a seat at the table: homeless liaisons building collaborations on the federal, state and local...
TRANSCRIPT
A Seat at the Table:Homeless Liaisons Building Collaborations on the Federal, State and Local Levels.
26th NAEHCY Conference
Kansas City, Missouri
October 26, 2014
Why are we here?
Why are others interested?
The fastest growing group of homeless people is children under 9 years of age.
Current welfare (TANF) benefits are $282 a month for a woman with two children. Could you find an apartment to rent on $282 a month?
98 million children in the U.S. have no health insurance. Eight million of those children without health insurance live in working families.
40% - 60% of homeless people work.
46% of the jobs with the most growth between 1994 and 2005 pay less than $16,000 a year.
40% of homeless men are veterans.
The wealthiest nation on Earth has a wider gap between rich and poor than any other nation.
Atlanta is the poorest city in the U.S. for children - more children in Atlanta live in poverty than in any other city.
48% of all the children in Atlanta in poverty live in families with annual incomes of less than $15,000 a year.
Session Goals
I. Participants will gain an understanding of federal, state and local community based initiatives to enhance program objectives.
II. Participants will learn tools for engaging community stakeholders and creating a “seat at the table.”
III. Participants will gain insight on community partnerships that result in the educational and housing needs of students facing homelessness.
IV. Participants will learn to navigate the differences in McKinney-Vento definitions for education and housing agencies to better serve families.
Dedicating Opportunities to End Homelessness:Place – Based Strategies to Prevent and End Homelessness
Opening Doors – 2010 Obama Administration
First comprehensive federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness that calls for an alignment of federal, state, local, and private resources with four goals.
Goals of 2010 Opening Doors Plan
1. Finish the job of ending homelessness by 2015;
2. Prevent and end homelessness among veterans by 2015;
3. Prevent and end homelessness for families, youth and children by 2020; and
4. Set a path to ending all types of homelessness.
Opening Doors Strategies
End homelessness leveraging by leveraging collaborations:
1. Mainstream Housing
2. Health
3. Education
4. Human Services
Dedicating Opportunities to End Homelessness (DOEH) Cont.
Joint effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) – community based strategy development to better and maintain itself.
Ten Cities:
Atlanta, Chicago, Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix/Maricopa County, Seattle, and Tampa.
DOEH & McKinney Vento Themes
Awareness – DOEH Families and Children, Social Services and Public Affairs subcommittees.
Collaboration and Coordination of Services – DOEH collaborations gives access to federal, state and local resources needed.
DOEH – Agencies at the Table
• HUD & USICH & Veterans Affairs • Department of Community Affairs• Continuum of Care• County Government • Shelters• Transitional Housing Agencies• Faith Based/ Ministries • Law Centers for Homeless• Mental Health Divisions of Hospitals• Other Non Profit Agencies
Why is it important to develop community based partnerships?
Parents need multiple sources of support to help their children succeed in school and in their communities.
Research demonstrates that effective schools/education programs have high levels of parental and community involvement.
Strategies for Developing Relationships:
All providers can: • Learn each other’s definition of homelessness • Create a space for open discussion about shared values
and gaps in service • Identify community stakeholders to partner with on
activities that advance common values and goals • Attend each others’ meetings • Develop MOUs for cooperation and information sharing
Promising Partnership Practices
Determine Shared Vision and Values
Develop a Plan Communicate Establish Connections Share Leadership Build Collaborations
Mutual Stakeholder Engagement
Children – includes student and family needs.
Parent Teacher Organizations Teachers – instructional support insight.
M-V teacher tutors Administration – instructional/ school supports.
Continued awareness and technical assistance Community Based Non Profits – varied missions.
Early Child hood Education Centers, United Way, Sisters, Boy/Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement, Junior Leagues, Kiwanis Clubs
Neighborhood Coalitions – betterment of residents.
Business Associations, In Town Associations, Foundation Civic Sites Faith Institutions – betterment of surrounding communities.
Churches, Mosques, Synagogues Businesses – venues and consumer needs.
Corporate Foundations, Neighborhood Businesses, Future Business Government Agencies – citizen services.
Police Department, Health Clinics, Social Services and Libraries Universities – volunteer and sports resources
Atlanta Public Schools Example
Homeless Education Advisory Board
Mission:
The Atlanta Public School Homeless Education Program seeks to actively and regularly engage key, Atlanta – based community stakeholders in ensuring the academic success of students in transition.
Vision:
The Atlanta Public School Homeless Education Program Advisory Board will meet twice per school year to be updated on the issues facing students in transition. The board will leverage their networks in providing opportunities for students to gain life skills and exposure to activities that ultimately boosts the academic esteem of this at-risk population.
Other Partnership Results:
Every year:
Community Agency Yearly Outcome
United Way of Greater Atlanta 8 pallets of school supplies
Focus North America 1000 sneakers
Atlanta Police Athletic League 25 slots for homeless students
Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta 100 beds to families transitioning to permanent homes
Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential
15 doulas and life coaches with housing and child care
APS Central Office 30 families adopted for holiday giving
Georgia State University 150 tickets per home football and basketball games
Atlanta Association of Black Journalist
4 large boxes of school supplies
Assistance League of Atlanta 1800 uniforms for elementary school students, 700 coats and 500 hygiene kits
A case in housing:
HEARTH Act: Initial Assurances:
1. The Continuum of Care (CoC)Applicant must demonstrate collaboration with education agencies.
2. The CoC must consider the educational needs of children and not disrupt children’s education.
3. Project applicants must demonstrate practices consistent with McKinney –Vento Act.
4. Applicants must designate staff to ensure children are enrolled in school and connected to services.
McKinney – Vento Data
Doubled UpUnshelteredHotels/MotelsShelters
HUD vs. McKinney – Vento Impact
Department of Education (DOE) Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Doubled up with family and friends Literally Homeless
Residing in hotels or motels Imminent Risk of Homelessness
Residing in an emergency shelter or transitional housing
Homeless under other Federal Statutes
Unsheltered Fleeing and/or attempting to flee domestic violence
Sustainability
Share responsibility with schools and other community organizations committed to engaging families in meaningful, culturally respectful ways, as well as families actively supporting their children’s learning and development.
Continue across a student’s life, beginning in infancy and extending through college and career preparation programs.
Carry out everywhere children are raised and taught - including homes, early childhood education programs, schools, after-school programs, faith-based institutions, playgrounds, and community settings.
Position Statement on School-Family-Community Partnerships for Student Success (2009). Connecticut State Board of Education. http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/LIB/sde/pdf/board/SFCP.pdf
My Contact Info.
Sonya O. Hunte, MSW
Homeless Education Liaison
130 Trinity Avenue 2nd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Office (404) 802-2245
Fax (404) 802-1205