In this edition:
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Join the next MICH webinar on October 2
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Watch the MICH Council meeting on October 7
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DHS RFP for current ESP grantees to sustain existing shelter capacity due October 18
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Social media highlight: Sharing core values
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Crossroads to Justice: Learn more about the implementation process
Be sure to join the next monthly webinar on Wednesday, October 2 from 1 - 2 p.m. If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email dan.gregory@state.mn.us
Topics for the October 2 webinar include:
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Voting rights and processes for people facing homelessness with the Secretary of State's Office
- Overview of Heading Home Corps program and opportunity
The next MICH Council meeting is on Monday, October 7 from 1 – 3 p.m. Council leadership, Implementation Consultants, and MICH staff will review and discuss progress on the Crossroads to Justice strategic plan. These meetings are open to the public and we hope you’ll join virtually and listen in to the Council’s discussion. There is no public testimony during the meeting; however, you can always share your thoughts with us by email or the Contact Us Form on our website.
The Minnesota Departments of Human Services, through its Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services, and the Office of Economic Opportunity, is seeking Proposals from current grantees to sustain existing overnight site-based emergency shelter bed capacity or drop-in center/day shelter capacity for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for approximately 33 months, from October 2024 until June 30, 2027. Only currently funded ESP site-based overnight shelter and drop-in/day shelter programs are eligible to apply.
In the midst of our shared efforts to end homelessness in Minnesota, it’s important to come back to our core values and affirmations. One of the key things the MICH Implementation Consultants always lift up is that “Housing is a human right.” The other – featured here – is also one we hope you resonate with. Spread the message by giving it a “like” and sharing it to your story!
Crossroads to Justice is the strategic plan of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, bringing a housing, racial and health justice approach for people facing homelessness in Minnesota to guide the work of state government.
The Council committed to the plan in October 2023, with full ramp-up beginning in January 2024. So what does the implementation structure of the plan look like?
Implementation Consultants
A vital component of Crossroads to Justice is that it was co-created by and is being co-implemented with paid consultants who have lived experience of homelessness. In Spring 2024, more than 440 people applied to our contracted vendor Rainbow Research for 14 positions as Implementation Consultants. The 14 individuals selected come from across the state with a diverse array of backgrounds and perspectives. Read their biographies here.
The consultants began in May and selected multiple MICH agencies to work with. In this partnership, consultants actively participate alongside state staff in agency conversations and initiatives related to strategies and actions outlined in Crossroads to Justice, giving shape to the work and ensuring multiple angles and key questions are considered in decision-making. This side-by-side model of power-sharing facilitates deeper mutual learning, fosters accountability, and ultimately improves outcomes as we seek to reduce both the total numbers and racial disparities in who experiences homelessness in our state.
At the September 2024 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless conference, the Implementation Consultants led a presentation on implementation so far. In addition to highlighting the positives, they also indicated areas for improvement and a call for co-leadership with people with lived expertise to become the norm beyond the MICH structure.
There are five bold results outlined in Crossroads to Justice. Each result includes specific strategies and actions that propel the result forward, with a lead MICH agency and staff member assigned for each action. Once a quarter, these designated staff meet to provide updates on their actions and discuss key learnings or challenges. Implementation Consultants also participate when an agency they’re working with is represented through an action. Each result team has now met at least twice, and we are beginning the third round of updates together.
To date, more than 40% of the Crossroads to Justice action items are in progress.
With justice and equity as guiding values, the Council committed to repair and transform unjust systems, recognize people facing homelessness as relatives, empower people who have faced homelessness and housing instability, and hold each other and systems accountable. The Equity Action Team is a key part of the structure to ensure these values are centered and applied.
Commissioners appoint people – high level staff such as Tribal Liaisons and Equity Directors – from each of their agencies to serve on this team. The goal of the Equity Action Team is to guide and monitor the implementation of Crossroads to Justice and support our goal of reducing the disparities of who experiences homelessness. They provide direction and decision-making to ensure implementation of the plan is equity focused and monitor and evaluate the plan as it relates to equity. Of special interest to this team is the question of how we are promoting systems change.
The Equity Action Team meets about once a month.
To hear more updates on the implementation of Crossroads to Justice, be sure to register to watch the MICH Council meeting on Monday, October 7 at 1 p.m.
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