Providing solutions to end homelessness in Texas communities through education, resources and advocacy We provide support to agencies and communities that build systems to end homelessness. 2015 Kansas Statewide Summit on Homelessness Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC) • • • • • • • • • • Agenda Introduction & History THN’s Role in Texas History of TX BoS CoC Program Accomplishments CoC Governance, Structure, and Communication Staff Structure Coordinated Access PIT Housing First Reallocation THN Introduction and History • THN est. in 1991 – 1992: Agency to do work of Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless (TICH) – 1994: Coalition Builder – 1996: Training and Technical Assistance Provider – 2006: Balance of State CoC lead THN Role in Texas How the TX BoS CoC was formed • By the early 2000s most of Texas joined the CoC party • The six major metropolitan areas flourished • Mid-size metropolitan saw little return on social capital • Rural areas largely went unfunded • HUD implored THN to unite uncovered regions Texas’ CoC Outlook in early 2000s TX CoC Coverage 2015 Program Accomplishments TX BoS CoC Governance Structure TX BoS Membership and Communication Structure General Membership Meeting Participants CoC lead Staff • Ten team members in 2015 • TX BoS CoC Lead Department currently operates in two divisions: Director of CoC Programs CoC Planning and Operations: HMIS: CoC Manager HMIS Project Manager Data Coordinator HMIS Data Analyst Coordinated Access Specialist HMIS Support Team (2) CoC administrative Support Team (2) A new approach to staff Roles & Responsibilities? One team operating by Functions: • Planning • Data • Performance • CoC Governance • Communications and Training Internal Evaluation of processes The team is examining each CoC lead task/function to determine where responsibilities overlap in order to: A.Operate more efficiently B.Group team under function categories Coordinated Assessment in the TX BoS CoC • The TX BoS CoC uses term “Coordinated Access” • Implementation underway in 7 communities • Project success largely dependent on local communities • Coordinated Access Transition Teams (CATT) formed in each community as lead entity Coordinated Access starts with System Change Current System: “Should we accept this household into our program?” Future System: “What housing /service assistance is best for each household and quickly ends their housing crisis permanently?” Program-Centric Unique forms and assessment processes to each organization Does not necessarily ensure match between need and service received Uneven knowledge about available housing and service interventions in the CoC Client-Centric and System Driven Standard forms and assessment processes used by every program for every client Coordinated referral process across the CoC Accessible information about available housing and service interventions in the CoC Collection of meaningful data Access • A few entry points selected by CATTs • 2-1-1 Assess • Intake and Assessment in HMIS • Focus on Diversion and Prevention Assign • Eligibility and Referral process completed in HMIS Accountability • CAN oversees local process • THN oversees BoS Implementation Guiding Question for Coordinated Access Guiding Question: Core Principles: “What housing and service assistance strategy is best for each household of the several services available?” Standardized Access and Assessment Access Assess Coordinated Referral Assign TX BoS CoC Point-in-Time Count • 30 communities – Local coordination but consistent method & documentation • Data collection – Paper surveys, mobile app • Data entry – Local control, online survey tool used • Data Analysis – Community reports, TX BoS CoC report Approach to Housing First • The TX BoS CoC lags far behind on Hsg 1st Iniaitive • The TX BoS CoC is in the education phase in regard to Housing First – Despite misconceptions there are Rules under Housing First – Implementation of one true Housing First project to show the success and then others will follow Reallocation • TX BoS CoC history with reallocation • Current method – Provider choice, competition for reallocated funds limited • Plans for future – Less carrot, more stick Contact Information & Resources Director or Continuum of Care Programs Eric Samuels [email protected] Phone: 512-687-5105 Cell: 512-921-2570 www.thn.org BoSers: (working group of BoS CoC Leads)
© Copyright 2024