The Hampden County Triage Planning Group met on June 1. Participants included: Jane Banks, CHD, Karen Cavanaugh, WomanShelter, Martha Ceplikas, DHCD, Gerry McCafferty, City of Springfield, Donna Nadeau, DHCD, Jim Reis, HAP, Tom Salter, NEFWC, Pamela Schwartz, Network, Janette Vigo, YWCA
We agreed we needed to continue to work on two tracks: (1) diversion/prevention at the DTA/DHCD offices, particularly Liberty Street in Springfield; and (2) local control over shelter placement, possibly via the local DHCD office with provider support. The latter question depends on resources to support the administration of local control, a question to be considered with high-level DHCD input. Ita Mullarkey of DHCD has offered her assistance and input at our next two meetings:
Thursday, June 24, 10 am, presumably Holyoke DTA office but location will be confirmed.
This meeting will focus exclusively on the potential shift to local control over shelter placement and the costs and responsibilities involved.
Tuesday, June 29, 10 am, Liberty Street DTA office.
This meeting will focus on diversion/prevention efforts at the Springfield DTA office. This will include DHCD front-line and supervisory staff, DCF front-line supervisory staff and staff of New England Farm Workers Council, HAP and any other interested housing provider.
We look forward to continuing these important conversations.
