Monthly Members Meeting

February 27th, 2024

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Agenda

Welcome!

Homelessness In The News

Kate Santich, Homeless Services Network

HOMELESSNESS in the NEWS: February 2024

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW…

HB 1365: Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping� �It will:

• Prohibit a city or county from allowing anyone to “regularly” camp or sleep on public property, including public right-of-ways unless the county designates property for such purposes. The bill authorizes a local government, by majority vote of its governing body, to designate property it owns to be used for public camping or sleeping for up to one year. 
• Prohibit any designated site from having an adverse effect on property values or safety of surrounding residences or businesses.
• The designation is contingent on certification by the Department of Children and Families, and it must have 24-hour security, procedures for sanitation, clean and fully operational bathrooms with running water, and coordination with mental health and substance abuse services.
• Illegal drugs and alcohol use would be prohibited.

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• The bill authorizes DCF to inspect the designated property at any time and close it if requirements aren’t being met.
• Private citizens, businesses and the Florida attorney general can sue the city or county – and recover “reasonable” expenses – if the local government allows people to continue to “camp” on public property.
• Legislative staff have reported the bill “may” have a negative fiscal impact on a local government that chooses to designate property for a camp.
• The bill would take effect October 1. 
• The Legislature has not provided for any additional funding at this point to operate such camps.

CONCERNS:

• Gov. DeSantis supports this bill. But he has said he doubts any local government will be willing/able to meet the requirements for designated camping locations.
• Counties and cities may arrest people who are unsheltered to avoid being sued.
• The Florida Housing Coalition estimates that operating a sanctioned camping site would cost nearly $24k per person per year. That would be over $10m in Orange, $2.2m in Osceola and $1.7m in Seminole.
• At that rate, the CoC could provide permanent supportive housing.

CONCERNS, continued:

• Loss of federal funding under NOFO scoring guidelines
• Further penalizing and criminalization of people experiencing homelessness.
• If passed, the state law would supersede any local ordinances and could conflict with a federal ruling on whether it’s unconstitutional to arrest people for living on the streets if there is no space available in local homeless shelters.

Speaking of which:

• In April, the United States Supreme Court will hear the Johnson v. Grants Pass case. This is the most significant Supreme Court case about homelessness criminalization and the rights of homeless people in decades. At its core, this case will decide whether cities can punish people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options. Go to https://homelesslaw.org/ for updates and to find out ways to advocate.

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Update: Coalition for the Homeless men’s shelter fire and water damage

• Reopening will take longer than first projected. Estimates are now that it will be at least another two and a half weeks before the 237 men displaced will be able to return.
• The shelter’s kitchen – where food for the entire campus is prepared – and linen storage were also damaged.
• The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The National PIT Count

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in January [finally!] released its 2023 Point-in-Time Estimates, which found more than 650,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023, a 12% increase from 2022. 
• In Florida, there were nearly 31,000 people experiencing homelessness, a 9% increase over five years ago. Approximately 50 percent of the  people were unsheltered.

SOME GOOD NEWS…

• The city of Orlando recently gave the OK for $6 million in funding to renovate the Christian Service Center, adding indoor showers, mailboxes, laundry, charging stations and a long-sought comprehensive day center.
• The renovation taps $4 million from the city’s Accelerate Orlando account and about $1.1 million from the Community Redevelopment Agency, a special taxing district downtown. The CRA also would cover $900,000 in operating costs over three years, officials said.
• Note: This was awarded before the anti-camping legislation was introduced.

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Introduction to CoC & HUD Funding

Martha Are, Homeless Services Network

Introduction to CoC & HUD Funding

Workshop for Prospective First Time Applicants

What You’ll Learn

• HSN’s role in the application process
• Who are eligible program participants
• What funds can be used for
• What funds cannot be used for
• What is involved in the application process
• What is involved if you were successful in the local application process
• Potential timeline for applications

When

• Tuesday, March 12
• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

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• Thursday, May 21
• 10:00 – 11:30 AM

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• Email application@hsncfl.org to register

Point-In-Time Count Review

Rashad Haynes &

Victoria Corcino, Homeless Services Network

Red Cross – Free Services and Opportunity for Collaboration

Mentha Antoine, Red Cross

Agenda

Mentha Antoine

Disaster Program Manager

Greater Orlando Chapter

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American Red Cross

Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands

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Mobile 407.388.8253 Mentha.Antoine@redcross.org

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Red Cross Mission and Delivery

Fundamental Principles

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Our Geography

Our Work

Exploring Potential Collaborations

Disaster Action Teams

What is a Disaster Action Team?

