Serving Manatee & Sarasota Counties
Sarasota County 10 Year Plan to Prevent & End Homelessness Health and Human Services Work Group Notes Saturday, February 5, 2011
Attendees: Elmer Berkel Hannah Brown Sonia Fuentes Bryan Cooney Mike Day Nancy DeLoach Marguerite Jill Dye Kathleen Marie Hall Pamela Hawn Ginny Hoenig Marlene Minzey Ginger Pavloff, RN, LPC David Proch Catherine Owens Mark Perlman, Co-Chair Carol Burmeister Prichard Carole Reynolds Sarah Risher Lou Sharp Pattiann Sharp A. Soltero Tina Steele Cathy Stumpfl Alice Sverdlow Jerry Thompson Pauline Tracy, Co-Chair Caroline Zucker
Human Services Advisory Council New College of Florida Sarasota Commission on the Status of Women Resurrection House Department of Children and Families Sarasota County Human Services Citizen Sarasota County Human Services Hope Kids Resurrection House First Step of Sarasota Resurrection House Resurrection House Homeless Person Center for Growth and Development, Inc. Venice Interfaith Community Association Retired Citizen UU Sarasota Retired Citizen Epiphany Cathedral Citizen Sarasota Commission on the Status of Women and Sarasota Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board Epiphany Cathedral Citizen Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. Sarasota County Human Services Sarasota County School Board
1750 17th Street / K-1 ● Sarasota, FL 34234 ● Phone: (941) 955-8987 ● Fax: (941) 209-5595 www.suncoastpartnership.org
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Introductions – Self introductions were made.
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Review of schedule of meetings and commitment – Mark Perlman reviewed the meeting dates, type of discussions at the meeting, and the commitment each member brings to the table.
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Review of roles for co-chairs, note-taker, researcher
Co-Chairs: Mark Perlman and Pauline Tracy Note-taker: Kathleen Marie Hall Researcher: Nancy DeLoach
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Review of communication process (confirm contact information/e-mail addresses) – Mark stated that the means of communication will mainly be through email. The overall purpose of the work group will be to review information serving the homeless population within Health and Human Services (HHS), identify the resources and the gaps, and develop a HHS plan. It was noted that the work group needs more involvement from the homeless population in order to develop the plan.
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Identify issues o General topics
Review of work groups and their purpose. Review of data collected over the years. What and where are the available resources throughout the county? What is the definition of a homeless person? Members felt there was a need to define homelessness, the different categories of persons who are homeless, and the total number living in homelessness in Sarasota County. This will include a review of the “Homeless” survey recently conducted and census data. Change the “disconnect” between the agencies and create a “roadmap” to assist the homeless population in getting help (such as a diagnosis tree for addiction, mental health, where to go for assistance, etc.). Review of 2-1-1 access (members to bring examples to the next meeting). Update the “Blue Book” as a good resource. It was noted that the 2-1-1 currently has this data online. Review of the CHIP Health & Human Services Resource Directory. Dissemination of information to the homeless population (most have no access to the internet or phone service). Develop a comprehensive approach to address and meet the immediate needs (identifying individuals that need mental and physical care in campsites, case management, outreach, etc.). Review of demographic information.
o Services
SCAT and ITN transportation services—what types of transportation services are available?
1750 17th Street / K-1 ● Sarasota, FL 34234 ● Phone: (941) 955-8987 ● Fax: (941) 209-5595 www.suncoastpartnership.org
Focus group at Library (need meeting dates). What information have they already gathered? Continuum of Care (CoC) monthly meetings representing Sarasota and Manatee counties (need meeting dates).
o Unmet needs
Relapse programs. All faith programs; not just Christians. Long-term care for those with addictions and dual diagnosis issues. Follow-up on the mental heath and addiction community by creating a “sign-in” format and traveling to the client (as clients will probably not follow-up otherwise). Better transportation (huge issue). The need for a central “One-stop Center” in the northern portion of Sarasota County and in the southern portion of the County for information, resources, services, and treatment; a “Hub” – example: bicycle wheel where all services are connected). Mobile Unit for information and services as part of the “One-stop Center”. Mail Service. ID – not able to get ID due to lack of address (such as library card, driver’s license, etc.). Food Stamps – unable to obtain due to lack of a permanent address and/or lack of an ID. Safe and secure housing (create “boarding houses”). Denial of assistance or services for those who have no addictions or health issues but are homeless – they fall through the crack. Prevention program education (those on the verge of homelessness). Lockers / safe boxes.
o Overlap with other work groups •
Prevention Housing
Present general information; discuss, assign tasks to members and questions to research point person(s)
Identify all the organizations in the area that provide services to persons who are homeless. Invite 2-1-1 to give a presentation to the work group. Encourage additional participation by the homeless population in the work group. Review CRC manual Collect children data (contact YMCA’s Schoolhouse Link program and All Faiths Food Bank). Change name from “End Homelessness” to __? Research www.Centerforhope.org Advertise and then create a directory of citizens willing to rent a room “free” of charge to a homeless person. Review agency coordination, access, and education.
1750 17th Street / K-1 ● Sarasota, FL 34234 ● Phone: (941) 955-8987 ● Fax: (941) 209-5595 www.suncoastpartnership.org
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Develop “ask list”: What additional information does your Work Group need?
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End Chronic homelessness Others to be determined at future meetings.
Decide the work group schedule; if you plan to meet prior to the next meeting on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 2-4pm, determine time(s) & place(s)
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Homeless Focus Group at Library – When do they meet and what are their needs? (Liz Nolan) Request homeless census information from Suncoast Partnership (Richard Martin). Request contact person from available resources to present at future meetings. Ask homeless population where they receive services. Ask CoC, why all agencies in the community do not attend meetings? Invite more persons who are homeless to attend the work group meetings.
Determine which of the Ten Year Plan goals your work group will address
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Review case management and outreach services currently available.
Next meeting: March 11, 2011 (2 - 4 p.m.)
Confirm tasks to be completed by work group members prior to next meeting
Marlene Minzy – provide homeless center information Tina Steele – provide transportation information Jill Dye – create example of a “Roadmap Diagnosis Tree” Nancy DeLoach – provide comparison of resource directories (2-1-1, CHIP, Blue Book, and Elder Help Line) Mark Perlman – email article Ginny Hoenig – provide Resurrection House information Pam Hawn – provide a copy of the “Blue Book”
The group determined that their next steps would be to define homelessness, review the above requested task information and the unmet needs, contact the Library focus group, and identify the gaps within the system.
1750 17th Street / K-1 ● Sarasota, FL 34234 ● Phone: (941) 955-8987 ● Fax: (941) 209-5595 www.suncoastpartnership.org