BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

HOMELESS INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUUM OF CARE BOARD

January 10, 2018 MEETING MINUTES

Time Called to Order: Time Adjourned: Location: Minutes By:

10:07 AM 11:54 AM Broward County Governmental Center, Annex, A-337

DeJesus, Luis - HIP

Members Present Guests Present Staff Present

Bakalar, Howard - Advocate for the Homeless Campbell, Tom - Ex-Officio- BPHI CoC Board Rep. Costas, Jamie - Ft Lauderdale PD CoC Board Rep. Costello, Keith - Chamber of Commerce Rep. DiMarzo, Scott - North District Hospital CoC Board Rep. Garcia, Tiffany - Broward County Housing Authority Hattan, Caryl - Chair, Housing Council Rep. Hernandez, Maria - United Way CoC Board Rep. Korman, Mark - City of Pompano Beach Rep. Lopez, Yvette - HUD ESG Recipient CoC Board Rep. Martin, Robin - Vice Chair, Advocate for the Homeless Osley, Danny - Formerly Homeless CoC Board Rep. Palaez, Danay - Women in Distress CoC Board Rep. - (On phone) Perry, Debbie - HPSC Chair, CoC Board Rep. Pontillo, Frank - Advocate for the Homeless Quintana, Silvia – BBHC CoC Board Rep. Rich, Nan - Commissioner District 1 Russell, Scott - BSO CoC Board Rep. (over)

Banner, Melissa – Homeless Education Program Chung, Dwayne – Hollywood Police Department Jones, Jaid – HOPE South Florida Folwkes, Shira – BRHPC Gallardo, Lilly – The Salvation Army Gossman, Alyse – The Salvation Army Nicholas, Janet – Catholic Charities Plancher, Elissa – Broward Behavioral Health Coalition Rafailovict, Edward – Broward Sheriff’s Office/Homeless Outreach Team/Crisis Intervention Rosendorf, Stephanie – Commissioner Nan Rich’s Office Stenger, George – Fort Lauderdale Police Department/ Homeless Outreach Team Taveras, Zelimna – Kids in Distress Trincanello, Renee – Covenant House Williams, Gisselle – HOPE South Florida

Wright, Michael – HIP McGuire, Rebecca – HIP Maloney, Arnold – HIP DeJesus, Luis – HIP County Attorney: Thorsen, Sharon

Trantalis, Dean - Commissioner, City of Fort Lauderdale, CoC Board Rep. Werthman, Steve - Advocate for the Homeless Whitworth, James - Ex-Officio - NHAC/SHAC CoC Board Rep. Wilby, Lorraine - HPSC Vice Chair CoC Board Rep.

Members Absent Harrigan, Luke - Faith Based Rep. Mitchell, Carole - Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team Program Rep.

Item Action/Discussion/Recommendations Status/Party Responsible

I. Introduction/ Call to Order

II. Roll Call &

Quorum

CoC Board Chair, Caryl Hattan, called the meeting to order. Luis DeJesus called the roll and quorum was confirmed.

C. Hattan, Chair L. DeJesus, HIP

III. Approval of Minutes

MOTION: Scott Russell SECOND: Debbie Perry RESULT: Minutes were approved as is.

IV. New Business Caryl: named newly appointed/reappointed CoC members. Update on 2019 PIT/HIC Count Shira Fowlkes: PIT Count Update – volunteer registration still open; overnight count on the 23rd; the 24th is a full day count; make up day and Youth Event on the 27th; the focus is on youth 18-24 and will partnering up with 33311 Walk who will have a DJ, entertainment, food, and much more; bus passes will be provide for those who have transportation issues; 160 volunteers already registered, with goal of 250; will be on NBC on 6 on the Mix with Michael talking about PIT Count; shelter committee point of contact is Esau Williams; HIC online form hoping to be available. Michael: The Housing Inventory Count (homeless program beds) form available online. Jay Ellis (HMIS): Mr. Hajassdolah is no longer with HMIS; Jay is HMIS point of contact jellis@broward.org or 954-357-5433; HMIS Project Manager and Contract Grants Administrator position are available. FY 2019 RFP for Homeless Services Michael: Asked Board Members if any had a Conflict to declare and advised that anyone currently funded or

