[homeles_ot-l] FW: Updates from The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness

Tue Apr 13 23:57:27 EDT 2010

FYI.

________________________________

From: Quest AbolitionistRoundTable [mailto:quest at abolitionistroundtable.com] 
Sent: April 13, 2010 5:46 PM
To: Quest AbolitionistRoundTable
Subject: Updates from The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness

 <http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/16.png> 

INNOVATION . . . INFORMATION . . . INSPIRATION . . .

  April 13, 2010                                           Issue VII  

April 13, 2010

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM PHILIP MANGANO

Thanks to so many of you for asking about my mother's health. As she nears her 92nd birthday, I have had the great privilege of being with her for most of the past year. As her health has been challenged in mobility and memory, eating and energy, her resilient self-sufficient independence has given way to vulnerability and dependency. As that shift has happened, her spirit has evolved to a more accepting, compassionate, and loving place. 

Part of that evolution has been occasioned by the patient and unconditional support she now receives around the clock from three wondrous Brazilian-American women who personify, as best as I can reckon, the qualities of angels, if they were human. 

After living on her own by choice for so many decades, my mother needed support. And the question became how to put the "supportive" into her housing. Our Brazilian "angels" answered the call.

Even with recent difficulties and obstacles, her good days are better than ever, spiritually measured. Her three children now vie for her attention and the affect she still retains in her best hours and days is filled with a smiling countenance, supportive words, and some biting humor.

Last week we arranged for her to host her older sister, younger brothers and youngest sister at a "pizza and story and cake" party at her house. These four now represent 352 years of kinship and memories. And the stories were great, including the one where my mom's younger brother read her diary to her mother. Couldn't figure, though, what that "isskay" word was!

Last week she celebrated Easter with family at her favorite restaurant in Boston. And we are hopeful that we shall celebrate her 92nd birthday in a few weeks.

For years she was the most consistent financial supporter of a variety of homeless initiatives, including the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance. She understood simply and viscerally that some people not having a place to live was a shame and that something should be done about it. 

I am so fortunate to have this time with her. Interrupted only occasionally by travel to continue the rapid dissemination of innovation, the focus is her comfort. She's the priority now. Later there will be others.

In the middle of her efforts to ensure expansion of suffrage, one of my heroes, Susan B. Anthony, stopped crusading for 3 years to care for her ailing father. She is a model in so many things in our efforts to undo social wrong, she has more to teach than we know. One thing she knew: "Failure is impossible." My mom would agree.

 rwagmcgrad<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/55.jpg> "WORK WORKS": READY, WILLING & ABLE FUNDED TO SEEK REPLICATION 

Through a foundation grant encouraging replication of the signature employment initiative of The Doe Fund, Ready, Willing & Able, the time for the rapid dissemination of this consumer-oriented "jobs first" initiative is here. The Doe Fund is open to hearing from cities who want to implement an employment program targeted to addicted street homeless persons and those existing prisons and jails. To get a sense of the impact of Ready, Willing & Able, go to www.doe.org and hear the men themselves tell their stories. George McDonald is pictured here at the recent RWA graduation.

 hmcrwagrad<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/56.jpg> Ready, Willing, & Able (RWA) is an employment, housing, and recovery initiative that is field-tested and evidence-based and targets men with long histories of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. The Doe Fund's Founder and President George McDonald, and Vice President Harriet McDonald have created a highly replicable employment-based strategy for those who are "ready to change their lives, willing to follow rules, and able to work." Harriet McDonald is pictured here during the RWA graduation. 

RWA has successfully graduated over 3,960 individuals to date with key metrics of success measured as housing stability, employment, and sobriety. 80% have addiction histories, and 60% have been incarcerated.  

 mcdrwagrad<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/57.jpg> RWA is a key focus of the rapid dissemination of innovation strategy to which The American Round Table is committed. "Ready, Willing & Able is an innovative initiative that demonstrates the pursuit of partnership, resources, and solutions," indicated Round Table President Philip Mangano, who has hosted RWA in meeting with interested jurisdictional leaders. "It benefits the consumer by providing proven tools to stabilize and contribute. It benefits the public purse by breaking the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and recidivism." Harriet and George McDonald are shown here during the RWA graduation ceremony. 

