-------- Original Message --------
| Subject: | VA Homeless Conference Update |
|---|---|
| Date: | Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:51:47 -0700 |
| From: | Schupbach, Jordan D. <Jordan.Schupbach@va.gov> |
| To: | Steve Rylant <sarylant@comcast.net> |
Thanks again to all who participated in the Homeless Forum held February 7, 2011 in Denver and Colorado Springs. We had 89 people in attendance, with 66 non-VHA attendees representing 44 agencies and Colorado Springs had 30 people in attendance, with 18 non-VHA attendees representing 15 agencies, making the grand total of 119 in attendance, 84 non-VHA representing and 59 agencies. We were pleased to have a number of VIP guests including Helen Thorpe, our new First Lady of Colorado as well as Jeannie Ritter, our most recent First Lady, in attendance.
We identified common themes, two action items to add to the 5-year plan, which map out our next actions and follow ups to the forum- those themes and plans are summarized below. We will want to distribute a brief summary and the revised 5-year plan and specific follow up action plans for the forum to participants and invitees. While there were some competing agendas as one would expect in such a large gathering, the very strong feedback was that of a lot of energy and excitement in agencies and people coming together to pool our resources to help reach the goal of ending homelessness in Veterans in the next 4 years. We plan to have a repeat forum/coalition meeting in about 6 months.
We also want to thank all who volunteered to co-chair workgroups that we were going to develop out of the break-outs. We have instead decided to form a single steering committee for a new, yet to be named coalition, from the forum attendees and invitees. Please let us know if you are interested in being a part of this steering committee and if you are interested in being a co-chair for this new group.
Common themes:
1. Communication- to all stakeholders and especially our Veterans, in all shapes and forms, including existing resources such as the United Way 211 line, and the many unmet needs.
2. Collaboration/Linkages- while many exist, many further opportunities exist, including development of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) etc.
3. Resources- many exist but aren’t widely known, no one agency or person knows them all, and despite this there are clear gaps to be addressed.
No one agency, especially VHA, can get the job done alone.
4. Employment is a huge need for our at risk and homeless Veterans and resources are especially scarce in smaller cities and rural areas.
5. Non-eligible Veterans- i.e. those who aren’t eligible for VA services, are especially challenged. (One common positive feedback is that homeless Veterans who are eligible for VA services have a much broader and more comprehensive range of services and help available to them than do non-Veteran homeless folks).
6. At risk populations, especially returning OEF/OIF Veterans are an area of acutely increased need and concern.
Two additions to 5-year plan, including action items:
1. Create a coalition (name t.b.d.) led by VHA, starting with the participants of this initial Homeless Forum:
a. Form a steering committee
i. Solicit volunteers to form committee, identify co-chairs, from VA and non-VA
ii. Include fed, state, regional/city, public nonprofits etc
b. This is not to duplicate or upstage existing organizations such as FRICH, the Colorado Interagency Council, the Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative, and the Denver Road Home etc.
c. First steering committee meeting by 4/30/11- agenda to include:
i. Name of coalition
ii. Leadership
iii. Charter and structure
iv. Preparation for proposed CRRC (see #2)
v. Future steering committee meetings
vi. Next Coalition meeting- about 6 months after 2/7/11- including a more focused agenda
2. Prepare for proposed CRRC and make it a true community one-stop shop, not just VA (need to keep as proposed idea until official announcement of funding made by others):
a. Pull together all available resources to create a community wide referral and reference center where veterans could get immediate assistance and referral for issues they have with medical care, community resources, etc.
b. Create a network of CRRCs?- interfacing with what Pikes Peak MHC is reported to be doing in Colorado Springs, and what Posada is working to set up in Pueblo
c. Ideally create a Virtual CRRC- Our community partners and Veterans, especially OEF/OIF, need at least a link from official ECHCS webpage to a comprehensive, user friendly homeless/CRRC page.
d. Linked to existing resources such as United Way 211 line, our HUD-VASH resource line, the VA Homeless Hotline, the Vet Center’s Nat’l call center etc
e. Target date of completion: 9/30/11
Thank you and we look forward to your response.
VHA Staff at the Denver VA Medical Center.