Individual Services Meeting
January 5, 2016
In attendance: Beth Barbra, Veterans Inc., Nichole Bodiford, Friends of the Homeless, John Fisher, HAPHousing, Courtnee Godbolt, Friends of the Homeless, John Hornik, Amherst Housing and Shelter Committee, Janice Humason, Friends of the Homeless, Charlie Knight, SCARF/Rainville, Jade Levitt, Craig’s Doors, Terry Maxey, SMOC/Open Door, Bill Miller, Friends of the Homeless, Digno Ortiz, Friends of the Homeless, Luz Ortiz, Friends of the Homeless, Christina Ruest, Friends of the Homeless, Joe Schroeter, Eliot Services, Pamela Schwartz, Network, Dennis Sheehan, Friends of the Homeless, Stephanie Tonelli, Friends of the Homeless, Rachel Weiss, Craig’s Doors, Delphine Wray, Friends of the Homeless
Three County CoC Update:
Dave Christopolis provided by email this update: The CoC is moving into the coordinated entry model this year which will begin incorporating chronically homeless people into the assessment and case conferencing process. The Coordinated Entry committee will meet next on Jan. 12. Rebekah Wilder of Craig’s Doors is the committee chair. TAC will also provide TA. Sometime in January HUD will release coordinated entry guidance which will be useful.
Craig’s Doors update: With state funding now secured, the shelter is able to end its “triage mode” of planning for the worst and now focus on stability and maximizing its space and resources. Shelter capacity is full and an anecdotal estimate suggests at least one woman and 2 or 3 men each night must be turned away. With stable funding, they will now also focus again on expanding shelter capacity for women.
Creating a monthly meeting data template: The group decided it would be useful to create a monthly template for shelters across the region to use so we can have a global view of our regional shelter capacity and a better understanding of the people who are relying on it. The group agreed at minimum on four indicators:
- Capacity – specifically how many turned away
- Gender
- Age
- Place of origin
The group debated whether to pick a given night to draw this data or to create a monthly overview draw or some combination of both. Pamela will follow-up with a small group to decide these questions, which will include: Janice Humanson, Christina Ruest and Jade Lovett. Pamela will reach out to ServiceNet (Katie Miernecki) and Samaratin Inn (Jenn Lucca) to include them as well.
Hampden County CoC Update:
Dave Modzelewski and Janice Humason reported on its bi-weekly REACH meeting where case conferencing on a by-name list of homeless individuals is taking place. At the last meeting earlier this week, it was noted that roughly 6 people had been housed. There was also discussion about the analysis of time and energy spent on particular individuals who are unwilling/unable to be housed and the fact that there are currently some available units that are not filled due to these kinds of barriers. Janice noted the recent hire of two new housing navigators (welcome to Stephanie and Digno!) who will be able to offer additional support in this effort.
Friends of the Homeless shelter update: at capacity. As always.
Landlord outreach sub-committee meeting: Pamela noted that initial efforts to schedule were not successful (not enough people could agree on the offered dates). She will try again looking further out. Interested participants include: John Fisher, Joe Schroeter, Charlie Knight and Pamela will loop in Janice Humason to see if it works for her or an FOH staff person to join.
Network funding update: Pamela reported that in view of the Governor’s 9C budget cut, the Network will not have state funding this year, which means current funding will run out by March 1. The Network Leadership Council will meet on Feb. 9 to discuss possible alternatives such as partnership contributions. Pamela will keep everyone posted.
Announcements: John Fisher announced the New England Fair Housing Conference, April 6-7. A great speaker line-up. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for further information.
Next meeting date: Thursday, 2/2, 9:30-11 am, Northampton Senior Center (to be confirmed)