"I've known George and Harriet since they were handing out sandwiches in Grand Central Station and I was doing the same at a breadline in downtown Boston. As it did for me, the direct contact with homeless people for years allowed us to hear clearly what they wanted - a place to live and a job." 

Blue uniforms distinguish participants in their workday: they are often called the "men in blue" as they go about their jobs cleaning downtown streets in New York and Philadelphia. They follow a structured program of community living, counseling, recovery, and employment to reach their goals. RWA data show that the work and training programs - which include social entrepreneurship and revenue-generating businesses - reduce arrests, convictions, and jail sentences. In the two years after release, RWA graduates are half as likely to be arrested for felonies or misdemeanors, and are half as likely to be arrested or convicted for a drug crime.  

PATHWAYS TO HOUSING: HOUSING FIRST GOES WORLDWIDE!
 2010 Sam Tsemberis<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/58.jpg> "The Housing First model is simple: provide housing first, and then combine that housing with supportive treatment services in the areas of mental and physical health, substance abuse, education, and employment," says Dr. Sam Tsemberis, whose Pathways to Housing program is recognized worldwide as the model for Housing First initiatives. "The scattered site housing model fosters a sense of home and self-determination, and it helps speed the reintegration of Pathways' clients into the community. " Pathways' housing retention rate is 85%. Dr. Tsemberis is shown here. 

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration named Pathways as an evidence-based practice to be included in SAMHSA's national registry of practices. In addition to its New York headquarters, Pathways to Housing now has program offices in Washington DC and Philadelphia.  The Pathways Housing First model has been replicated in more than 40 cities across the United States, as well as in Canada and Portugal, and other countries in Europe and elsewhere are examining the innovation. 

"The Pathways model has been remarkably successful in addressing chronic homelessness," indicated Round Table President Philip Mangano. "It is a key focus of the rapid dissemination of innovation strategy to which The American Round Table is committed because it is consumer-focused and evidence-based." 

Dr. Tsemberis, as director of a New York outreach program, recognized that "business as usual" was not working for the consumer. He pioneered the consumer-centric model in New York City with a focus on immediate housing opportunity to end homelessness, consumer choice in services, and without treatment or sobriety requirements. Pathways' New York initiative has expanded from 50 individuals to over 1,000. 

Housing First ends homelessness and supports recovery for individuals who are homeless and have severe psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring substance use disorders. Because Pathways does not follow a linear model or forward traditional program requirements for individuals, chronically homeless individuals can be engaged directly from the streets and shelters and moved to permanent supportive housing. Decreases are reported in emergency room visits, contacts with law enforcement, and psychiatric hospitalizations for those who are housed. 

A key component of Pathways' model and fidelity to its approach is that treatment and support services are available 24/7 through a multi-disciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team consisting of social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, vocational and substance abuse counselors, peer counselors, and other professionals.  

SAN JOSE ADVANCES INNOVATIVE PREVENTION CENTERS AS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY FOR TEN YEAR PLAN
 2010 San Jose Keys<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/64.jpg> Jurisdictional partners gathered for the recovening of Northern California Keys by partners from the City of San Jose and The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness heard the latest results of San Jose's initiatives as Mayor Chuck Reed and Housing Director Leslye Krutko welcomed partners to focus on the rapid dissemination of innovations that show "what works." Ms. Krutko is shown here briefing the Keys attendees, with Mayor Reed and American Round Table President Philip Mangano at right.

