Chronic Homelessness Policy Academy
Mississippi Action Plan
Revised 04-11-03

1. Consumer Involvement

Goal: Increase consumer involvement in policy and program development

Strategy #1: Create forum of involvement of current or formerly homeless consumers in mainstream services statewide, including policy and program development.

Action Steps:

1-1

Identify mainstream services that include or are supposed to include consumers (mandated to or not). Use of three Continuums.

1-2

Identify best practice models for successfully involving consumers.

1-3

Provide training for consumers to empower.

1-4

Find ways to provide support for involvement (i.e., stipends travel and/or access to computers, etc).

1-5

Try to have more that one consumer on the policy academy. (completed)

2. Case Management/Outreach

Goal: Eliminate duplication and enhance coordination of case management/outreach services.

Strategy #1: Establish and operationalize a subcommittee – Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (ICC) on case management.

Action Steps:

1-1

Identify and convene meeting with current case management provider agencies (ICC) and outreach groups (to be completed by the Academy Group-AG).

1-2

Establish consensus on a definition of case management.

1-3

Conduct gap analysis.

1-4

Conduct quarterly meeting to strategize about removing barriers.

1-5

Determine how to tap into existing resources and models.

3. Housing

Goal: Increase adequate affordable, available and accessible housing and ensure access to housing.

Strategy #1: Conduct an inventory of existing housing stock.

Action Steps:

1-1

AG will identify existing resources—task them to bring to next meeting.

  • VA inventory
  • MDA
  • HomeCorp
  • PHA
  • HUD
  • ECD
  • Municipalities

1-2

Compile directory and establish clearinghouse (Home Corp).

1-3

Update directory on an on-going basis.

Strategy #2: Partner with/public and private agencies to facilitate linkages between mainstream services and housing.

Action Steps:

2-1

Identify agencies including mainstream services providers. (AG and 3 CoCs)

2-2

Provide education for AG about housing options/resources

  • meeting w/external consultant
  • meeting w/local agencies

2-3

Identify incentives for “buy-in”.

2-4

Create joint resolution for partners to sign.

2-5

Explore/Identify barriers to accessing housing.

Strategy #3: Explore capital resources

Action Steps:

3-1

Identify all existing job training programs and compile a list (used/unused).

3-2

Contact VA about foreclosed properties (Paul Matens).

3-3

Check TAC website www.tacinc.org about utilization of Section 8 vouchers.

3-4

Become knowledgeable of National Housing Trust Fund as a model. Contact external consultants for technical assistance.

Strategy #4: Developing a list of existing and new means of increasing housing for the homeless.

Action Steps:

4-1

Establish a subcommittee.

4. Coordination and Collaboration: Create coordinated statewide service system

Strategy #1: Advisory Council of Homeless Providers/Consumers

Action Steps:

1-1

Coordination of three Continuums; (MOUs, referral systems, etc.)

1-2

Identify/Recruit members form DOC, MDA, Employment & Training Division, State Health Officers/Consumer, Aletha Burge (3rd Continuum) Faith Based Representative.

1-3

Executive Order (After report submitted)

1-4


Set date for next meeting (February 21, 2003 – 2:00 p.m. – Jackson Medical Mall)

Strategy 2: Coordination of three Continuums; (MOUs, referral systems, etc.)

Action Steps:

2-1

Schedule meeting of three continuums

2-2

Develop and execute MOU.

2-3

Explore possibility of Joint HMIS.

2-4

Formal presentation to Advisory group.

2-5

Compile demographic information.

Strategy 3: Increase coordination and Collaboration between mainstream and targeted service systems;

Action Steps:

3-1

Identify stakeholders with authority (e.g., DHS, mental health, health department, DOC) particularly with statewide applications. MS primary health care assoc. (MPHCS)

3-2

Work w/ hospital association to determine # of homeless using emergency services.

3-3

Memorandum of cooperation at joint funding, removing barriers, etc.

3-4

Get letter from Governor.

3-5

SSA involvement

  • contact Paul Barnes about local representative to present at a meeting about SSA or for literature data;
  • explore grants from SSA for outreach w/homeless population
  • get SSA data on transient populations receiving SSI

Strategy 4: Review and remove internal and external access to barriers.

5. Establish an information management system.

Strategy #1: Create or identify a secure and accessible statewide HMIS system.

Action Steps:

1-1

Schedule meeting with three Continuums in state to discuss creating a statewide system.

1-2

Evaluate existing data tracking systems – ROMA, Service Point, Mental Health, etc. across the state.

6. Increase education and awareness among policy makers and general public.

Strategy # 1: Conduct a cultural sensitivity training for mainstream providers and public.

Action Steps:

1-1

Identify agencies most likely to come in contact with homeless individuals.

1-2

Establish a training tool for each group on sensitivity issues.

1-3

Expand Academy to include criminal justice representation.

1-4

Create a statewide website linked with/to a credible source.

7. Prevention of Chronic Homelessness

Strategy #1: Create prevention programs.

Action Steps:

1-1

Develop a list of current entities involving prevention.

1-2

Provide education and awareness training.

8. Increase employment opportunities and actual employment for homeless individuals

Strategy #1: Access existing Employment Programs

Action Steps:

1-1

Research existing job training programs in the state.

1-2

Contact Jim Lott from Employment & Training to join task force.

1-3

Look at best practices of job training, placement & retention programs to determine what best works for homeless population.

1-4

Channel WIN and other employment resources to homeless individuals through outreach and awareness.

Strategy #2: Develop job training program for homeless.

Action Steps:

2-1

Customize existing training programs to fit the needs for the homeless.

2-2

Develop an employment curriculum to be used by agencies that provide mainstream services for the homeless.