 CEH's Megan Gibbard gathers input from Governing Board, Interagency Council, and Consumer Advisory Council members about our Draft Strategic Plan
Read the latest CEH DRAFT Strategic Plan here. This version includes edits based on public comment given through March 15. We are in the process of distilling additional input given by our Governing Board, Interagency Council, and Consumer Advisory Council with the aim to release a final draft on April 15.
The purpose of a coordinated entry/access system is to ensure that all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access and are quickly identified, assessed for, and connected to housing and homeless assistance based on their strengths and needs. In March, the IAC was asked to affirm a new vision for aligned coordinated entry that provides clear and sufficient oversight for performance of a coordinated system for all populations experiencing homelessness. While the work at the systems level is happening, several process changes and improvements have been made to both the Youth Housing Connection (YHC) and Family Housing Connection (FHC).
Coordinated Engagement for YYA:
Youth Housing Connection (YHC) has worked with the community of providers to make significant improvements in both the time it takes to fill available units and the time it takes for YHC to refer assessed YYA to available units:
Other improvements include:
- Housing providers in our community voluntarily reduced and streamlined their housing eligibility criteria related to criminal background
- These changes allowed us to simplify our assessment tool and the matching process – and allows greater access to young people who we know, in terms of potential criminal charges, are disproportionally of color.
- Modifications to the assessment tool will allow us to implement the YYA typology and refer young people to the type of housing best suited to meet their needs. These changes are anticipated for the summer of 2015.
- This summer we anticipate piloting a community housing placement process – where housing providers and funders will meet regularly to match each open unit with the next YYA in the placement pool.
Coordinated Entry for Families:
Similarly, Family Housing Connection (FHC) has implemented new practices and policies to address some of the recommendations presented to the IAC which will result in improved assessment capacity as well as improved coordinated entry experience for families and providers. These improvements include:
- Domestic violence & FUP Vouchers granted temporary waiver to opt out of FHC
- FHC implemented new Block Scheduling for assessment appointments, which is estimated to yield up 100 additional appointments per month
- FHC began running a WATCH background check for families at initial assessment (if the family chooses) which will allow families to gain a better understanding of what is on their background and to resolve any issues or address discrepancies prior to being referred to housing
- An “After-hours” External Fill Policy for congregate shelter was implemented on March 20, which will allow Bianca’s Place to fill any open bed after hours if FHC was not able to find a family to refer during business hours.
 The Seattle Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher "Section 8" program is holding an online-only lottery for spots on their new waitlist during a registration period lasting from March 23 at 8 am through April 10 at 5 pm (PDT). After registration closes, 2500 households will be randomly selected and placed on a new waitlist. This is the first time the waitlist has been open since February 2013.
Registration is free and only at seattlehousing.org/waitlist – any site asking for money is a scam. The safest way to register is to type “seattlehousing.org/waitlist” directly into the internet address bar
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 On Thursday, April 23, United Way will host the 2015 Community Resource Exchange at Century Link Field from 9am to 2pm. The Community Resource Exchange is a day devoted to connecting people experiencing homelessness in King County with immediate access to the services and resources they need. In one place—on one day—attendees enjoy a hot meal and have access to free health services, haircuts, voicemail accounts, public benefits, referrals to employment training and much more. Last April, over 1500 community members experiencing homelessness came to the Community Resource Exchange for a day of hope and help. For more information, e-mail cre@uwkc.org.
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On April 28 at Fremont Abbey the Moth hosts
“Home: Lost and Found,” a showcase of local homelessness stories developed in
their nationally recognized story telling workshop. Coordinated by Seattle
University through funds from the Gates Foundation, “Home: Lost and Found” was
created to develop the storytelling skills within family homelessness providers
and advocacy organizations in the Puget Sound region. Learn more here.
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 The Mobile Medical program provides basic medical care, dental care, and social services to homeless individuals and families living in south King County. At each site a full free meal is served by the church. The program does not charge a fee and does not require insurance. Check out their April schedule here.
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Governing Board
Upcoming Meeting: NO meeting in April. Governing Board will be rescheduled in June. Watch for future updates on date and location.
