Colorado Participates in Federal Policy Academy on
Homeless Families
with Children and Unaccompanied Youth
Background
Federal Policy Academies on
Homelessness are sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
Department of Education (DOE), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department
of Labor (DOL), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S.
Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH), and are planned in collaboration with
other Federal partners including; the Food and Nutrition Service of the
Department of Agriculture (FNS), and Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Federal partners support a team from each
State to explore new approaches to responding to the housing, treatment,
education, and service needs of families with children experiencing
homelessness. A team of thirteen individuals attended a Homeless Family
Policy Academy in November 2005. The team spent two and half days drafting a
four point strategic plan on improving access to mainstream services for
homeless families with children and unaccompanied youth.
Purpose of the Academy
To support states in
developing a collaborative State level Action Plan to improve access to
mainstream health, education and human service programs for families with
children and unaccompanied youth who are experiencing homelessness.
Vision
Statement
We
envision a Colorado where our communities including public & private sectors
have united & collaborated to make homelessness a rare & brief experience that
does not cross into future generations.
Four Point Strategic Plan
1.
Obtain baseline data to capture numbers and situations to
better create and allocate resources to those specific situations.
·
Strategy 1.1 - Create a comprehensive database that includes
public, private, non-profit resources, services and housing for the homeless
population.
·
Strategy 1.2 - Implement a comprehensive HMIS Data System.
2.
Target Housing Resources For Homeless Families To Get Them Into
Appropriate Long Term Housing As Quickly As Possible.
·
Strategy 2.1 - Develop Rapid Re-entry/Housing First approach for
homeless families.
·
Strategy 2.2 - Increase resources to support Housing First Model.
3.
Develop a seamless, coordinated, interagency process that improves
access to mainstream services for homeless families and unaccompanied youth.
·
Strategy 3.1 - Increase easier access to the array of public and
private services needed by homeless families.
·
Action 3.1.1 - Use assistance center approach as a diversion
option as well as an appropriate placement locator process.
·
Action 3.1.2 - Create a “One Stop” Family Assistance Center Model
– including education, employment, Food Stamps, training, Work force Center,
etc…
·
Action 3.1.3 - Create “Family Connection” teams include
public/private to help mentor families to achieve success.
·
Action 3.1.4 Blend housing practices and funding sources i.e.
career development, job training, TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, SSA/SSI, etc…
·
Action 3.1.4 - Blend housing Action 3.1.5 - Provide technical
assistance & training for homeless providers to build greater capacity.
·
Action 3.1.6 - One Child, One School, One Year. Foster
cross-agency collaboration with McKinney district liaisons to increase
awareness, access and stability of homeless students.
4.
Recommend the development of a comprehensive statewide homeless
plan that incorporates the family homeless plan.
-
Strategy 4.1 - Develop a comprehensive statewide homeless
plan that incorporates the family homeless plan with the existing plan for
chronic homelessness.
Plan
Development and Implementation
The
Colorado Interagency Council on Homelessness will spend the next year refining
the initial draft plan and working towards implementing strategies and actions
approved by Governor Owens.
