Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care News
May 2020
Texas Homeless Network is the lead agency for the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC) . The TX BoS CoC is a group of stakeholders that collaboratively plan and operate the CoC and a range of housing and services to prevent and end homelessness. The TX BoS CoC covers 215 counties and includes 28 Local Homeless Coalitions (LHCs) that plan, deliver, and evaluate local systems.
Announcements
VISTAs Needed

THN is looking for two VISTA members who will support the TX BoS CoC's operations to improve services and outcomes for persons who experience homelessness.

These VISTA members will either focus on supporting the Systems Change Coordinator by developing tracking and communication systems between the Coordinated Entry Planning Entities (CEPEs) in local communities and the BoS, or serve with the Data and Policy Analyst on determining needs and developing a plan of improvement for TX BoS CoC Data Committee.

 Apply   today to be the TX BoS CoC Coordinated Entry VISTA

Apply today to be theTX BoS CoC Homeless Management Information System VISTA
TDHCA Training: ESG Basics and ESG CARES

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will present a training on Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program Basics on Friday, May 15, 2020, at 10 a.m., Austin local time. This training is being released so organizations can determine their interest in pursuing ESG funds.
The ESG Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act First Allocation and the 2020 ESG annual application processes will be announced in the next several weeks.
In the ESG Basics training, staff will cover a broad overview of ESG eligible costs and activities, highlighting certain key differences between the annual allocation of ESG and ESG CARES. Registration is available here .
ESG CARES Act: The ESG CARES Act First Allocation Programming Plan was approved by the TDHCA Governing Board on April 23, 2020. A copy of the plan presented to the Board may be found online . While applications for ESG CARES Act First Allocation will not be accepted via TDHCA, an application process through ESG Coordinators will be announced in the next several weeks.
2020 ESG Annual Allocation: The application for the ESG annual allocation is anticipated to be released in the next several weeks, and due in early summer. Currently, the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the ESG annual allocation has not been released.
Questions regarding the ESG Basics training or general ESG questions may be sent to esg@tdhca.state.tx.us
Award Nominations Are Open!

Do you know someone in your community doing phenomenal work? Do you know an agency that is vital to people experiencing homelessness in your area? We know there are countless unsung heroes among us, and we want to uplift them with you.


Nomination categories are: Outstanding Community Service, Outstanding Community Organization, and Outstanding Case Manager.

Important Dates
MAY

*No CoC General Meeting in May

TDHCA Webinar: ESG Basics and ESG CARES
Friday, May 15, 2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs staff will present the basic eligible activities for the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program. Staff will also cover differences between ESG annual allocation funds and ESG funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Register Here


TX BoS CoC CARES Act Emergency Solutions Grant Application Q&A Webinar
Tuesday 19 May 2020, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
This webinar is intended for Texas Homeless Network (THN) to answer questions about the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) application for ESG CV-19 funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Register Here


May 2020 TX BoS Board Meeting
Wednesday 27 May 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
*Closed Meeting

JUNE

June 2020 General Meeting
Wednesday 10 June 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Topic: Systems Change
Register Here


June 2020 CESC Meeting
Tuesday 23 June 2020, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
The TX BoS CoC will be hosting a virtual meeting for the Coordinated Entry Steering Committee (CESC). The CESC provides direct support and guidance to the CoC’s systems change efforts
Register Here


June 2020 TX BoS Board Meeting
Wednesday 24 June 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
June 2020 TX BoS Board Meeting
*Closed Meeting


Opportunities
Open Funding Opportunities

We are currently in the process of adding a new section to our website to help collect all funding opportunities made available to Texas including city, state, and federal programs.

In the meantime check out this PDF of all current available funding options here
Across the TX BoS CoC...
North


South


East
Into the mission fields  (Jacksonville, Cherokee County)


West


These articles were gathered from Google Alerts and emails sent directly to us. If you have articles about your community's efforts to prevent and end homelessness that you want highlighted in our next newsletter, please email the articles to   txboscoc@thn.org.
Staff Recommendations


The following are resources TX BoS CoC Lead Agency staff have found that we believe would be beneficial to your local efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time:
This month's recommendation comes from Samantha Foss, our Director of Development and Communications:

Read THN's latest blog about the intersection of COVID-19 and homelessness. This compelling post outline the extreme and difficult hardships faced by those who have no home to isolate in during this pandemic. The post is authored by THN board member, Dr. Ben King and Dell Medical School Student, Sam Baldazo.

Read it here
Anyone who works or lives in the CoC's geographic area, and all housing and homeless services projects in the CoC's geographic area, are considered to be members of the CoC. The CoC has an open invitation process, so members may join at any time.

THN invites members to participate in the CoC's activities. Learn more on the email list , the website , and social media . CoC General Meeting minutes and recordings are posted on THN's website, in the TX BoS CoC "Get Involved" page at  https://www.thn.org/texas-balance-state-continuum-care/get-involved/ . Presentations by and conversations between CoC members and staff on relevant topics keep members informed and up-to-date.

Share this email with anyone you think may be interested!
CoC General Meeting Schedule

Stay informed about CoC happenings by participating in the bi-monthly webinars. Each meeting will feature a topic that is important to preventing and ending homelessness. See the Get Involved page for dates, topics, and registration links.
CoC Program Funding

If you are a representative of an agency that is interested in applying for United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding, please contact txboscoc@thn.org .
The TX BoS CoC is a focus area of the Texas Homeless Network.