Disaster Action Teams are composed of volunteers trained to offer immediate disaster services with compassion, comfort, and care to individuals and families, and canteen services for emergency workers.

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What Services does DAT Provide?

Disaster Action Teams provide 24/7/365 days a year disaster assistance for clients' immediate needs so that clients can concentrate on getting temporary accommodations, while Red Cross supports and helps them focus own their recovery process. 

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When I can Request DAT?

• DAT can be deployed to the following emergencies and disaster:

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• Transportation incidents (unusual or large events)
• SFF/MFF
• Floods/Tornados
• Wildfires

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How are DAT Services Requested?

• Red Cross receives disaster notification/request for services from:

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AMERICAN RED CROSS DISASTER DISPATCH

833-583-3111

What is Direct Client Assistance?

• A mean of financial assistance provided based upon the initial DA information,
• Assistance is issued using a:

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• Client Assistance Card,
• Electronic Funds Transfer

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Important Points to Remember

• All financial assistance is provided directly to clients.  Client decides how to use the assistance based on their needs
• Disaster Mental Health, Spiritual Care and Health Services assistance needs are reported and provided during the initial stages of a DAT response

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Notes, Potential Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities

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Client Casework

What is Disaster Client Casework?

Disaster client casework is executed by volunteers.

A caseworker is a volunteer who will follow-up, after DAT initial actions and will provide the client with guidance towards their individual recovery needs.

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What Services does Casework Provides?

Caseworker provides remote assistance for;

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• Supplemental assistance
• Internal and/or External Referrals and resources
• Recovery guidance

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Notes, Potential Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities

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Individual Disaster Care

What is Individual Disaster Care (IDC)?

Individual Disaster Care is also executed by Red Cross Volunteers.

IDC services includes Mental Health, Health Services and Spiritual Care for families affected by small/large disasters.

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Potential Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities

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Disaster Preparedness

What is Disaster Preparedness?

Disaster preparedness is also executed by Red Cross Volunteers.

Preparedness services includes fire preventive information and education, and smoke alarm installations.

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What Services are Provided?

Preparedness volunteers provide assistance for:

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• Emergency Preparedness�Training for Your Community
• Home Fire Campaign
• Partner direct program for Homes Made Safer smoke alarm appointments installation and fire safety educational related material

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Potential Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities

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Potential Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities - Continues

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Questions/ Comments / Would you like to Collaborate with Red Cross?

http://tinyurl.com/CEPFORMFY24

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United Against Poverty Member-Share Grocery Progam

Jaye Silvagnoli, United Against Poverty

United Against Poverty Member-Share Grocery Progam

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The Bail Project

Brenda Quinonez, The Bail Project

Orlando Team

Mission

The Bail Project (TBP) is a national nonprofit that pays bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. We provide an immediate lifeline to thousands of people each year while working to create a more just and equitable pretrial system. Through these efforts, we seek to transform pretrial justice, bringing us one step closer to ending mass incarceration and racial and economic disparities in the U.S. criminal legal system.

The Revolving Bail Fund

Tito Velez,

Bail Disruptor

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Brenda Quinonez, Operations Manager

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Tyler Enriquez,

Bail Disruptor

The Bail Project consists of a central support office and a growing, network of local teams, known as “Bail Disruptors,” who work with community partners to provide bail assistance in high-need jurisdictions. Bail Disruptors identify bail recipients, pay bails and support clients through the legal process, while the central support team manages the revolving fund, identifies new sites, and collects data and human stories to support existing efforts for meaningful reform.

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Connect

Pay Bail

Court

Reminders

Advocacy and Support

Stories and

Data

We work with public

defenders and community-based organizations to identify people in need of bail assistance. We also research jail websites to find people trapped by unaffordable cash bail.

