Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Committee Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2018
August 8, 2018
In attendance: Emily English, Gandara Center, Rosemary Fielder, HCC, Sharon Hall-Smith, Gandara Center, Ann Lentini, Domus, Inc., Gerry McCafferty, City of Springfield, Rylee O’Brien, Baystate General Pediatrics, Lizzy Ortiz, Mercy Medical, Mena Regan, CHD, Denise Rivera, FOH/CSO, Jean Rogers, CHD, Martha Sandoval, Baystate General Pediatrics, Pamela Schwartz, Network , Julie Vital, Baystate General Pediatrics
State Youth RFR:
The FY19 State Budget includes $3.3 million in funding for youth homelessness services (triumphant!). The RFR has already been issued to fund 10 regions across the state, including Hampden County and the Three County region. The aim is to build an infrastructure for youth homelessness services that will hopefully grow over the coming years. The state is providing 2 year contracts (funding allocated for the first year only) and plans to make the contracts renewable for up to 8 years, clearly indicating the evolving nature of this project.
Certain core services must be provided, e.g.,outreach, prevention, rapid re-housing, stabilization, and winter shelter that is separate from the adult system. Funding for each region will range from $250,000 to $320,000.
4 regions (not including Western MA) will be eligible for additional funding to support partnerships with local state colleges for available housing. There is potential for growth in this area as well.
Responses are due to the state on Sept. 10. For the Three County region, Community Action will be the lead applicant, working with DIAL/SELF and Berkshire Regional Housing Authority. For Hampden County, the Hampden County CoC will be the lead applicant. Because this CoC is based in the City of Springfield, the CoC has issued an RFP for partners interested in participating in this project which is due on 8/29. For more information, go to: 19-025 Homeless Youth Services and 19-025 Addendum No. 1
MANY Call on coordinated entry: This is part of a series of calls to share best practices and network among youth providers across the country. This call focused on coordinated entry. Hampden County has launched its coordinated entry process with youth, meeting monthly to review data on youth – assessment status, etc. – and housing options. The goal is to establish a clear process for determining highest priority and allocating resources on that basis.
The take-away message from this call is to focus on HOUSING; that every day a young person is homeless increases the chances of staying homeless for longer.
Coordinated entry training for youth committee and other providers: We all recognized the need for a broader coordinated entry training and discussion in our region. Gerry agreed to offer this to youth providers later in Sept. or early October.
Youth Data Update: Please click here for Hampden County data on youth and here for both Hampden and Three county data . This will be utilized in our upcoming grant applications. We agreed we would meet as needed in late Aug/early Sept. to support the grant writing process.
FY19 Budget Update – Highlights include (in addition to $3.3m for youth!):
- RAFT funded at $20m (including at least $3m for individuals)
- HomeBASE benefit increased from $8,000 to $10,000
- The Network received its earmark of $125,000. The Steering Committee will be meeting at the end of August to discuss budget planning.
Next meeting date: Wednesday, 9/26, 9 am – 10:30 am, Kittredge Center, Room 303, HCC