S. Fowlkes, BRHPC M. Wright, HIP

anticipate getting funding must declare conflict, not participate in this discussion, and cannot vote. Advised that CHAC and NHAC include County owned facilities, but SHAC does not – operations only; emergency shelter services are moving to Low-Barrier; for the first time, this RFP process included provider focus group feedback, NAEH Crisis Shelter were incorporated as applicable so there will be “new” expectations; most of the services have gone out to bid in the past; in addition to a shift to Low-Barrier Emergency Shelter, the Child Welfare Family Permanent Housing Pilot is a new. HIP will request a minimum of 3 CoC Board Members to participate as Quality Raters.

Funding Category

Program Category

Service Category Estimated Available

Funds Fiscal Year 2019

HIP

Behavioral Health

Shelter plus Care Supportive Services

$439,725

Emergency Shelter

Behavioral Health Safe Haven $835,375

Family Community Based Overflow Coordination

$150,931

Individual Low Demand Beds $285,850

Homeless Coordinated

Entry and Assessment

Homeless Street Outreach $312,625

Permanent Housing

Rapid-Re-housing – Family $880,968

Transitional Housing

Child Welfare Family Diversion $240,000

COURT Project $237,689

Targeted Substance Use Disorder Transitional Housing (TSUDTS)

$244,975

HIP Subtotal: $3,628,138

HIP HACs

Emergency Shelter (Low Barrier Model)

Central Homeless Assistance Center $3,039,530

North Homeless Assistance Center $2,689,121

South Homeless Assistance Center $1,585,880

HIP HAC Subtotal: $7,314,531

HIP Total $10,942,669

Robin: How does it differ from previous RFP? Michael: Shift towards Low-Barrier Emergency Shelter, modified outcomes, new Service – Child Welfare Family Pilot and slight increase in total funding from the last two years of 2.5% plus adjustments of an average 9% for the HACs.

MOTION: Robin Martin DECLARED CONFLICT: Steve Werthman, HOPE South Florida – receives and likely will apply for funding. Tiffany Garcia, Broward County Housing Authority – we deal with the Shelter Plus Care Program. Debbie Perry, Broward Behavioral Health – receives funding and may apply under funding categories. Danay Palaez, Women in Distress – we are looking at applying. Dean Trantalis, City of Fort Lauderdale – we are looking to apply for funding under categories. Danny Osley, Broward Partnership – we receive funding. Senator Nan Rich, Broward County – we receive administrative fees for implementation. Jaime Costas, City of Fort Lauderdale – we are looking to apply. Lorraine Wilby, TaskForce – we receive funding. James Whitworth, Ex-Officio – cannot vote on matter nor partake in discussion. Tom Campbell, Ex-Officio – cannot vote on matter nor partake in discussion. SECOND: Scott Russell DISCUSSION: Keith: What did we just approve? Caryl: Putting services out for bid as indicated in chart. Maria: It appears that those who did not vote would be the ones to know about these services and how much should be allotted for each, so it does not make sense. Michael: HUD’s Conflict of interest rules for CoC Board Members do not allow it. However, HIP staff met with Providers in Focus groups and discussed at HPSC meetings and other CoC committees which include providers; it goes to the PONG Committee, and then the full CoC Board. The County Commission approved HACs and other provider’s increase. Robin: It appears that there was a standard increase with no substantive changes. Steve: Was there a committee that reviewed it? Michael: The PONG Committee first reviewed the RFP in August, and then the Providers provided feedback in December. While the PONG did not meet in November or

December, it did not discuss additional funding or reallocations. RESULT: Passed. CoC Board Elections Michael: The CoC Board delayed electing a Chair and Vice Chair serve from October to September to this meeting; so would anyone like to make nominations and then a vote on the nominations. MOTION: Scott Russell: I re-nominate Caryl for Chair and Senator Nan Rich as Vice Chair. SECOND: Silvia Quintana DISCUSSION: Steve Werthman: Just an observation that historically it is one government official or public representative and another from private sector. Michael: Advising that the term starts today and ends this September. RESULT: Passed.