After interviewing each client and determining eligibility, we pay their bail and develop a support strategy to ensure they can come back to court and engage with their legal process in a meaningful way.

We remind clients about their court dates and help problem solve when obstacles arise.

We connect clients to voluntary services and provide support, including transportation assistance, as needed.

We elevate our clients’ experiences through storytelling and collect data to support advocacy and foster public understanding of the need for reform.

Bail Assistance

Through our National Revolving Bail Fund, we have posted over

$58 million in bail assistance

We’ve bailed out over

24,384 individuals to date

Court Appearance Support

We’ve supported clients return to 72,291 court dates

Our clients have a court appearance rate of 92%

Community

Based Services

The most common service requests are for housing and mental health treatment needs

Fairer Case Outcomes

A staggering 36% of Bail Project clients have all their cases dismissed

92% of Bail Project clients do not serve any additional jail time

Statistics

43%

of our clients report a history of

substance abuse

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32%

of our clients report a history of

mental health needs

69%

of our clients are Black, Indigenous, or People of color

Things We Consider

1. Bond Amount: They have a bond set at 5k or below. (If you have a candidate with a bond above 5k, you can refer that person to us.
1. requires a slightly lengthier approval process to post bonds higher than 5k, but it is possible
2. We have a way of connecting with the client after release: We have their phone number or the phone number of a friend/family member.
3. Housing: Do they have somewhere to go?
4. FTAs: Will transportation and/or reminders keep this from happening?
5. No holds/warrants
6. High profile cases and allegations of intentional physical violence require additional information:
• Who is the complaining witness to the candidate?
• Is there a stay away order? (If they were living together then alternate housing will need to be arranged)
• Do they have previous intentional physical violence charges?

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Do you have any questions for us?

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Brighter Days Host Home RFA

Aja Hunter & Brian Postlewait, Homeless Services Network

Brighter Days Community Initiative

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CoC FL-507

Host Home RFA

2/27/24

Brighter Days:

Projects and Partners

Host Home Project

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Why a host home program?

A housing intervention which leans on the care of family and community members to provide a safe and loving home for someone in need of a safe and stable living environment.

Black, indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ communities have informally created host homes as a safety net to help folks avoid or exit homelessness.

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Host Homes Model Components

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• Youth-led and Youth-chosen
• Short-term (1 day -6 months)
• Affirming, safe space
• Collaborative Partnership: Well screened and well matched hosts
• Living Agreements
• Support of a caring case manager and program staff

https://www.pointsourceyouth.org/host-homes/

Benefits of host homes

• Safe, affirming space to stay.
• Allows youth to focus on school, work, and other goals.
• Mutually beneficial relationships that honor the needs of all involved.
• Cost effective, community-based way to address housing needs.

Making it work!

Host Home Frame Work

Application

Interview

Check in

Training

Match

(CE referrals)

Community Engagement

Host Stipends

Create an application and a background check process.

Create an interview process for the host, YYA, and for home visits.

Check in regularly with host, YYA, and Case Manager.

Develop comprehensive training for community, host, and YYA .

Facilitate matching process ensuring youth choice. (naturally occurring and program selected)

Raise community awareness and recruit Hosts and YYA.

Create sliding scale and administer funds to host.

Collaboration

McKinney Vento liaisons, Child Welfare, HSN, Case Managers, ect.

Data Collection & Evaluation

Collaborate with HSN to create the standards and process.

Projects for RFA - Host Homes & Other Housing Innovations

Counties Served:

• Osceola
• Seminole
• Orange

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How Many Subrecipients: 1

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Positions and Salaries: 2 FTEs

• Host Home Project Manager, 1 FTE
• Host Home Trainer/Coach, 1 FTE

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Projected Youth Served: 30-40

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Budget: $290,850.00

• Staff: $160,000
• Supportive Services: $117,000
• Admin: $13,850

Project Description

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Host Homes are one innovative housing solution for our community and will serve as a short term, alternative housing option for YYA between the ages of 16-24 who are:

• Hud Cat 1, 2, & 4
• Unaccompanied
• Unwilling or unable to access traditional shelters
• Enrolled in postsecondary education and need somewhere to stay during extended breaks.

