March 12, 2012

COSCDA 2012 Homeless Program Managers Training Conference

Washington, D.COctober 24, 2011

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USICH Mission & Vision

Mission:

Coordinate the federal response to homelessness and create a national

partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce

and end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the effectiveness of the

federal government in contributing to the end of homelessness.HEARTH Act of 2009

Vision:

No one should experience homelessness

No one should be without a safe, stable place to call home

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Opening Doors

Goals of Opening Doors

1. Finish the job of ending chronic homelessness by 2015

2. Prevent and end homelessness among Veterans by 2015

3. Prevent and end homelessness for families, youth, and

children by 2020

4. Set a path to ending all types of homelessness

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State Interagency Councils on Homelessness

Purpose

1. State Plan and Strategy on Homelessness

2. Foster Local Plans

3. Policy, Regulatory and Resource Change

4. Accountability

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State Interagency Councils on Homelessness

Purpose

5. Partnerships

6. Implementation Strategy

7. Non Partisan

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Opening Doors Across America: A Call to Action

States and Communities are encouraged to 1. Align your community plan with Opening

Doors2. Set targets and measure results 3. Act Strategically4. Partner in the national efforts to end

homelessness

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Align your plan with Opening Doors

Adopt the goals of Opening Doors: Finish the job of ending chronic homelessness by 2015 Prevent and end Veterans homelessness by 2015 Prevent and end homelessness for families, youth and

children by 2020 Set a path to end all types of homelessness

.

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Set Targets and Measure Results

Commit to incremental targets & measure progress: Set numeric goals for permanent housing units

made available for target homeless population

Measure progress using the annual point-in-time data for the four population goals

Measure how well homeless programs help their clients become employed and access mainstream programs

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Act Strategically

Key Actions Transform homeless services to rapid-response systems

Implement Housing First and Rapid-Rehousing

Ensure Medicaid enrollment, esp. after 2014

Collaborate with VA Medical Centers

Work with PHAs to help prioritize individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Commit to using data as a management tool

Work collaboratively and build relationships to streamline resources & invest dollars where they make the most impact

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Partner

Keep lines of communication open with leaders at all levels of government during local plan implementation

Share what you’re doing and learning

Work with State Interagency Councils to align efforts and to ensure best practices are shared broadly

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Join Us

Step 1: Become a Participating Community by committing to the four criteria of Opening Doors Across America in your plan implementation Step 2: Become an Opening Doors Community by adopting the four goals of Opening Doors in your plan and convening your state interagency council to commit to these changes

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Benefits of Joining Opening Doors Across America

• Participating Communities will have direct access to feedback from USICH experts on plan implementation & will be able to connect with other signatory communities on best practices• Opening Doors Communities will also be publicly recognized by USICH and will be regarded as leaders in community change – something to highlight in applying for federal, state and local funding

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USICH

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