C. Hattan, Chair

V. Old Business 2017 HUD CoC Program Application Update Caryl: No update to report. Update on “A Way Home” Charrette Reports from CSH Rebecca: Proposal made to retain CSH in updating “A Way Home” plan; NAEH 2-hour webinar on the 16th and 18th providing feedback; please RSVP; discharge planning coordination forthcoming. Silvia: Can we access webinar online? Rebecca: We will be working on having that access via GoToMeeting. Dean: Can you educate us on the current status of discharge planning process and folks having A Way Home plan? Michael: Creating the formal discharge plan is in process. Currently, folks who are discharged from jail could exit and make contact with Homeless Helpline and will either get connected to overnight bed or Outreach; with hospitals for example, BBHC is working with Continuum to coordinate discharge from crisis stabilization units, resident treatment facilities, and detox units; for Broward County detox, the

C. Hattan, Chair R. McGuire, HIP

Family Success Housing Options Program enters client information into HMIS; for the Court Project, we have two formal plans – 1) housing and services for folks who commit and engage in care 2) discharge diversion from jail to the homeless programs; hospital and child welfare formal plans forthcoming. Dean: Are there any folks who slip through the cracks? Michael: As in every system, there are some who do. Lorraine: TaskForce, for about six years, have 15 behavioral health institutions, who referred directly to us and we triage clients, and we usually keep people extra days so they get access to the services they need. Michael: This is in place at a provider level; however, we want to take it to the system level. Silvia: BBHC has been working closely with the Continuum in setting up our frontend crisis detox units to access as soon as possible during the lowest point in the system; last year we identified approximately 850 people as homeless according to our provider network with 106 identified meeting HUD criteria; 59 were referred to housing programs; we housed in permanent housing, 5 individuals. Dean: What happened to the rest? Silvia: There is a drop-off in the system that BBHC and the County has been trying to mainstream because of educational issues, data that needs to be collected and entered for the HUD program qualifications; we have been working getting information into the system so that housing providers have what they need to work quicker; this is an example on how collaboration works more efficiently. Scott: There are two difference sets of rules, one from DCF and the other from HUD and it is a matter of blending them so that HUD can work with the States and DCF so that the system can work better. Update on Crisis Shelter Recommendation Reports from NAEH Rebecca: No update to report.

R. McGuire, HIP

VI. CoC Board Update

Caryl: I would, again, like to welcome our new members, and our Vice Chair, Commissioner Nan Rich; Board retreat may take place of May’s meeting; there is also a scheduling of the HACs site visit forthcoming.

C. Hattan, Chair

VII. HIP/CoC Administrator’s Report

Michael: I. provided update on the Misdemeanor Mental Health Court: persons who are arrested for low-level crimes, it is not cost or recovery effective. There are two tracts: 1 – COURT Project for persons willing to engage in treatment; and 2 – for those not willing to engage in care. These persons are diverted to the Homeless System; care is coordinated by the licensed mental health social worker who does an eligibility checklist, LOCUS is completed, and if the person was homeless before they went into mental health court and do not want to engage into the formal court plan, they are referred the HACs, Salvation Army, or Behavioral Health Safe Haven Program; the transport is facilitated by the Broward Sherriff’s Office, an intake is done once in the Homeless System, a housing plan is developed, VI-SPIDAT is completed, and then referred to appropriate permanent housing intervention; training was completed yesterday with the licensed mental health social worker, shelters which will be memorialized in a process flow chart; this will be the first model we have and we use for other systems moving forward; the judge is very receptive to this. II. The CoC’s recommended encampment policy approved in October has been referred back to CoC to develop and make a more specific Policy recommendation and to develop an abatement process for transmission to the County Commission via the Advisory Board communication process. III. Ebony Betterson has accepted HIP’s open position as Office Support Specialist; we are wrapping up hiring for the Human Services Manager position. IV. For the Board retreat in May, it will include strategizing the results from the Charrette recommendations to update the “A Way Home” plan. Debbie: Will information on existing homeless services by providers as a way to educate Board members be presented during retreat? Michael: We should probably do that before the Board’s “A Way Home” Plan retreat. Caryl: I was actually going to recommend we have short presentations ongoing. Nan: We find it to be very effective in our Coordinating Council of Broward.