The host home matching process will be facilitated by the contractor or subrecipient and honor YYA choice and voice throughout the process.

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Youth seeking host homes who are minors, pregnant or parenting, exiting foster care or LGBTQ+ will be prioritized for placement.

*The selected contractor or subrecipient will also be versed in other innovative housing solutions and educate/ train community members and partners in these solutions.

Applying for Funding

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for funding through this RFA, programs must meet or be prepared to meet the following requirements.

• Be located and/or able to provide services to youth and young adults who are experiencing houselessness in CoC FL- 507 geographic area (Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties)
• If awarded funding, agree to utilize any recommendations of the YHDP Committee, YAS, Sub-committees and HSN’s YHDP staff on program design, including assessment tools, and implementation
• Adhere to Housing First practices while serving households experiencing houselessness

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Housing First: Core Components

Housing First: Core Components

Housing

Choice

Recovery

Support

Community

Immediate access to housing with no readiness conditions

Participant Choice and self- determination

Recovery is possible for everyone

Individualized and person- centered supports

Social and community integration

Housing

Choice

Recovery

Support

Community

Immediate access to housing with no readiness conditions

Participant Choice and self- determination

Recovery is possible for everyone

Individualized and person- centered supports

Social and community integration

Minimum Requirements cont.

• Participate in, and accept, all new program participants referrals from the CoC FL- 507 Coordinated Entry System as outlined in the CES Policy and Procedures Manual
• Have a process to link YYA to certified mental health professionals
• Provide services or case management to support stable housing, permanent connections, education/employment, and social emotional well-being
• Have or define a process of establishing a Youth Advisory Board consisting of a minimum of 3 members, ages 16-24

Minimum Requirements cont.

• Incorporate all YHDP values and guiding principles outlined in this document and the CCP into programs being implemented
• Participate in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Provide Federal Certification regarding Debarment and Suspension Form
• Provide Federal Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Certification
• Proof of most recent financial statement
• Proof of outcome data (If in HMIS, we will pull the data. If not, you will need to provide your outcome data.)

RFA Timeline - Brian

• Application Announcements and Q&A: Feb 22, 2024
• RFA Released: Feb 22, 2024

*Scoring and Review timeframe: March 18th- 22nd

Q&A

RFA Interest Form

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*Please complete by Feb 29th*

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Links to all sites are located at:

linktr.ee/brighterdayscfl

Let us know how we did!

Contact Information:

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Aja Hunter, Youth Project Director

aja.hunter@hsncfl.org

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Brian Postlewait,

Chief Operating Officer

Brian.Postlewait@hsncfl.org

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Spotlight on Best Practices

Alissa Kraman, Supportive Housing Advisor

Ebony Tanner, Supportive Housing Coordinator

Pavia Quamina, Supportive Housing Coordinator

Core 4- Best Practices

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• Trauma Informed Care- Understanding the pervasive nature of trauma, recognizing the signs of trauma, and engaging in supportive practices that create safety and empowerment.
• Person-centered/Strengths focused - View people as unique and develop individualized interventions that identify and build on a person’s capabilities.
• Motivational Interviewing- An approach that emphasizes skills to tap into a person’s own motivation for change.
• Harm Reduction-Practical strategies aimed at reducing negative consequences of risky behaviors.

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SPOTLIGHT on Best Practices form

• Name of Nominee

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• Provider Agency (and nominee’s role)

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• Please share a story in which you observed a colleague commit to best practices. Please include which best practice(s) (e.g., harm reduction, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, participant-focused) you observed.

SPOTLIGHT

• We want to hear from you!
• Link to nominate:

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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMmtSO_aDhpv0MY8CFWUYiBIHajo7EIoJb6k9k-hRSHkV_Cg/viewform

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• First “Spotlight” will be shared during Feb CFCH meeting and on social media.

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Announcements!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

FREE NUTRITION CLASSES

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Next Meeting:

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Tuesday, March 26th, 2024

9 to 10:30 am

Location: Hybrid