25 +0000

Community Engagement Meeting Minutes: May 7, 2012

In attendance: Father Stan Aksamit, Michael DeChiara, Andrew Morehouse, Pamela Schwartz, Lynne Wallace

Leadership Council debrief:

Agreed to shift from 3 to 2 hour meeting to allow for cleaner finish.

Review of LC discussion:

Agreed on good energy level, good facilitation to help bring people to focus. Agreed Sean Caron did a good job, very engaging; on jobs action plan discussion, good discussion but acknowledged challenge of maintaining sharp focus.

Discussed we whether we should consider more targeted meetings for LC members around topics of interest, but then agreed that the meeting load demand is already high enough.

Housing Authority Meeting debrief:

Provided update on success of meeting. Discussed next meeting for 6/14 (although may revisit date in view of conflict with regional housing authorities).

Jobs Action Plan follow-up:

Funding opportunities: Dave Christopolis follow-up (Lynne and I scheduled for 5/25).

Agreed that in order to maintain clear lines of decision-making and action, follow-up belongs with Jobs Action Plan Steering Committee. Pamela will follow-up to schedule debrief of LC discussion with them.

Noted Social Finance Bond opportunities – agreed this is an exciting direction and we should be prepared to seize the opportunity next time it strikes.

Legislative Advocacy:

Update that our advocacy for this budget is in process (meeting with Senator Rosenberg later this morning) along with continued communication with our legislative delegation.

Website:

Agreed that we need to convert our blog into a website. Michael generously offered his technical expertise to make that possible (using our current blog server, WordPress). Pamela will be in touch with Michael to consult further.

Agreed the committee’s next meeting agenda should focus on review of the website and the communication plan in general.

Next possible meeting dates: Monday, June 18, 9 am or Tuesday, June 19, 10 am. Will survey committee and follow-up to confirm.