Contra Costa Continuum of Care Newsletter
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Successful Partnership Highlighted
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Lavonna Martin, Director of Health, Housing and Homeless Services and Martinez Police Chief, Manjit Sappal, recently presented about the unique partnership formed between their departments to facilitate homeless outreach.
The pair shared their experiences and lessons learned through the development of the Martinez/Pleasant Hill CORE outreach team at the latest Contra Costa Health Services
Contra Costa 2020 Learning Session
- a series of meetings that highlight innovative collaborations between Health Services and community partners.
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New Director for Contra Costa Health Services
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After a nationwide search, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors appointed Anna Roth, RN as the new director of Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) January 30.
Roth has served as Chief Executive Officer of Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers for nine years. She succeeds Dr. William B. Walker, who served more than two decades as Health Services Director and over three decades as County Health Officer.
For more about Director Roth and her appointment, click
here
.
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Point in Time Count Update
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Contra Costa's Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC), conducted its annual comprehensive Point-In-Time (PIT) count of families and individuals experiencing homelessness on January 23, 2017. Surveys were gathered at over 50 sites and the count was made possible by wide array of partners including:
- 100+ Community Volunteers
- Antioch, Concord, and Richmond Police Departments
- Richmond Fire Department
- Contra Costa County departments including the Public Defender’s Office, Office of Education and Pittsburg and Mount Diablo Unified School Districts
- Staff from the local office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Community agencies like Rainbow Community Center and Rubicon
- Multiple Homeless Service Providers
In addition to the amazing staff and volunteers who were conducting the count, State Senator Steve Glazer (in black jacket and cap in photo) joined one of our CORE Outreach teams to see firsthand the reality of homelessness in Contra Costa. After his ride-along, the Senator wrote us, saying “
It was eye opening and I was very moved by the experience”.
A formal PIT report will be released this spring. To see past PIT reports, click
here
.
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Housing and Disability Advocacy Program Grant
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Contra Costa Health, Housing and Homeless Services, in partnership with Employment and Human Services Department and Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, recently were awarded a Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP)
grant. HDAP was created by Assembly Bill 1603 and funds county-administered programs that assist individuals (including those in families) who are (1) homeless and (2) may be eligible for disability benefits by offering outreach, case management, advocacy, and housing assistance to all program participants to help get them into stable housing and help them apply for disability income benefits. An HDAP funded CORE homeless outreach team and Housing Navigator will come into operation the summer of 2018 to help facilitate housing and disability benefit application.
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New Coordinated Entry Providers
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We are pleased to announce two new service providers are joining the homeless Coordinated Entry System in Contra Costa County! Starting April 1, 2018, the West County CARE Center will be staffed by the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) at 165 22
nd
Street in Richmond. Coordinated Assessment and Resource (CARE) Centers provide a walk-in option for individuals and families who need to connect to homeless services. Services offered include help with basic needs, light case management, housing navigation services and substance use disorder treatment and support.
Starting later this spring, Hume Center will begin providing Diversion Services to divert clients in crisis from the homeless system of care through counseling and limited financial supports. Services provided will include homelessness diversion counseling, family mediation services, landlord/tenant conflict resolution and brief, goal-oriented case management. Stay tuned for more details as these programs get up and running!
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Coordinated Entry Housing Success
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Sheila* and her young son alternated between living in their car, hotels/motels and staying with relatives. She had stable employment but was struggling to find affordable housing and really needed support to understand her credit, locate affordable housing opportunities, complete housing applications and make contact with agencies that could support her with getting deposit and/or rental assistance.
Sheila had been working with the Walnut Creek CARE Center and in July, staff there connected Sheila with a Housing Navigator. Together, Shelia and the Housing Navigator set a concrete goal: find a 1 or 2 bedroom unit in Pittsburg/Antioch, San Francisco or South San Francisco with a rent of approximately $1500. With the help of the Housing Navigator, Sheila was able to get deposit assistance and she and her son moved into a one bedroom apartment on December 1
st
!
*Name changed to protect privacy.
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Homeless Services Provider Trainings Offered
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The Homeless Continuum of Care is offering a series of homeless service provider-oriented trainings.
Upcoming training topics include:
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Caring for Homeless Seniors
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Connecting Clients to Benefits
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Conservatorship 101
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Criminal Records and Housing Rights: What You Need to Know
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Mental Health First Aid
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Mental Illness Crash Course
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Suicide Assessment and Prevention Training
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New Members on Council on Homelessness
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On March 13, 2018, the Board of Supervisors appointed eleven people to the Council on Homelessness, including these five new members:
- Consumer/Consumer Advocate Representative: Candace Collier, Office for Consumer Empowerment, Contra Costa Health Services
- Homeless Service Provider Representative: Deanne Pearn, Executive Director, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
- Public Safety Representative #1, Bradley Lindblom, Sergeant, San Pablo Police Department
- Public Safety Representative #2, Manjit Sappal, Chief, Martinez Police Department
- Reentry Services Representative, Patrice Guillory, Network Manager, HealthRIGHT 360
Congratulations to all the newly appointed members!
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Contra Costa Housing Forum 3/26
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Ensuring Opportunity is sponsoring a Contra Costa Housing Summit to be informed and inspired! We will build on the progress we made in 2017, and learn what we can do
together in 2018 to create inclusive, thriving communities throughout Contra Costa. We invite leaders from all sectors and regions of the county to contribute to this important conversation.
March 26, 2018
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Pleasant Hill Community Center
320 Civic Dr.Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Cost: $35
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Walnut Creek Community Forum on Homelessness 3/29
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The Walnut Creek Homeless Community Task Force
is hosting a community forum designed to give community members and business owners an opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Walnut Creek, what is being done for the homeless, and steps being taken to address homelessness in Walnut Creek. The forum will also give community members and business owners an opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions of experts.
Speakers and panelists will discuss facts about homelessness, causes of homelessness, problems experienced by the homeless and the community, and possible paths and solutions to the issues that result from homelessness. During Q&A, panelists will take questions from attendees moderated through Q&A cards available upon entry.
March 29, 2018
7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
Walnut Creek Library
1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
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Coffee and Conversation Event 4/9
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Are you experiencing homelessness? Interested in learning about available services in Contra Costa County? Join us and the Monument Crisis Center in a welcoming environment to learn how they can help!
Coffee and snacks available for all attendees.
Monday, April 9th
2 p.m.
Concord Library
2900 Salvio Street
Concord
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Upcoming Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care meetings
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Contra Costa Council on Homelessness Meetings
First Thursday of the month
1 pm - 3 pm
Sequoia Room
50 Douglass Drive
Martinez
Homeless Continuum of Care meetings
4th Friday of April, July,October
10 am - Noon
Locations TBD
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