Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care: July Newsletter

Maricopa Association of Governments sent this bulletin at 07/05/2022 11:26 AM MST
Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care
Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care (CoC) Newsletter | July 2022

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

Homeless Youth Funds Request for Proposal 

The Arizona Department of Economic Security will be issuing a Request for Proposal for Homeless Youth Street Outreach and Drop-in Center Services in the State’s e-procurement system, Arizona Procurement Portal (APP). The RFP will be released on July 12, 2022 and the funds available will be good through May 23, 2023. To register and apply, visit http://app.az.gov. In addition, there are several other solicitations currently available in the community. To learn more, visit this link.  

 

HUD Announces Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity 

On June 22, 2022, HUD announced a Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for unsheltered individuals. The one-time funding can be used for up to three years. MAG is in the process of developing a timeline, application process, and next steps. The kickoff launch will be held Wednesday, July 27 at 1:00 p.m. For more information, reach out to us at hsinfo@azmag.gov.  

 

VA Publishes Interim Rule for Legal Services 

The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule allowing for legal services for Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness as part of their national homeless prevention efforts. The funding is for up to 75 grants for legal assistance with housing, family law, income support, criminal defense, and characterization of a discharge. The Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted in September. To learn more, see the full press release.  

 

 

PAST MEETINGS 

 

The Continuum of Care Board completed Strategic Planning sessions and adopted the Strategic Plan in June. The goal of the Strategic Plan is to be a working document to continue to adapt to the changing needs in the community. The Board also approved a data share with AHCCCS related to heat, approved changes to the Rank & Review process, and welcomed Shawn Pierce to the Board. In July, the Board will be reviewing the Governance Charter.  

 

The Continuum of Care Committee is currently reviewing the Community Best practices document, adding additional items around encampments, outreach, and diversion. CoC Committee members had a total of three meetings to go over best practices and will be finalizing the document for review at the July meeting. 

 

The Coordinated Entry Subcommittee (CESC) is currently reviewing the Coordinated Entry model in Houston and setting up a meeting with the Coordinated Entry leads there. CESC is reviewing prioritization and applications for organizations that have applied for onboarding. An update on the Coordinated Entry assessment will be provided by Homebase Consulting at the upcoming meeting on July 7th. 

 

The Data Subcommittee (DSC) welcomed a new Co-Chair, Mary Glennon. DSC continues to review their Policies and Procedures and the required HMIS policies that they oversee. In July, DSC will be reviewing new applicants who wish to onboard into HMIS.  

 

The ESG Subcommittee (ESG) has unanimously accepted a Request for Proposals (RFP) standards for Rapid Rehousing and Emergency Shelter. ESG is now reviewing street outreach and homeless prevention standards to adopt to ensure there is alignment with all ESG providers, streamlining standards for non-profits providers who apply for these funds. 

 

The Lived Experience Subcommittee (LES) is creating a vision and values statement. Some members of the LES were chosen to go to Washington D.C. to meet with Arizona representatives to speak about issues related to homelessness and housing needs. LES is looking to open membership to recruit new members to join the Subcommittee.  

 

The Race Equity Leadership Group (RE) met with Homebase Consulting to provide feedback regarding what gaps currently exist in the Coordinated Entry system from an equity lens. MAG contracted with Racial Equity Partners (REP) to assist with the development of a Workforce Equity Toolkit that organizations can utilize to examine inequities within their organizations and how to create a more diverse workforce from front line staff to executive leadership. REP will be attending an upcoming meeting in July to gain additional information on next steps of the Racial Equity Plan.  The RE leadership team is currently reviewing the CoC Board Strategic Plan and providing feedback. 

 

The Communication Workgroup is in the process of developing a Communication Plan for the Continuum of Care to ensure communication between, in, and out of the CoC is consistent and understandable. In June, the group refined the top five messages that should be understood about homelessness which will be revised in July as well as drafting key takeaways for the Homelessness Trends Report.   

 

The Youth Provider Workgroup welcomed guest speakers Natalie Murillo and Sanghoon Yoo from Cece’s Hope Center, who shared a presentation on Trauma Informed Care and an overview of their program. They also shared that Cece’s Hope Center provides in-depth community trainings. If you are interested in their community trainings, please contact Natalie Murillo at natalie@cecescenter.org. 

 

The Youth Provider Workgroup also welcomed Meghan Meyerson from the College Depot at the City of Phoenix’s Burton Barr Library, who shared about their program, which includes assisting with completing FAFSAs, applying for colleges, and finding other post-secondary programs, such as trade schools and apprenticeships. 

 

The Outreach Collaborative providers have responded to a survey on outreach areas throughout Maricopa County. There is a continued conversation around longitude and latitude and ensuring outreach teams are entering this information into HMIS during outreach of unsheltered populations. Homebase Consulting will be attending the next meeting in July to get feedback around the Coordinated Entry system from outreach teams. The collaborative will also go over Community Best Practices for outreach and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) principals for addressing encampments.   

 

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

 

The Arizona State Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, June 24, after passing a bipartisan budget. The budget includes a $60 million appropriation to the Housing Trust Fund with $20 million set aside for rural communities and $4 million set aside for tribal communities. Additional appropriations include $10 million to fund a Homeless Services Grant pilot, $10 million for Arizona Department of Education to create transitional housing for foster youth, and $2.4 million for Arizona Department of Administration to oversee support activities in northern Arizona for homeless veteran housing. 

 

Neither the sanctioned camping sites bill (SB1581), nor the bill to increase State Lottery Fund allotment to homeless services (SB1263) passed prior to adjournment. Though conversations have been tabled for now, it is possible the bills return in the next legislative session. 

 

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 – July 6 at 10:30 a.m.  
  • Coordinated Entry Subcommittee – July 7 at 3:00 p.m. 
  • Veteran Workgroup Quarterly Meeting – July 8 at 10:00 a.m. 
  • Data Subcommittee – July 11 at 10:00 a.m. 
  • Racial Equity Leadership Group – July 11 at 3:00 p.m. 
  • CoC Committee Meeting – July 13 at 9:30 a.m. 
  • Community Court Toolkit Workgroup – July 13 at 2:00pm 
  • Outreach Collaborative – July 14 at 1:00 p.m. 
  • Communications Workgroup – July 19 at 11:00 a.m.  
  • Youth Provider Workgroup – July 21 at 10:00 a.m. 
  • Coordinated Entry Subcommittee – July 21 at 3:00 p.m. 
  • CoC Board Meeting – July 25 at 1:30 p.m. 
  • Lived Experience Subcommittee – July 28 at 10:00 a.m.  

 

 

UPCOMING TRAININGS AND WEBINARS 

 

 

RESOURCES 

 

National Alliance to End Homelessness: Rapid Rehousing Toolkit 

National Alliance to End Homelessness: Pressure Points Resource Series 

Arizona Housing Coalition: Evictions Resources Packet 

 

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