Family Services Committee Meeting Minutes
7/12/17
In attendance: Jesus Arce, City of Springfield, Jane Banks, CHD, Shelly Benoit, BHN, Yoshi Bird, YWCA, Joel Cox, PFC/NEFWC, Anthia Elliott, Safe Passage, Holly Florek, CHD, Jane Lindfors, DTA-DV unit, Luis Martinez, CHD, Donna Nadeau, DHCD, Katherine Oquendo, PFC/NEFWC, Jenni Pothier, TPP, Yarelles Rivera, PFC/NEFWC, Pamela Schwartz, Network, TJ Steele, Springfield Partners, Janna Tetreault, Community Action, Luz Vega, WomanShelter, Janette Vigo, Way Finders, Lauren Voyer, Way Finders
FY18 Budget Update:
The group reviewed the Conference Committee budget outcomes (click here for a breakdown in relation to Network priorities). The outcomes are mixed, e.g., big loss on youth funding and Secure Jobs; some gains on RAFT and TPP. The Governor is now within his 10 day period to decide any vetoes. Pamela will keep the group posted.
Family homelessness data update:
Pamela shared some of the data from the monthly DHCD reports required by the legislature. Click here for more information.
Donna shared that Western and Central MA (her region) re-housed 82 families in the month of June alone, a fantastic accomplishment and the highest in the state. Reasons named for this success include: great case managers, housing staff, effective use of DHCD’s Strategic Housing funds, and great relationships with landlords. It was also noted that Eastern MA poses the additional challenge of higher housing costs (and many units in need of repair at the Boston Housing Authority).
Jane Banks pointed out that while it’s a great effort, there is still much progress to be made as area agencies are at roughly 70-75% of their re-housing goal for this fiscal year. The hope is to apply lessons learned in the diversion effort to the re-housing effort to increase success even more.
An exciting new hire of one of our own at DHCD!
Jane Banks, after 19 years at CHD, has accepted a position as the new Assistant Undersecretary for the Division of Housing Stabilization. Congratulations to Jane and to all of us in Western MA (and the Commonwealth!). Jane shared a few thoughts about her incoming position, including the imminent focus on planning for the re-procurement of both the family and individual shelter system that is on deck for FY19. Coordination and collaboration will feature prominently in the application process, as well as measurable goals. Additionally, workforce development – how to help families reach a livable wage – will also be an area of focus.
This conversation was the segue into our next topic, which is:
Committee workplan/goals for FY18
The group agreed that using the Committee as a sounding board for the re-procurement process would be very useful. Specifically, we discussed starting now to work on creating measurable goals that capture cross-system outcomes development. Even more specifically, this goal was discussed in relation to the desire to create more efficient and effective collaboration between the DV and EA system and to quantify what that would look like.
We agreed to convene a sub-committee to begin planning for this work. Pamela will follow-up with: Yoshi Bird, Jane Lindfors, Holly Florek, Anthia Elliot and we will report back at our next meeting.
Next meeting date:
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 9:30-11 am, Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
Announcement: BHN’s Project FIT is open for referrals. It provides wrap-around support services to families in housing crisis who have a behavioral health need. Please click here for overview information and here for the referral form.
