Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care News
August 2020
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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.
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Submit Facts and Photos for a CoC Celebration
Spotlight accomplishments in your community! THN staff are creating a presentation about successes across the CoC over the past year. The video will highlight the work you’re doing to prevent and end homelessness. And we need your facts and photos to make it happen!
This year we won’t be able to meet in person for the October General Meeting, but a video will be the next-best thing. Submit your pictures and brief facts so we can celebrate you and your community on October 14th! Submission form can be found here.
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Welcome Our New Team Members |
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Cindy is the new TX BoS CoC Coordinated Entry VISTA. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Global Studies, with a focus in International Security, from The University of Texas at Austin. She also received a certificate in Public Policy, which allowed her to intern with local Austin non-profits and membership-based organizations before joining THN.
In her spare time, Cindy enjoys attending concerts, reading, solo traveling, and watching films. Beyond her typical hobbies, Cindy is on a journey of decolonizing through the work of activists and advocates speaking on a variety of issues, such as Indigenous land rights, industrial agriculture, the prison-industrial complex, universal housing, workers’ rights, etc. Overall, Cindy is looking forward to her year with THN and hopes to learn more about the issues and solutions on homelessness affecting the people of Texas.
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Paula Dewey is the ESG Data Specialist at Texas Homeless Network. She has a background in the media industry where she focused on systems, reporting, and process improvement. She grew up in Virginia but has lived in Texas for most of her life. After working in the corporate world for many years, she realized that she wanted to focus her efforts on work that was more meaningful. She is passionate about working to help bring an end to homelessness and in helping to create a better, more equal society for everyone. |
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2020 TX BoS CoC Board Member Elections |
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Voting for the 2020 Coc Board elections is now open. Take this opportunity to make your voice heard! Elect who will represent you and guide the CoC over the next two years.
Voting ends August 14th at 11:59 P.M.
Any general member of the CoC (that is, anyone who lives or works in the TX BoS CoC and has an interest in preventing and ending homelessness) may vote in the elections.
Please contact Mary Stahlke, Assistant Director for Engagement, if you have any questions or need assistance. mary@thn.org or 512-861-2180
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Coordinated Entry Written Standards 2.0
The TX BoS CoC Board approved the Coordinated Entry Written Standards, version 2.0, on July 22nd. The document outlines the framework for Coordinated Entry in the TX BoS CoC. This version includes new policies and processes and clarifies the day-to-day operation of Coordinated Entry, including helpful, colorful flowcharts!
Let the Systems Change team know if you have any questions at CE@thn.org.
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COVID-19 and the Upcoming Flu Season |
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USICH discusses on page 11 of a report on the federal response to COVID-19 for the homeless community the impact of the co-occurrence of the upcoming annual flu season and COVID-19. It expresses concerns about the ability for individuals to distinguish which of the two they may have, increased demand on emergency rooms, and the contraction of both viruses at the same time.
USICH makes two recommendations to mitigate the impact of the co-occurrence of these two viral respiratory diseases in the homeless community:
- Communities broadly promote and offer the seasonal flu vaccine to the homeless community and
- Communities offer a single assay test for Influenza Type A, Influenza Type B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
Not only will this serve to address the previously stated concerns, but it also provides a test run for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine to the homeless community when the vaccine is available.
THN is here to support communities in developing plans to implement these recommendations or answer your related questions. You can email sophia@thn.org if you have any questions.
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AUGUST
August 2020 TX BoS Board Meeting
Wednesday 26 August 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
*Closed Meeting
SEPTEMBER
September 2020 Ex. Committee
Thursday 3 September 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
*Closed Meeting
New Local Homeless Coalition Training
Wednesday 9 September 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Interested in organizing those who help people experiencing homelessness, but not sure where to start? See a need for homeless services in your community or looking for a refresher on what's available?
September 2020 CESC Meeting
Tuesday 15 September 2020, 10:15 AM - 11:45 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.
