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8:30-9:15am - Registration/Continental breakfast
9:15-9:30am - Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:30-10:30am - Plenary Speaker: Robert V. Hess, Commissioner of NYC Department of Homeless Services
Commissioner Hess will share his success in both NYC and Chicago in creating a unique interagency collaboration to reduce homelessness. As Commissioner of Homeless Services, Mr. Hess leads a staff of over 2,000 towards the city's 5 year goal of reducing chronic homelessness by 2009, and has promoted several national best practices, including the city's HomeBase prevention program.
10:30-10:45am - Break
10:45-12:00pm - Workshop A
Engaging Public Housing Authorities in Ten Year Plan Goals and Implementation
The creation of supportive housing units for chronically homeless individuals is a key goal of Ten Year Plans to End Homelessness. Learn techniques to engage and connect the work of Public Housing Authorities to Ten Year Plans.
Ending Veterans' Homelessness in Connecticut : New Resources and How to Access Them
This workshop will offer education on innovative programs currently improving access to services and housing for homeless veterans. Speakers will provide detailed information on the HUD-VASH program, developing a veterans' drop in center, and coordinating additional resources outside of the VA. This session is designed to be interactive and address specific questions and concerns from workshop participants.
Local and National Efforts to Address Prison Re-entry
Far too often individuals cycle in and out of the corrections and homeless service systems, but there are some key federal and local efforts underway to address this and ensure that it does not persist. Presentations from both national and local leaders will highlight best practices to address prisoner re-entry.
Opening the Back Doors: Existing Re-housing Resources
This workshop provides information on existing resources to move clients from shelters and into housing. Among the resources to be reviewed are the DSS Security Deposit Guarantee program, Housing Assistance Fund for people with HIV/AIDS, Housing Assistance for DMHAS eligible clients, and DCF Flex Funds.
Federal Stimulus Dollars: How to connect HPRP to other ARRA Resources
This workshop will provide an overview of the federal stimulus dollars made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Discussion will include information on resources beyond HPRP that may be used to address homelessness and housing, and the availability of other funding sources through federal agencies. The workshop will also explore ways to work with Congressional leaders to ensure that stimulus dollars are maximized in your community.
12:00-1:00pm - Lunch
1:15-2:30pm - Workshop B
United Ways and Ten Year Plans: Developing a Structural Model
An exploration of the role United Ways have played in creating stability within Ten Year Plans and their potential to serve as unified funding agencies.
Cost Benefit Research: Driving Public Policy to Prevent and End Homelessness
State and local communities are using cost benefit research to build support and momentum for the development and implementation of Ten Year Plans to End Homelessness. Hear directly from communities that have recently completed such analysis, and learn how they were able to communicate these vital messages to community stakeholders, business leaders, and jurisdictional leaders.
Connecticut Pardon Team: Getting a Second Chance through the Pardon Process
The Connecticut Pardon Team will review the eligibility requirements and application process for a pardon and how the Connecticut Pardon Team has helped many get a second chance.
Transitioning our Shelters to Work for the LGBT Community
Learn terminology, resources, and advocacy efforts to enable your shelter to provide the best possible service.
Social Security Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR): Will it work in your program?
A panel discussion featuring a SOAR trainer, a representative from the Social Security Administration, and case workers who use the tool.
1:15- 4:00pm - Extended Panel
National and State Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs: Advice for the Journey
This panel will bring together national and state leaders to discuss their experiences in implementing both prevention and rapid re-housing programs and will provide an opportunity to connect their experiences to the new Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP).
2:45-4:00pm - Workshop C
Key Strategies for Implementing the McKinney-Vento Reauthorization in Your Community
This workshop will offer information and advice from national leaders on the recent McKinney-Vento Reauthorization and will provide an opportunity for communities to learn more about the potential impacts of the HEARTH act.
Closing the Front Door: Existing Diversion and Prevention Resources
With prevention, service providers have the opportunity to divert an individual or family from shelter and avoid homelessness. Learn more about programs that are currently helping people stay in their housing such as the Eviction/Prevention Foreclosure Program, Mediation Services, CT Energy Assistance Program, and Utility Assistance programs.
Developing and Financing Supportive Housing
A step-by-step overview of development including: establishing a development budget and an operating budget; building your sources and uses; understanding operating subsides; the elements of a financial plan; and project timeline. An overview of predevelopment sources of funding and how to create a predevelopment budget will also be included.
Addressing Addiction: What Works?
Learn the basics of harm reduction; and get tools for working with clients who use, experience relapse, or have a substance use history. This workshop will also feature information on how to access your area's syringe exchange program, and the use of Naloxone (Narcan) to prevent overdose.
