Hampden County providers are preparing to implement a collaboration with the DTA/DHCD offices in Holyoke and Springfield, providing staff support at these state offices to assist with family homelessness prevention and diversion. This coordination is part of a statewide effort, which has already shown great results in Boston and Worcester. On-site provider staff assistance ensures quicker and easier access to the resources needed to prevent families from losing their homes or to divert them from shelter to viable alternative housing.
Providers participating in this joint effort include: Center for Human Development, HAPHousing, New England Farm Workers Council, Springfield Partners for Community Action and Valley Opportunity Council.
Trainings in both Holyoke and Springfield took place this week that brought together both DHCD workers and providers to review office protocol and available resources. The current staffing schedule that will begin the week of 11/23 is as follows:
Holyoke DTA/DHCD office, 10 am -3 pm
Monday – Center for Human Development
Wednesday – Valley Opportunity Council
Friday – New England Farm Workers’ Council
Springfield Liberty Street, DTA/DHCD office, 10 am -3 pm
Tuesday – HAPHousing
Wednesday – Springfield Partners for Community Action (to begin 12/2)
Thursdsay – Center for Human Development
Friday – HAPHousing
New England Farm Workers is in the process of hiring two additional case managers under its state HPRP diversion grant and upon hiring will provide staff in both offices from 9-5, 5 days a week. The rotation schedule will be revisited at that point.
Thanks to everyone involved for making this important collaboration possible.
