Transcript Missy Russell

Combining the time, talents, and resources of
multiple stakeholders to end Veteran
Homelessness in Pennsylvania
Presented By:
Missy Russell
Veterans Program Coordinator
Lawrence County Community Action Partnership
724-658-7258
[email protected]
Regional Veteran Services
• WHAT: A multi-funded, comprehensive program that ensures all
individuals with military experience (and their families) are afforded
the opportunity to secure and retain safe, affordable permanent
housing
• WHERE: Currently the programs are offered primarily in Western
Pennsylvania and impact efforts to end Veteran Homelessness in
three Pennsylvania CoCs (601,603,&509)
• WHY: No funding stream can address every concern or need; and
many funding streams require matching and leveraging that are
difficult to cultivate
• WHEN: LCCAP has been operating regional programming for eight
years. This particular effort was created in 2013.
• HOW: LCCAP administers all programming as well as deliver
services in Lawrence County. LCCAP contracts with organizations to
deliver services in their local community.
Regional Veteran Services
Current Funding Streams (WHAT)
• The Regional Veteran Services program originally began in 2013
with a Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) contract that
covered 7 Counties in Western Pennsylvania.
• In 2014, LCCAP applied for, and was awarded an Emergency
Solutions Grant (ESG) that exclusively serves Veterans in the original
seven Counties served by the SSVF contract, and added six
additional counties (total of 13 Counties served by ESG)
• In 2014, LCCAP applied for, and was awarded a Community Services
Block Grant (CSBG) Discretionary Grant to provide Paid Work and
Supported Work experiences for Veterans enrolled in our Housing
Programs in 8 counties.
• In 2015, LCCAP applied for, and was awarded a CoC Permanent
Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing Program for Veterans who
reside in 13 Counties in Northwest Pennsylvania
Regional Veterans Services
Footprint in Pennsylvania (WHERE)
Regional Veteran Services
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts (WHY)
• Each program had unique matching and/or leveraging requirements
• Local communities couldn’t access these important resources
without a way to meet the matching/leveraging requirements
• The HUD AAQ help desk, as will as PA DCED and our SSVF Regional
Coordinator were instrumental in providing answers, in writing,
regarding the eligibility of each program as match/leverage.
Match
Leveraging
Eligible to
Requirement Requirement be used as
Match
Eligible to
be used as
Leverage
SSVF
N/A
N/A
YES
YES
ESG
100%
N/A
NO
YES
CSBG
N/A
N/A
YES
YES
CoC-RRH
25%
150%
YES
YES
Regional Veteran Services
LCCAP Responsibilities (HOW)
– Apply for and administer all grants/contracts in compliance with
applicable funding entities
– RFP and award sub-contractors to capable, local service
providers
– Deliver services within Lawrence County, PA
– Fiscal oversight of all funds
– File/participant approval
– Timely invoicing of funding entities and timely reimbursement to
subcontractors
– Monitoring and training of all partners
Regional Veteran Services
Sub-Contractor Responsibilities (HOW)
–
–
–
–
Hire and train competent staff
Timely invoicing
Regular Uploads/Updates of Client Files
Participation in training/meetings as designated by
LCCAP
– Recruit and enroll participants
– Local and regional outreach where Veterans may be
engaged (VFWs, VAs, Shelters, Food Pantries, etc)
– Monthly case management and periodic
recertification's for eligibility
Regional Veteran Services
Innovative Tools for Managing the Program (HOW)
• Terminal Server
 Secured server access with user names and passwords
 Platform for sharing information pertaining to meeting information, program


user guides, forms, etc
Allows for real time monitoring of client files and financials by LCCAP
Allows access for desk monitoring by Regional Coordinators/Monitors
Regional Veteran Services Innovative
Tools for Managing the Program (HOW)
• Jot Form Invoicing
SSVF Invoices:
https://form.jotform.com/LCCAP/SSVF-Program-Invoice
https://form.jotform.com/LCCAP/SSVF-TFA-invoice
•User friendly
•Automatic notification via email of invoicing requests
from partners for Program (Personnel and labor costs)
and Temporary Financial Assistance for program
participants
Regional Veteran Services Innovative Tools
for Managing the Program (HOW)
Regional Veteran Services Innovative
Tools for Managing the Program (HOW)
• Bi-Monthly Go-To Meetings for Technical
•
•
Assistance (recorded and archived)
Electronic Communication
Excel Trackers
 Screening tab
 Master Client list
 Projection of Expenditures
 Monthly tabs containing TFA/FRA spent
 Actuals
 Linked spreadsheets for overall snapshot of program
expenditures
Regional Veteran Services Innovative Tools
for Managing the Program (HOW)
Regional Veterans
Program Value (HOW)
Program Resources
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (1 yr contract)
Emergency Solutions Grant (2 yr contract—1 yr value listed)
Community Services Block Grant (1 yr contract)
CoC-Rapid Rehousing
$858,000
$580,000
$105,000
$53,994
Annual Total Program Value
$1,642,994
Approximate annual budget per County
$165,000
Regional Veterans Program
Impact
• 687 Individuals served (396 Veterans) since 2013
• 44% served were extremely low income (under 30%
AMI)
• 51% of households served were literally homeless
• 96% of households exited successfully to permanent
housing
Success Stories
•
OIF homeless veteran and family displaced from Tampa, Florida living out of their van
referred to our program by a local homeless agency. Immediate assistance with
intensive case management was provided and the family obtained cash assistance,
food stamps, medical assistance, housing search, inspection, placement, and for
emergency shelter assistance, including connections to local VA benefits. Also utilized
was the Homeless Initiative for school placement which included free school
uniforms for their children. General Housing Stability funds provided bedding and
housing items. The time from initial application for services to housing placement
was 5 days. He secured a full time union job at a refractory company which matched
his military skill set.
•
A Vietnam Veteran facing eviction self-referred to our program. Our team
immediately began working on eliminating barriers to homelessness. Upon
assessment it was noted that he needed to gain employment to support his monthly
budget. He did not have a high school diploma or GED, and lacked computer skills, a
resume, as well as work history. Additionally, his general reading and comprehension
skills were very limited and he also had a criminal record. The SSVF team assisted
him with applying for his diploma through Operation Recognition, as well as with
seeking employment and obtaining mainstream resources to support his housing
stability. Over the span of two months the team assisted him with computer skills
and transportation. The team also advocated for him with employers and at local
establishments due to his criminal record. The Vet has obtained and maintained part
time employment, received his diploma, and is on his way to recovering from his
financial crisis. His success was noted in local media.
Motto: You’ve served us, let us serve you!
Regional Veterans Services