California Keys represents the convening of 10-Year Plan jurisdictions focused on peer-to-peer discussion of jurisdictional issues, challenges, and results: what's working to motivate political will and end homelessness. . . and what's not. Keys has convened this year in both Northern and Southern California and will be the focus of a future update. 

 2010 SANJOSE Room<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/65.jpg> Ms. Krutko reported to the Northern California partners (shown here) that, in 2008, the City of San Jose and County of Santa Clara joined forces to create Destination: Home, a public-private partnership implementing key strategies to end homelessness in Santa Clara County. Two of the initiatives included the creation of two One Stop Homeless Prevention Centers and a Medical Respite Center. Established at EHC LifeBuilders' Boccardo Reception Center, which focuses its efforts on chronically homeless individuals, and at InnVision's Georgia Travis Center, which focus its efforts on homeless families and those at risk of homelessness, the One Stop Homeless Prevention Centers provide comprehensive co-located services to hundreds of clients each day. Both multi-service centers provide homeless and at risk residents with an array of services, including medical services, benefits enrollment, job search and placement, housing location and financial assistance, workshops, case management, food, and more. In addition the Housing Authority of Santa Clara County partnered with Destination: Home to issue 200 Section 8 vouchers each year for chronically homeless individuals. 

The One Stop Homeless Prevention Center at the Boccardo Reception Center offers a seamless provision of services from emergency to permanent housing, as well as a Medical Respite Center. Paid for by a partnership of local hospitals and medical centers, the Medical Respite Center provides 15 beds for homeless individuals discharged from the hospital or emergency room a safe, clean environment to recover, recuperate, connect to benefits and locate housing rather than return to the street or other uninhabitable area. The City of San Jose recently received a federal grant to increase the number of beds at the Center from 15 to 20.

Since December 2008, accomplishments of Destination: Home and the One Stop Homeless Prevention Centers include: assisted over 1800 households obtain or maintain permanent housing;  assisted over 400 chronically homeless men and women secure permanent housing; enrolled over 415 clients in intensive One Stop program services; helped over 650 clients access mainstream services; provided over 600 clients with career counseling and employment assistance; provided Medical Respite Care to 122 homeless patients; and avoided 440 hospital bed days, resulting in an $880,000 cost savings to local hospital systems.

HOSPITALITY AND SUPPORT ARE KEY TO WOMEN'S LUNCH PLACE
 2010 WLP Room<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/59.jpg> "The values central to the long history and work of the Women's Lunch Place - that no individual should have to be hungry or homeless, each woman treated with dignity and respect, met where she is, welcomed in a warm environment, and supported by 'a community of understanding and acceptance among guests, staff, volunteers and board members,' are ones I have long respected," indicated American Round Table President Philip Mangano, who addressed the Boston program's Board of Directors and Advisory Committee. Mr. Mangano is shown here during his remarks. 

Since 1982, Women's Lunch Place, created by Jane Alexander and Eileen Reilly, has supported both homeless and poor women and their children at the Church of the Covenant on Newbury Street in downtown Boston, better known for its high-end shopping and dining. 

 2010 WLP Grp<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/61.jpg> Mangano also affirmed the long volunteerism of Board President Sarah Monaco. "It is so good to be here with your Executive Director, Sharon Reilly, who has worked so hard on the partnerships that will move the Lunch Place to the next chapter in its long history. I have enjoyed my visits and tours with Sharon, and look forward to more as she goes forward with evaluation measures and strategic planning." Shown here are (left to right): Board Chair Sarah Monaco, Executive Director Sharon Reilly, Mr. Mangano, and Advisory Committee Chair Sally Bachman.

The Women's Lunch is committed to adopting a comprehensive evaluation system to measure the impact of its services as well as creating a 3-5 year strategic plan. Mangano commended the Board's attention to the work of Boards that have made strategic housing-oriented decisions to refocus mission on innovation, including nearby Quincy's Father Bill's Place, Hartford's Immaculate Conception Shelter and Housing Corporation, Knoxville, Tennessee's Volunteer Ministry Center, and Preble Street in Portland, Maine.