M. Wright, HIP

Michael: Did you want to present in February? Debbie: Sure. V. We are working with Broward Outreach Center, the City of Pompano, and the City of Hollywood to subsidize beds that could be otherwise lost because BOC has an operating deficit; BOC Board was looking to phase out beds starting January 1st but that has been postponed. VI. Broward County Human Resources is hosting an Open House on Friday, January 12th 11am-4pm at the Main Library so if you have any clients who may be eligible, refer them to apply for openings. VII. The CoC Board Sunset Review of Admin Code has

still not been scheduled before the Board to my knowledge.

Sharon: The Sunset Review ordinances and resolutions are moving forward, but the recommendations related to this Board have been pulled out to be address independently to the overall Sunset recommendations. Frank: Is there any update on people being discharged sick into the shelter system, respite care, or talks between the hospitals and shelters about this? Lorraine: The medical discharge does not have anywhere to discharge, the Helpline has the 3-night beds, but the Helpline will not take discharges unless the person mentions nothing concerning discharge. Frank: There seems to be, perhaps, a lack of funding for there to be something available for them to get into. Michael: An issue like this, a gap, should be referred over to the PONG Committee; I would inform the Board that medical respite beds are available at Broward House, Healthcare for the Homeless also had some respite beds but there were contractual issues. Scott DiMarzo: There are still some issues to work out. Robin: It appears that folks getting discharged are healthy enough to get discharged, but still medically needy with and number of issues.

Scott DiMarzo: We have been looking at discharges to ensure those being discharge should have been properly. Debbie: Any idea when the legal issues may be resolved? Scott DiMarzo: Not at this time; the process involved requires time unfortunately. Debbie: Is there anything that this Board can do? Scott DiMarzo: No. Steve: There has been a chronic need for medical respite beds for some time, and what this Board can do is recommend funding or look into matter further; why are public funds not available to fund care? Scott DiMarzo: Public funds are available for indigent care; we can only provide medical care at outpatient facilities for indigent persons through contracts acquired over the years with their restrictions. Robin: We did not talk, in the PONG Committee, about how last year’s Charrette feedback indicated where we could place more money into when other areas of Continuum have enough funding; so we can hope to do that this year. Scott DiMarzo: The issues are more bureaucratic rather than funding issues.

VIII. Local Coalition

Arnold: No update to report. A. Maloney, HIP

IX. Committee Reports/ Updates

a. PONG: Committee did not meet in November or December, but with new members on the Board, we are hoping for more participation moving forward. Caryl: Who can participate? Michael: Silvia Quintana, Keith Costello, Maria Hernandez, and Scott DiMarzo. Robin: We can let the Committee decide on Chair, and survey group for best date and time to meet moving forward.

b. Permanent Housing: In December’s meeting, the hot topic was the Charrette; one of the things we are working on is holding a homeless caregiver affinity workgroup on February 15th which will become a

R. Martin, Chair T. Campbell, Chair

quarterly meeting and is for case managers to do training sessions and share resources.

c. Coordinated Assessment Workgroup: We are taking

the recommendations from NAEH on front door coordinated assessment and updating our written policies and procedures; this will be brought to the Board once completed.

