Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care: June Newsletter

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Data Walk

MAG will be hosting a Data Walk learning event Thursday, June 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Different data sources, such as System Performance Measures and PIT Count, will be posted in varying rooms to offer a cohesive image of the homelessness-related data available regionally. After perusing the data, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss, ask questions, and determine opportunities for improvement. Organizations are encouraged to bring their own data to the event. The event will be hosted in person with the option to attend virtually. To register, visit this link.

Morrison Institute Housing Research

ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy has continued to release new research on issues related to housing insecurity in Arizona, including a May 2022 report on trends, barriers, and potential solutions for Maricopa County. Their complete research repository can be found at this link.

Request for Proposals

There are a number of solicitations currently available in the community. These solicitations include Arizona Department of Child Safety’s Transitional Housing services in the Extended Foster Care program (EFC) and the Transitional Independent Living Program (TILP), Arizona Department of Housing Fair Housing training, and Department of Veteran Affairs for shelter. To learn more, visit this link. If you have a proposal that you would like included on the website, contact hsinfo@azmag.gov.

Foreclosure Eviction Analysis Tool

The Arizona Housing Coalition is supporting New America’s efforts to standardize and geocode local housing loss data through their open source Foreclosure Eviction Analysis Tool. AZHC is working to engage County and Justice Court Leaders across the state to learn more about the tool with a goal of statewide adoption to improve access to eviction data within our communities.

Threshold Launch

Threshold is launching on June 1. Threshold is Maricopa County’s centralized landlord liaison service, which supports all scattered site permanent housing programs in Maricopa Regional CoC. Operated by HOM, Inc., it supports and collaborates with property owners and managers to be active partners in solving homelessness. Threshold created a toolkit with guidance on how to talk about Threshold and sample emails & social media posts. If you have questions, reach out to Daniel Davis at daniel@hominc.com.

Workforce Development Listening Sessions

MAG will be hosting two Workforce Development listening sessions on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The goal of the listening sessions is to get feedback on the current Workforce Development landscape. If you are interested in attending either of the sessions, please reach out to Haleigh Owens at howens@azmag.gov.

Maricopa County Department of Health Resources

Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has established a new Shelter Support Team. The team works directly with MCDPH Epidemiologists, Doctors, Logistics, and with the Department of Human Services, and can connect you with the expertise most relevant to you. If you need assistance, please reach out to Kyree King at 602-506-6767- wait for the menu and press option 5 or by email at ShelterHealth@Maricopa.gov. The MCDPH team is also putting out regular newsletters, sent by email every 3-4 weeks.  If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please contact the CARES Team. Topics in the newsletter include heat preparedness and COVID, infection control, COVID-19 reporting, logistics, and resources.

PAST MEETINGS

The Continuum of Care Board continues to complete Strategic Planning sessions and received feedback from the other Committees and Subcommittees. The Board heard a presentation on Threshold, approved the removal of the Coordinated Entry pandemic prioritization, reviewed the PIT Count report, and approved the latest Quarterly Trends Report.

The Continuum of Care Committee discussed and approved the removal of the pandemic prioritization due the state ending the COVID-19 Declaration of Emergency in March. Solari presented on the System Flow Dashboard and noted a significate increase of active singles and an increase of almost 12 percent in BIPOC and unsheltered populations.

The Coordinated Entry Subcommittee (CESC) is working to integrate domestic violence service providers into the coordinated entry system. Coordinated entry points continue to be expanded throughout the region. Multiple coordinated entry point applications have been approved and on boarding has begun to expand access points, this will allow for additional coverage throughout Maricopa County. 

The Data Subcommittee (DSC) continues to review and discuss the System Flow Dashboard and other deep dives into data as requested. In addition, the DSC reviewed their Roles & Responsibilities and policies that need to be reviewed on an annual basis which will be finalized this summer.

The ESG Subcommittee is working on Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) contracts to better align with best practices. The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) has provided guidance to the ESG sub-committee on Street Outreach and Prevention. Representatives from Solari attended the meeting to provide information around last known address in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to better understand how to serve people regionally.  

The Lived Experience Subcommittee (LESC) held a networking event on May 6 at RI International. During the April meeting MAG staff provided an update on the NOFO Scorecard and the changes that have been made to ensure equity for the programs that serve people experiencing homelessness. During the May meeting LESC will work on a values statement.   

The Race Equity Leadership Group will be meeting with Homebase consulting on the Coordinated Entry evaluation to provide feedback regarding equity in the homeless response system. Research continues on what other communities across the country have done to create a more equitable common assessment tool. The research includes looking at Tucson/Pima County who are receiving Technical Assistance from HUD on racial equity in their coordinated entry system. MAG is signing a contract with Racial Equity Partners who will continue their partnership with Maricopa County to further work on the Racial Equity Plan by providing support in the following areas: Community Coaching, Ongoing Learning and Workforce training.  

The Communication Workgroup began meeting in April to discuss a Communications Plan for the Continuum of Care. The workgroup has identified the need to have consistent messaging about the data related to homelessness and will be working to draft talking points on the data available to be used across the Continuum of Care in June.