Recent Meeting: CEH Strategic Plan
Interagency Council (IAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, May 4 / 2pm - 4pm / Seola Gardens Community Center, 11215 5th Ave SW, Seattle
Agenda Topics: TBD
Recent Meeting: Coordinated Entry, Legislative Priorities Update, HMIS Security
Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, April 15 / 6 - 7:30pm / Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle
Agenda Topics: CEH Strategic Plan, Focus Group Planning
Recent Meeting: Housing Search Navigators Focus Group Report Out
The Family Homelessness Initiative staff host monthly information sessions on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to talk with local stakeholders (providers and funders) about the work of the Initiative. This is an opportunity to hear about current projects, what is coming up next, to ask questions and provide input. NOTE: Beginning July 2014, these sessions will be held from 9:00-10:00am and immediately followed by the Family Housing Connection (FHC) feedback session.
Reoccurring: 3rd Wednesdays each month 9:00 – 10:00 am at varying locations
Next meeting: April 15th at the 2100 Building, 2100 24th Ave S., Seattle, WA
Immediately followed by FHC feedback meeting from 10:00 to 11:00am
Contact Triina Tennelo for more information: 206.263.9110 or triina.tennelo@kingcounty.gov or visit the Initiative website for more information:
The monthly YYA Stakeholder Forums provide a monthly opportunity to hear about the changes planned for our homeless youth and young adult system in King County. Please check the YYA Webpage for updates. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan to Prevent and End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in King County contact Megan Gibbard (megan.gibbard@cehkc.org) or visit the YYA Webpage. To be added to the YYA stakeholder email list, which provides bi-weekly updates on the initiative, email Carrie.Hennen@cehkc.org.
YYA Stakeholder Forums will be held quarterly in 2015
March 12-13, 2015-- in conjunction with Comprehensive Plan Refresh Community Convening. - Event Brite invitations have been sent separately; please contact carrie.hennen@cehkc.org if you have questions
June 23, 2015, 2-3:30pm, location TBD
September 22, 2015, 2-3:30pm, location TBD
December 1, 2015, 2-3:30pm, location TBD
 South King County Forum on Homelessness
Contact: Manuela Ginnett, manuelag@multi-servicecenter.com or Jo Cherland, johannac@ccsww.org. The SKC Forum on Homelessness meets the 1st Wed. of every month at 9–10:30am at Kent Commons, 525 – 4th Ave N. SKC Forum on Homelessness web address: http://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=2728
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, April 1, from 9:00 to 10:30am at Kent Commons (525 – 4th Avenue N.)
Eastside Homelessness Advisory Committee (EHAC)
Contact: Arthur Sullivan ASullivan@bellevuewa.gov. EHAC coordinates homeless housing & service activities in East King County. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Thursday of the month, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way NE (just south of 520)
Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, April 9, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue (1717 Bellevue Way NE)
Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness (ITFH)
The ITFH works among, between, and within the faith community and seeks to create the political will to end homelessness using targeted education, outreach and advocacy. Typical Meeting Schedule: 3rd Wednesday of the month, noon-1:30pm at St. Mark’s. Contact: Bill Kirlin-Hackett at itfh@comcast.net or (425) 442-5418.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, April 15, noon – 1:30p.m. at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle
University District Conversation on Homelessness
Contact: Valerie Craig. Monthly Gathering share thoughts and strategies on local and regional concerns around homelessness. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Monday of the month, 9 – 11:30 am. Meetings rotate throughout the U District, and frequently at University Congregational Church though location may change.
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, April 13, 9-10:30 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105
University District Service Provider’s Alliance
Contact: udsp.spt@gmail.com U-District Service Provider’s Alliance share information relevant to working with homeless youth and young adults, program updates, and neighborhood updates. A service provider debrief follows each meeting. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 11am-12:30pm
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, April 8, 11am to 12:30pm, Street Youth Ministries
Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH)
The General meeting is the 3rd Thurs of each month, 9-11am at E Cherry YWCA. Learn more and sign up for meeting reminders at www.homelessinfo.org
General Meeting: Thursday, April 16 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the E. Cherry St. YWCA (2820 E. Cherry St.)
SKCCH Youth & Young Adults: Tuesday, April 14 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol Hill Public Library (425 Harvard Ave. E.)
SKCCH Single Adults Advocacy: Thursday, April 9 from 12 - 1:30 p.m. at the Boenish Room, Plymouth Housing Group (next door to Simons Apartments): 2119 3rd Ave.
SKCCH Families with Children: Thursday, April 22 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the E. Cherry St. YWCA (2820 E. Cherry St.)
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