Family Services Meeting Minutes – 1/9/18
In attendance: Shelly Benoit, BHN, Yoshi Bird, YWCA, Ellen Broadhurst, West Springfield Public Schools, Doris Gonzalez, YWCA, Fran Lemay, Greenfield Family Inn, Heather Marshall, Elizabeth Freeman House, Lisandra Maysonet, YWCA, Donna Nadeau, DHCD, Jenni Pothier, Mental Health Association/TPP, Aisha Pizarro, YWCA, Steve Plummer, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Pamela Schwartz, Network, Janette Vigo, Way Finders, Melissa White, Valley Opportunity Council
DHCD Data Review and Discussion:
Thanks to Bill Bartosch and Andrew Pape of DHCD for their assistance in responding to data requests. Click here for the excel document provided by DHCD is a “work in progress” and allowed for additional brainstorming. Pamela will report back to Bill and Andrew these follow-up questions:
- For where families applied (the breakdown among Greenfield, Pittsfield and Springfield), we would like to also understand the town of origin for the families applying (i.e., there may be some discrepancy between where the application is filed and where the family is from).
- The family transfer number is not useful without more context (transfers within a program are also included in that number). The group is interested in the # of families from Western MA placed out of the region and the number of families from outside of Western MA placed within the region; they would also like to pull out transfers that occurred based on domestic violence.
- It was noted that the number of active families with DV history had to be wildly underreported (59 was the number drawn from HMIS – out of 600 beds – the group consensus is that this is nowhere close to accurate). The question was raised about whether it was possible to add to HMIS a question when the family is exiting shelter re: “has the family member experienced DV either before or since the date of entry?” (recognizing that many people may not feel comfortable reporting DV at the initial intake). We discussed the barriers of data entry insofar as “new” DV cannot be captured in HMIS – beyond a “touch point” (aka case note) – without going into the initial assessment and changing the data – this is extremely cumbersome for case workers and contributes to missed reporting.
- Housing status upon exit: the group would like to add this data set to the monthly template.
At the next meeting, we will hope to have a more formalized template in an easier-to-distribute format.
Puerto Rico evacuees: We were not able to obtain updated data to share. We know families are still arriving and FEMA is expiring imminently; it is anticipated that this will place a huge demand on the EA system. MEMA, DHCD and other state agencies are meeting regularly.
State budget update: Youth funding has been released by the Governor but it’s unclear how it will be distributed (via an RFP?). RAFT funds for individuals has also been released although it’s not yet at Way Finders.
Network Evaluation project: Pamela provided an update on the consultant working with the Network to help evaluate the best use of the Network going forward. She distributed the interview questions and encouraged everyone to provide their input. She will send the information electronically as well. She encouraged people to attend the Network meeting on 2/12, 1-4 pm, Kittredge Center, HCC, to further engage in this effort to help shape the Network going forward.
Coordinated entry discussion with DV and shelter providers: Gerry McCafferty hosted a meeting for the Hampden County CoC DV providers and EA shelter providers to begin to tackle the challenge of connecting both systems to create a coordinated entry process. The first step is for the DV providers to assess how many of their population meet the criteria for chronically homeless (and therefore eligible for permanent supportive housing).
Homelessness Resource Fair – June 14. We agreed we would start our planning process for this event at our next meeting in Feb.
Next meeting date: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 9:30-11 am, Northampton Senior Center.