8:30- 9:00am - Registration/Continental breakfast
9:00-9:15am - Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15-10:15am - Plenary with Norm Suchar from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
Norm Suchar will update attendees on the latest news from Washington. Hear more about HUD's vision for the coming months and year and how you can prepare to respond, as well as what to expect in the upcoming federal budget debates.
10:15-10:30am - Break
10:30-11:45am - Workshop D
Unknown and Invisible: Runaway and Homeless Youth
This workshop will focus on the reality of runaway and homeless youth and the lack of reliable data to bring proper support to this population. Learn about national data and research, local programs, and ways to support the work of youth providers in CT. Also, find out what is currently being done in CT to bring awareness to this issue, including current legislative advocacy.
Lessons learned: Starting a Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program
Learn what it takes to start a prevention and rapid re-housing program from local, experienced providers. From program start-up to service and best practices, this workshop will help those new to prevention and rapid re-housing discover what it takes to create a successful program.
Work is Everybody's Business
Finding employment for formerly homeless individuals is complex and especially difficult considering the reality of the current economy. Learn more about best practices in supportive employment from the Community Services Network in New Haven.
Reducing Municipal Road Blocks to Ten Year Plans
Explore the use of Ten Year Plans to create alignment with municipal government, city planning staff, planning and zoning commissions, and the public in order to reduce Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) problems.
Implementing the Cost-Effective Housing First Model
Pathways' Housing First Model places people who have been living in shelters or on the streets for an extended amount of time directly into apartments, with no requirement of sobriety or service compliance, and with expert clinical teams providing intensive support. Presenters will discuss the successes and challenges of implementing a Housing First program in Connecticut and present a review of recent research and cost study findings on Housing First.
Influencing Political Will in a Time of Budget Crisis
Advocates and lobbyists will provide an update on the current state budget and its potential financial and programmatic impacts on homelessness. Learn more about what can be done in anticipation of the 2010 legislative session and network with others from across the state who are invested in the fight to prevent and end homelessness.
11:45-1:00pm - Lunch
1:15-2:30pm - Workshop E
Integrating Supportive Housing
Creating new opportunities for the integration of supportive housing into all affordable, mixed income, and market rate housing developments has become a desirable and essential path to ending homelessness. Whether in larger mixed-income buildings or smaller projects in suburban communities, the inclusion of supportive housing is a critical and cost effective strategy. Learn about model projects in NYC, Boston, and Connecticut that have successfully combined affordable and supportive housing.
Homelessness and Domestic Violence: Finding Intersections, Creating Connections
This workshop will provide a forum to discuss the intersection between the homeless shelter system and the unique needs of domestic violence survivors. The workshop will include a panel of homeless and DV providers, as well as a research expert. Topic areas will include: survivors' experiences in homeless shelters; identifying the greatest sources of conflict for survivors when residing in shelters designated for homelessness; existing best practices; and the creation of mutually beneficial protocols.
National Expertise on HPRP: Creating Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs
What does it take to successfully obtain, retain, and maintain housing? Marge Wherley of Hennepin County, MN is providing guidance to HUD on how best to implement HPRP across the nation. Attendees of this workshop will hear directly from Marge about what it takes to create successful prevention and rapid re-housing programs.
Building Housing Networks: Creating Partnerships with Landlords
Learn the nuts and bolts of developing relationships among private landlords, provider organizations, and tenants to create units of permanent supportive housing.
Getting a Job: Employment Opportunities for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
A roundtable discussion will include barriers to employment, dispelling myths, and ideas for assisting Ten Year Plans with their employment strategies. This workshop will help Ten Year Plan planning committees and rapid re-housing programs, as well as service providers working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness connect with best practices in employment and training services.
2:45-4:00pm - Workshop F
Building a Solid Foundation: Existing Housing "Find" and Stabilization Services
Those who experience homelessness are often eligible for important sources of public financial and social supports ranging from Safety Net Services to Beyond Shelter CT. Discover how you can improve access to critical community based supports by building relationships with key providers that serve low income individuals, families, and children.
Shelter Health and Safety
This workshop will provide solutions to issues around frequent outbreaks as well as addressing possible pandemics related to influenza (including H1N1) and other communicable diseases. Participants will learn prevention techniques, contagion reduction, isolation tactics, working with local health agencies, as well as integrating health objectives into intake and care plans.
Ten Year Plans as Models for Regional Advocacy
This workshop will focus upon the creation of collective advocacy among Ten Year Plans to End Homelessness in CT. Explore how to determine and advocate for common denominator issues that exist within Ten Year Plan regions.
The Rights of People in Shelter
Are you doing all you can to protect your client's rights while in shelter? Is your grievance policy and procedure in compliance with state regulations? This workshop will offer valuable information on the rights of people in homeless shelters and insights into how you can ensure that your program incorporates appropriate measures to address issues around personal rights in a congregate living situation.
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