Among the services offered at Women's Lunch Place are a Wellness Program with both prevention and intervention services. Nurses and doctors, including from Boston Healthcare for the Homeless are on-site to assist with immediate needs. Medical case managers on-site assist guests with Medicaid and other benefits, as well as with appointments and followup. Women's Lunch Place is seeking to provide additional intervention services related to dental, eye, mental health, nutrition, and foot care. 

Guests also can participate in yoga classes, massages, reiki, meditation, and stress-management groups. The final piece of the Wellness Program includes information dissemination. Guests have requested more information regarding diseases and how they can better take care of their health, and Women's Lunch Place makes available information in multiple languages on cancer (breast, cervical, ovarian, lung), heart disease, and diabetes. 

LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS TEN YEAR PLAN PARTNERS CONVENE SECOND 10-YEAR PLAN CONFERENCE WITH FOCUS ON ECONOMIC RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS 

 2010 Lowell Grp<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/62.jpg> "I am so glad to be here to affirm the replicable and creative work going on in Lowell to ensure that employment, education, and benefits reach consumers through the city's 10-Year Plan strategy," affirmed Philip Mangano, President and CEO of The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness. Mr. Mangano noted the presence at the conference of University of Massachusetts Chancellor and former Congressman Marty Meehan, underscoring his ongoing partnership on key issues, first as Congressman and now as a partner from academia. Shown here are (left to right): Chancellor Meehan, Mr. Mangano, and Assistant City Manager Adam Baacke. 

 2010 Lowell PFM<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs023/1102575355806/img/63.jpg> As he did at the October 2009 launch of Lowell's series of implementation conference, Mr. Mangano keynoted the second of a year-long series of conference as the "City of Mills" continues to implement the Ten Year Plan unveiled in June 2008. Partners from across the region convened for the "Keys to Ending Homelessness" conference at the University of Massachusetts Conference Center. "In 2008 I joined Mayor Caulfield and City Manager Lynch, as the new Ten Year Plan was rolled out. I appreciate the Mayor's focus on the needs of the most vulnerable. I would like to take some of City Manager Lynch's DNA and spread it around the country to replicate the creative work going on in Lowell." 

Mr. Mangano especially commended Linda King, City of Lowell Community Development Specialist "who has worked so hard on the Ten Year Plan and on this important implementation series of conferences which kick off today." He affirmed the partnership at work in the implementation conferences, noting especially Marianne Pelletier, Welfare-to-Work Coordinator for the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office Staff.  

"Massachusetts has long provided examples that are field-tested and evidence-based to demonstrate employment outcomes, business partnerships, and strategic use of resources, ensuring that no resources that can help end homelessness are left on the table," indicated Mangano. He also pointed to the mayoral 10-Year Plans of other jurisdictions, including New York City's Advantage Academy where enrollees earn college degrees, and New Britain's Employer to Employer Network integral to its 10-Year Plan.   

Lowell's Ten Year Plan focused on several key strategies: prevent homelessness; end individual and street homelessness; rapidly re-house families who become homeless and minimize the impact of homeless on children; identify at-risk youth and end youth homelessness; ensure that seniors can age in the community in peace and safety; move beyond shelter to housing; develop employment and educational assets; and administer and oversee the Action Plan, measure progress and evaluate success. 

In addition, the Plan embraced Housing First/Rapid Re-housing, called for local cost-benefit analysis study, prioritized prevention and intervention, had specific strategies to prevent and end homelessness among veterans, adopted the Four Tier Model for reducing homelessness identified in the Massachusetts Commission Report, and committed to an annual Project Homeless Connect event. 

You are receiving this issue of The American Round Table as we make our partners aware of new initiatives to prevent and end homelessness. To subscribe yourself or a colleague for future issues, click here to join our mailing list. <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102575355806&id=preview> 

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