Homeless Census & Disaster Planning
Good Morning,
One big topic this week is the NC Point-in-Time count. The count is designed to provide data on the number of people living without stable housing. 25 Jan was designated as the day to count homeless people across the nation.
This count is required by US Department of HUD as part of its Continuum of Care (Targeted Programs for Homeless Persons) community planning process.
The Continuum of Care application for
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
funding requires CoCs to produce “statistically
reliable, unduplicated counts or estimates of
homeless persons in sheltered and unsheltered
locations at a one-day point in time” (2004
CoC application).
The count is required every other year; however, many, if not most, continuums of care are counting annually. There is discussion about the timing of the count. For instance, the Northwest CoC only counts homeless persons during the Winter; however, other CoC's in North Carolina like to get a Summer count also.
Arguably, there are different groups of people on the streets depending upon the warmth of the air. Families move more often in Summer when school is not in session & hardiness is not as large a concern. Winter may find singles squeezed out of shelter beds or losing housing due to slowdowns in outdoor employment. These are just a couple things to think about in documenting the shifting patterns of homelessness.
Pictures make an entry more interesting. When I write for this column pictures are something I search for. There are lots of pictures associated with art projects that either give exposure to expression by homeless people or seek to use art, usually professionally produced, to raise money to support services &/or systemic change. Sometimes these projects work for both goals.
Hospitality House tried a calendar sale featuring art (photos & drawings) produced by, or about homeless people. An interesting story, that was difficult to bear at the time, involved one resident that was angry about some real or perceived sleights--never did quite the straight dope on that--that became the focus of her project. This resident of transitional housing wove into her drawings and fabrics written accusations against housing program staff. Like I say, it was embarrassing at the time but I would be interested in seeing the pieces with today's eyes.
Anyway, click on the image above to learn about one random project merging the social issue of homelessness with artistic expression.
Beside counting homeless people, a lot of time was spent over the past couple weeks considering planning for disaster responses.
Next week will be the first meeting to revamp the NC Divison of MH/DD/SAS disaster plan. I am part of a group that intends to give direction to the lady that will write a state template. The template will eventually be distributed throughout the LME system & into the provider network. It promises to be exciting work & a great learning experience.
Because I'm always trying, in an unfocused and inconsistent manner, to get involved with crisis and disaster behavioral health I ended up in a "webinar" at Wilkes County Health Department the other day.
The program was a walk-through of regional plans to respond to a pandemic flu event. There were certainly some issues to consider--like what to do with all the bodies after the morgues are full. I kept thinking about the experience of Katrina-Rita and responses in New Orleans. One of the concerns to consider; "The mayor has just asked you [County EMA director/County Health Department Director] to 'close down the town' and not let anyone enter.", reminded me of the town outside New Orleans that used excessive force to block evacuees progress.
Anyway, there is plenty of information to look at. I will post a link dump of resources for disaster planning and response in the near future.
Forecast calls for snow this weekend--creating a great stay home & watch the Super Bowl situation. ENJOY!