*Closed Meeting. Please email ce@thn.org for more information.
September 2020 TX BoS Board Meeting
Wednesday 23 September 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
*Closed Meeting
October
October 2020 General Meeting
Wednesday 14 October 2020, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Topic: CoC Governance Charter and other governance documents
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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
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New TX BoS Data Committee
Texas Balance of State (TX BoS) is looking for individuals interested in data! TX BoS wants to work hand in hand with community members to establish expectations around data collection, use, and upkeep. In order to do this, TX BoS has established a Data Committee to focus specifically on Texas Balance of State HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) data.
The purpose of the TX BoS Data Committee is to provide data-driven insight and education to multiple groups/stakeholders about homelessness in the Texas Balance of State. The TX BoS Data Committee would also be a way of providing feedback from HMIS end users on specific data matters such as HMIS Policies and Procedures, the HMIS Data Quality and Management Plan, data security, Point In Time Count information, and the TX BoS HMIS implementation.
The Data Committee had previously been put on hold due to COVID-19. We understand that this turbulent time means many people are stretched thin, and they may not have the capacity to participate like they might in normal times. We want to be transparent that committee members should be able to commit to 1-3 hours a month to the committee. This time would include webinars, calls, and reviews of data and policy documents.
If you have any questions about the committee, feel free to reach out to data@thn.org. |
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Performance Evaluation Committee (PEC) Members Needed
The Texas BoS is seeking community members interested in project performance and evaluation!
As the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care works to increase input from members and improve the performance of our system, the Performance Evaluation Committee (PEC) will help provide input and guidance on project performance, evaluation, funding, and best practices. Members of the PEC with review outcome metrics, provide input to the CoC Board, recommend funding guidance, analyze current project performance, etc.
THN is seeking individuals that are interested in learning about ESG and CoC performance evaluation and program improvement. Individuals with lived experience are especially encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in participating in the Performance Evaluation Committee, please complete this interest form by August 15th, 2020. If you have any questions, feel free to email Quiana Fisher, CoC Performance Coordinator, at quiana@thn.org.
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USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder
To slow the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), many schools have closed unexpectedly. To ensure that children who rely on free or reduced-price meals at school are able to get the nutrition they need, USDA is working with states to continue providing meals to students. Usually, the rules require that children gather and eat their meals on site. However, due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency and the need for social distancing, USDA was able to make temporary changes so that meals may be taken home, and parents or guardians may pick meals for their children if the state allows. Families can use this tool to find directions to nearby sites as well as hours of operation and contact information.
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North
South
East
West
Central
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.
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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:
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We are please to offer two recommendations this month, the first coming from our Racial Equity Intern, Giovanna DiNapoli:
"Throughout the span of my internship with Texas Homeless Network, I have centered my focus on getting acquainted with THN’s systems, reading and developing research, establishing a racial equity toolkit and recommendations, and writing up one-page reports.
The first one-pager I am sharing details takeaways from the Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities (SPARC) Report on the intersection of race and homelessness. I encourage taking time to reflect on how the recommendations from the SPARC Report can be applied towards establishing racial equity in your work duties and daily life."
You can check out Giovanna's one pager here
You can read the full report here.
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Sophia Checa, our Director of CoC Programs recommends resources shared by the Texas Interagency Council on Homelessness (TICH):
At the Texas Interagency Council on Homelessness (TICH) meeting on Tuesday, July 21, the Texas Education Agency announced that they had an FAQs regarding students experiencing homelessness and COVID-19 to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs). We felt this information is also important for any providers serving children and/or families.
We also learned about the presence of Community Services Block Grant CARES Act (CSBD-CV) funding across Texas. You can read more about those here.
You can learn more about TICH's work here. |
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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!
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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. |
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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.
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The TX BoS CoC is a focus area of the Texas Homeless Network. |
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See what's happening on our social sites |
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