South Bay Coalition for the Homeless

In March 2012, LAHSA will be conducting Los Angeles Continuum of Care Meetings to discuss challenges communities are facing in combating homelessness and how to utilize our cummulative resources effectively and efficiently. Agenda items include:

• A Presentation on new Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Regulations
• Updates on Our HUD SuperNOFA Grant Application
• Preparing Disability Claims in Permanent Housing Programs
• Coordinating Council Elections to Determine How New Funding Will be Allocated throughout the Los Angeles Continuum of Care

List of areas, meetings, dates, and places

Please note that if you are planning to apply for funding through the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, whether you are seeking renewal funding or new funding, you will need to demonstrate that your organization participates in the Continuum of Care planning process in your community. If you have any questions about these Continuum Meetings, please contact Allura Graham at 213.225.6545 or via email at agraham@lahsa.org.

During March 2012, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) will be sponsoring HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) workshops.

The HMIS Focus Group will be facilitated by Abt Associates, a public policy consulting company working with HUD, the Hilton Foundation and other philanthropic partners throughout Los Angeles County, to conduct an assessment of homeless data collection and management. Part of that process includes meeting with key homeless stakeholders, conducting focus groups with homeless assistance providers, and researching national best practices related to data systems that contributes to ending homelessness.

The focus group discussions include:

• What data and information do case managers need to help clients end their homelessness?
• How does HMIS support the work you do and how does it provide you with the tools and resources you need to address homelessness?
• What other tools or processes are currently in use at your program or agency?
• What are the HMIS challenges or participation barriers that you would most like to see addressed?
• What HMIS improvements or system changes would you like to see implemented?

Feedback from the HMIS focus groups will help inform the strategies LAHSA implements to enhance your experience. I appreciate your time and ideas as we work to identify opportunities for HMIS improvements.

Wednesday, March 14 from 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Puente Learning Center “Multi-Purpose Room”
201 S. Boyle Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Thursday, March 15 from 9:30am – 11:30am
Buena Vista Library
300 North Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91505

Friday, March 16 from 9:30am – 11:30am
New Directions/VA Campus
11303 Wilshire Blvd, VA Building 116, Los Angeles, CA 90073

Kerry Morrison (KerryMorrison@list.hollywoodbid.org) writes:

The United Way/LA Area Chamber is planning on convening several hundred community leaders and activists who are committed to working together to end homelessness. And that includes all of you as members of Hollywood 4WRD. A very informative and exciting program is planned, and I hope to see ALL of you there that day.

More information is available at this Home for Good page.

Dan Bradford (dan@kingsharbor.org) writes:

We will be hosting our Winter Community Health Fair on Jan 25th Wednesday at 2PM – 4PM at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (301 Ave “D” R.B.) providing a wonderful meal, gently used shoes and jackets , haircuts, foot washing and some basic health care resources that include wound care, blood pressure and consultation with the generosity of our friend Dr Anorga.

We’ll also enjoy services from local volunteer RN’s. There will be a Dental Hygienist to give away tooth brushes and referrals to county services. Representation from the Salvation Army in Long Beach will be available to help place those interested in their services.

If you would like to participate please contact Amy Perez at 310.376.6555×104 or Amy@Kingsharbor.org

Our current needs are for the following:
Hair cutters
Gently used Shoes and Jackets
Housing referrals
County services

Looking forward to meeting with our community!

2012 Workshop Series

United Homeless Healthcare Partners (UHHP), in partnership with
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), is pleased to offer this
exciting new workshop series for 2012.

This workshop series is designed to assist Supportive/Affordable Housing
Developers and FQHC’s partner together to ensure access to health care
for individuals and families residing in supportive housing. The series will
encourage natural alliances and help organizations develop the tools to
“operationalize” this type of project. Graduates of the workshops series
will have the practical tools necessary to move to the next phase of
project development.

See this flyer for more information.

December 2011 – Call for resources

Dear Coalition Members:

We are excited to offer to the South Bay Community our 4th Annual Community Health Fair. Our friends at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Ave D in Redondo Beach have agreed to host this event on January 25th at 2pm. It is our hope to provide a variety of free medical evaluations and referrals, hygienic services, and give-aways.

