Homelessness News: Together We Can

Northeast Florida CoC | October 2018

Homelessness News:Together We Can

HUD launches family self-sufficiency program at...

A new program is helping neighbors work toward economic independence in the Lackawanna neighborhood. The Family Self Sufficiency Program is the first of its kind under Section 8 housing in Florida. Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole shows us...

Read more
www.actionnewsjax.com

Sheriff Mike Williams attends General Membership Meeting

We are incredibly grateful to Jacksonville's Sheriff Mike Williams, Assistant Chief Jimmy Judge and Lieutenant Jimmy Ricks for joining us on October 11th to participate in a roundtable discussion on Homelessness.

Some of the topics were:

Better communication
Working together, sharing information
Nationals models with sustainability
Houston for rapid housing
Number of beds for people who are homeless
1,100 emergency shelter beds
The state of mental health resources

Sheriff Mike Williams summarized it best, "We have to work together."

Yes, we do and we will.

More BIG News from HUD

Don't discount those Friday afternoon Webinars. You never know what could happen in the last few minutes. You know the meetings, you're counting down until its over.

But it's Friday and it's almost 5 o'clock.

Then the facilitator says the magic words - funding announcements . You turn to listen intently, because if you had checked out early, you would have missed the best news.

Funding is on its way:

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, 3rd and final round - 25 communities to be awarded | 17 urban | 8 rural
Mainstream Voucher Program
Homeless Management Information System

When do we expect the release of the Notice of Funding Awards? Sometime in the next month or so.

Stay tuned...

Do you HMIS?

Youth homelessness numbers are rising.

Over the past four years, the total number of youth who are homeless has gone up by 31 percent, while the number of youth 18 to 24 years old increased by 37.5 percent.

The number taking a bit of a roller coaster ride is the number of youth under 18 years old. From 2015 to 2017, this number increased by 100 percent and then decreased by 100 percent from 2017 to 2018.

Don't you think it's time to look away from the numbers and act?

Is it time for a Youth Housing Challenge?

Join Today! Be a CoC Member

The Northeast Florida Continuum of Care began as a grassroots effort with passionate community and religious leaders guiding the way. And we've made substantial progress.

What does it take to affect change? Driven and determined stakeholders like YOU!

If you care about homelessness and want to be a part of the solution, please join us.

The general membership meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall at 225 East Duval Street, 8:30 to 10:00 am. Our next meeting is November 8th.

You can learn more about CoC Membership here .

Thank you, Carl!

Sending a heartfelt thank you to our Northeast Florida Governance Board Chair, Carl Falconer.

Recently he shared with us that he has taken a position as the CEO of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance and will leave us on November 16th.

Carl has chaired the Governance Board for a while and we are genuinely grateful for his leadership and guidance.

In Carl's words, "Please let the members know that I will miss every one of them. And I expect to hear that Northeast Florida has ended homelessness soon, even from as far away as Texas."

We would expect nothing less, Carl! You were instrumental in the work here in Northeast Florida, and many of the surrounding CoCs. And we will miss you too!

We Know YOU know - Knowledge is Power

Upcoming member training…

On November 1st, join us for the monthly HMIS New User and HMIS Report training.

HMIS New User is 9 am - 12 pm
Report training is 1 - 3 pm

Please email the HMIS Team for more information.

To schedule a workshop email Emma Slier or call 904.930.0730.

Opioid Education Programs
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Prevention Workshop
Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment Workshop

The Azalea Project is an initiative of the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare brings FREE mental health first aid to everyone in Nassau County!

When | Friday, October 26th | 8:30 to 5 pm

Where | Fernandina Beach Police Dept., Community Room

1525 Lime Street

Fernandina Beach, 32034

Help is on the Way!

Upcoming client training/workforce opportunities...

A re you interested in the Veterans Reintegration Program?

Walk-ins accepted
Monday-Friday, 8 to 4:30 pm
117 West Duval Street (City Hall) Suite 175
For more info call
904.630.3680

The Best Way to Show We Care - Be There!

October

2018 Annual Florida Coalition for the Homeless Conference

E mbracing Change | Achieving Success

When | October 31st to November 2nd

Where| Renaissance Orlando Seaworld

Would you like to be a sponsor? If so, contact Lili High for more information.

November/December

Cardboard City under construction

Here's your chance to gain a better understanding of what it's like to be homeless. Have you experienced the Social Service Maze? If not, you should.

The Family Promise Cardboard City will be constructed on November 16-17th at Southside United Methodist Church (new location).

You can support Family Promise by collecting donations for spending the evening or spending the night. This is a great event for families, youth groups and anyone who wants to make a difference in the life of a child.

There are lots of ways to get more info. Learn more here, email Beth Mixson or call 904.537.3645.