The Chronic Workgroup is coming together for a Strategic Planning session on June 7 to set an aim and goals for the upcoming quarter. The session will include takeaways from the past Built for Zero learning session and have the group identify areas of focus that can be impacted for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Additional workgroups are meeting to develop a flow chart for other systems of care and to address the inflow from jails.

The Youth Provider Workgroup welcomed guest speaker Beverlee Kroll of the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), who presented on DCS’ new educational program. This program seeks to create partnerships between DCS and educational institutions to create better outcomes for youth in foster care. Nicky Stevens of MAG shared that there is a need for more Coordinated Entry (CE) Access Points for youth. If you are interested in becoming a CE Access Point, please contact Nicky Stevens at nstevens@azmag.gov. MAG is also currently seeking additional youth providers to add to the workgroup. If you serve youth and are interested in becoming part of the Youth Provider Workgroup, please contact Haleigh Owens at howens@azmag.gov.

The Outreach Collaborative discussed the importance of completing the Outreach Survey that was sent out in April. MAG encouraged outreach personnel to complete and send back to ensure we have all agencies represented and the most accurate information for the Regional Analytics Division. MAG staff inquired about outreach team’s interactions with unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness. Representatives from the Human Services Campus (HSC) stated they will be hiring staff that will be specifically focused on youth in and around HSC to connect them with the appropriate services. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Minimal public activity has occurred at the Arizona State Legislature due to continued budgetary debate. SB1581, which would create sanctioned camping sites, has progressed with draft amendments that remove an emphasis on criminalizing homelessness. Other bills, such as those to appropriate $100 million to the Housing Trust Fund or to increase the allocation of state lottery funds to the coordinated homeless line item, remain in a holding pattern.

The Arizona Housing Coalition leads the efforts to end homelessness and advocate for safe, affordable homes for all Arizonans. For any questions, please contact Joan Serviss with the Arizona Housing Coalition at joan@azhousingcoalition.org, join the Arizona Housing Coalition, or get involved in their Advocacy Committee if you are a member.   

UPCOMING MEETINGS

All meetings subject to change. If you are interested in attending and do not have a meeting invite, please reach out to hsinfo@azmag.gov. 

• ESG Subcommittee – June 1 at 10:30 a.m.
• Coordinated Entry / Domestic Violence Workgroup – June 2 at 10:00 a.m.
• Racial Equity Leadership Group – June 8 at 4:00 p.m.
• Chronic Workgroup Strategic Planning – June 7 at 1:00 p.m.
• CoC Committee Meeting – June 8 at 9:30 a.m.
• Outreach Collaborative – June 9 at 1:00 p.m.
• Coordinated Entry Subcommittee – June 9 at 3:00 p.m.
• Data Subcommittee – June 13 at 10:00 a.m.
• Communications Workgroup – June 21 at 11:00 a.m.
• Youth Provider Workgroup – June 23 at 10:00 a.m.
• Coordinated Entry Subcommittee – June 23 at 3:00 p.m.
• Lived Experience Subcommittee – June 24 at 10:00 a.m.
• CoC Board Meeting – June 27 at 1:30 p.m.
• Workforce Development Listening Sessions – June 30 at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

UPCOMING TRAININGS AND WEBINARS

HUD Region IX Environmental Training: HUD – June 7 at 1:00 p.m.

Trauma-Informed Care: Responding to the Trauma of Homelessness: Homeless & Housing Resource Center – June 7 at 11:30 a.m.

Determining McKinney-Vento Eligibility: National Center for Homeless Education – June 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Addressing Housing Accessibility Through Cross-Sector Partnerships: A Closer Look at Home Modification Collaborations at Work: Administration for Community Living – June 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) Training: MAG – June 14 at 9:00 a.m.

Data Walk: MAG – June 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Best Practices for Person-Centered Outreach: Homeless & Housing Resource Center – June 21 at 11:30 a.m.

Ensuring LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Housing: Arizona Housing Coalition – June 28 at 1:00 p.m.

McKinney-Vento School Selection Rights: National Center for Homeless Education – June 30 at 11:00 a.m.

Interested in staying up to date on trainings? Bookmark our training calendar to see the most up to date trainings available and register.

RESOURCES 

MAG Homeless Services: Need Help?

HUD Continuum of Care

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

National Health Care for the Homeless Council

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Arizona Housing Coalition

School House Connection

Crisis Response Network- 211 Arizona Call Center

Domestic Violence Shelter Resources

Arizona Food Bank Network

Tax Filing Information: Child Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit Resource Sheet, Earned Income Tax Credit, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

National Alliance to End Homelessness: Rapid Rehousing Toolkit

National Alliance to End Homelessness: Pressure Points Resource Series

NEW! Arizona Housing Coalition: Evictions Resources Packet

Please do not reply to this email. It will not be delivered to MAG.

You have received this email because you are subscribed to the GovDelivery service for the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care Board, Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care Committee, or Homelessness Prevention Stakeholders. You may change your subscription preferences by clicking on the links below.