If you are interested in providing any of the above resources, we would be honored to partner with you. Please contact me with a description of the services you specialize in.

We, at King’s Harbor Church, appreciate your efforts to support those at need and at risk in our community and we look forward to partnering with you.

Sincerely,

Amy Perez, Mobilization Coordinator

King’s Harbor Church
1617 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite D
Redondo Beach CA 90277

310-376-6555 ext. 104
amy@kingsharbor.org

This Los Angeles Times article of November 13, 2011 discusses a program where residents of apartments operated by the Skid Row Housing Trust studied storytelling, learned public speaking — all with the aim of sharing what it’s really like to be living on the street.

United Homeless Healthcare Partners (UHHP) is a network of homeless service providers and advocates in Los Angeles County.

Their NOVEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER discusses: HomeWalk – United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ annual 5K Run/Walk to End Homelessness, workshops, Healthy Way LA, Medi-Cal & Impact of Default Enrollments on Homeless Residents, Preparing Disability Claims, the Los Angeles Homeless Resource Wiki.

Notes: October 12, 2011 meeting of South Bay Coalition for the Homeless

Present: Mark Silverbush, Lori Geittmann, Carolyn Wolf, Anne Faass, Marie Gabon, Arnold Sachs, Kera Valentine, Diana Garcia, Louis Mena, Paul Stansbury, Diane Carter

Lori conducted the meeting with others contributing to the discussion. She had spoken with a planning director for Redondo Beach regarding the Eagles Lodge. Because the building is historically significant, a conditional/non-conforming use permit would need to be needed and would probably meet with opposition from residents of neighboring condominiums. Currently the property is being sought after by a Buddhist group to prepare (and distribute?) meals to the homeless. An article appeared some time ago in the Daily Breeze. Lori will talk with this group before the November meeting.

Mark reported on the final numbers for the 2011 Census. At the county level there was a 3% overall decrease while in the South Bay there was an increase (6788) since the 2009 census (4497). The increase was in large part due to a telephone survey of 3000 people in order to uncover the hidden homeless living in garages, back yards, etc. Also counted for the first time were 1500 families receiving Cal Works overnight vouchers for motels/hotels. Data from the census is available at www.lahsa.org. Click on homeless count report in the quick access menu. A letter will go out in November promoting use of grants and lobbying to address issues of homelessness.

In response to a question regarding funding for projects he said that there are unspent funds out there —such as Emergency Solution Grants and Community Development Block Grants. These funding sources need to be better used and communicated. United Way has a 5-year plan to end chronic homelessness. SocialServe.com is another source of funding information.

Kera expressed frustration over limited availability of Section 8 housing in Redondo Beach and will arrange for a speaker at our next meeting.

A project that continues to interest many at the meeting is to help sponsor a place such as St. Margaret’s where people can do laundry, and receive mail as well as access community resources. (ShareBread a Wednesday night dinner sponsored by First United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach makes it possible for diners to use Laundry King on Torrance Blvd, just a few blocks from the church on Wednesday nights.)

Paul said that he would be speaking to each shift of the Manhattan Beach Police Department, focusing on mental health in light of the tragedy in Fullerton and will provide officers with a card listing resources for crisis intervention.

Looking to our future as a group, there seemed to be a consensus for coming together on a project and not merely serving as a networking group. Mark said that one area coalition we might like to look to would be the Westside Shelter and Homeless Coalition. We could ask them to speak. Nick Ipollito, deputy to supervisor Don Knabe, would also be a good source, as would Peggy Edwards, a strategic planner for the United Homeless Healthcare Partners.

It was determined that meeting minutes should be sent out with a follow-up email a week before the November 16 meeting with an agenda.

Grant Title: Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation – FY 2011

The purpose of this program is to support projects in the areas of education, medicine, and religion. Projects can also focus on the health and welfare of the sick, aged, incapacitated, and helping those in need.

In 2011, special funding consideration will be given to organizations that provide help to those who are hungry or homeless.

Limited funding will be provided for capital campaigns. Requests for capital funds are generally reviewed in October.

The vast majority of funding is provided in the greater Los Angeles area of California.