Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Commission on Ending Homelessness Meeting

3/16/17

Present:

Kathleen WienerLisa Hinson

Andrea KurtzJohn Thacker

Jan MorganDan Anthony

Ron HairstonAlan Hodges

Joetta ShepherdDebbie Wilson

Tim West

Andrea opened the meeting, minutes from 1/26/17 meeting reviewed, Alan made a motion for approval, Dan seconded and all present approved
Andrea shared Point in Time count data from 1/27/17 count, decreased by 72% at the end of current 10 year plan, handout on more extensive data was reviewed. Information was compiled by Laura Lama with the City of WS; group discussed numbers, would like to see data regarding ethnicity, especially among Hispanics and would like to know actual street count number. Questioned the numbers on substance abuse and mental health as they don’t seem accurate.
Tim presented regarding CoC registration for the HUD grant that the community applies for yearly, the city is the collaborative applicant for the community. He has to register the CoC to let HUD know we intend to apply. Dan made a motion to register the CoC through the City application process, Alan seconded and all present approved. Tim anticipates the NOFA in May and grant submission could be as early as July. Group discussed concerns of federal government cuts to CDBG and HOME Program Grants.
Andrea discussed the next strategic plan, we received 6 proposals this time, Focus Strategies stood out from the others, they are considered the leaders in the nation on data informed strategic planning for homeless services, they are based in Sacramento, CA, and they are planning 3-4 meetings on site and webinars. They use local data to set the vision and achievable goals for the CoC. They have worked with us before around data. Their cost is $87,250; Andrea is in the process of solidifying funding. COEH needs to make the recommendation to the City to engage Focus Strategies, the City will then ask City Council to authorize a contract to do the work, the City has around $40,000 to go towards costs, and we also have a commitment from BB&T and in discussion with KBR and WS Foundation. If you work with an organization that could contribute please let Andrea know. The new plan will be completed in 6 months from signing of the contract; funds must be in place prior to completing the contract. Alan made a motion to move forward with recommending a contract with Focus Strategies, Dan seconded and all present approved.
Andrea would like to develop an oversight committee for strategic planning, this will be a working group, need reps from COEH (4) and the OC (6). Dan made a motion for 4 reps from COEH and 6 reps from the OC to form a strategic plan oversight committee, Ron seconded and all present approved. Alan volunteered to serve on the committee. Andrea will develop a job description and time expectations by next COEH meeting.
Chris’s term as Board Chair ended in January, he will stay on until a replacement is found, there is a recommendation and Andrea will meet with them at the end of the month and hopefully the Mayor will make a decision by next month.
Dan asked if a charter for this group existed and if it needed to be updated, it does exist and does not need to be updated.
All background information has been sent to the web designer for the CoC website, moving into the design aspect and should not take a long time to develop.

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned

Submitted by Kathleen Wiener, United Way