d. Consumer Advocacy: Based on email sent out by

Debbie, we have been able to get new members on the committee; later on this year, we will be looking at out 3rd Symposium which may include both sheltered and unsheltered; we have become aware that the population gathering at Stranahan Park has double and we are keeping an eye on that.

e. Homeless Youth and Families: (given by Melissa Banner) Mission and Vision being of committee being formulated; next meeting is on January 25th; the BCPS update includes serving 2,366 students of which are 1,269 displaced (a decrease since some families are moving back to their countries); school year 2016/2017 to with 2,746.

f. Ad Hoc Central Fort Lauderdale Action: Meeting was cancelled due to lack of attendance; we would like Danny to come and tell us what he is doing at Stranahan; this committee is meant to continue moving the priorities approved last year as the top 8, which have now become 7 since 2 dealt with ordinances.

Keith: Can we have an update on priorities? Robin:

Issue Options

1. Insufficient Day Respite Center availability

Advocate for establishing a new Homeless Day Respite in the central Fort Lauderdale area.

2. Lack of Personal Property Storage area/service(s)

Advocate for establishing a new Personal Property Storage Area/Service in the central Fort Lauderdale area.

3. Establishment of an Advisory Group of Business and Faith-Based individuals, organizations and companies

4. Increased access to a) restrooms b) showers

Advocate for increased access to restrooms and additional shower resources.

S. Werthman, Chair D. Osley, Chair C. Mitchell, Chair R. Martin, Chair

5. Reduce/Eliminate Enforcement of No Trespass Ordinances and tagging of personal properties

Advocate for reducing and/or eliminating enforcement/promulgation of No Trespass Ordinance(s) and tagging for disposal/confiscation of person’s experiencing homelessness personal property.

6. Adopt clear position supporting constructive alternatives to criminalization of homelessness

Advocate that Fort Lauderdale, in line with Broward County adopt Broward County Homeless Continuum of Care Board’s (CoC) proposed recommendations in its April 7, 2017 letter to the Board of County Commissioners regarding constructive alternative solutions to the criminalization of homelessness.

7. Increased coordination of Food Sharing

Advocate to all organizations providing meals that they coordinate meal sharing activities consistent with Broward County Homeless Continuum of Care Board’s (CoC) proposed recommendations in its April 7, 2017 letter to the Board of County Commissioners regarding constructive alternative solutions to the criminalization of homelessness.

Michael: On #3, we have had a meeting with Bob Swindle from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and group is being formed via United Way; Fran, Debbie, and I did a presentation at Tower Forum on homelessness in December; I met with Andre Bailey who used to be the CEO of the CoC in Central Florida and Greater Alliance who have contracted with HIP to provide them with suggestions on dealing with homelessness. Caryl: Lilly Gallardo will provide update on day shelter. Lilly: We have had conversations with the City of Fort Lauderdale for a while now in regard to funding; there is a facility that is available, but we are just missing the funding; we are also looking at prefabricated [indistinct]; the idea is to not only have people come in during the day but also be able to link them to services while they are there. Robin: Hope South Florida has also been working on day respite.

X. Homeless Providers & Stakeholders Council

Debbie: There is no meeting in January, but when we met in December, we talked about permanent supportive housing during presentation where providers shared what they were doing with the HPSC members; we shared our concerns about vacancies in PSH, and suggestions were made on how to address that; next meeting on February 7th; the subcommittee of HPSC is working on the encampment recommendations which will be forthcoming. Michael: In reference to what Robin’s was speaking about in the Ad Hoc Committee, there is a new agency, Showering Love which beginning to provide mobile showers.

D. Perry, Chair

Rebecca: Shower of Love is an organization led by a woman who is now starting Loads of Love which is a mobile laundry service; we are trying to get her to become engaged with our Continuum. Steve: When do you anticipate the RFP to come out? Michael: March, mid-March. Lorraine: Can we get a list of staff in HIP, their job titles, and contact numbers? Michael: Certainly.

XI. Good of the Order

Nan: I wanted to thank Debbie, Fran, and Michael for being a part of a panel on homeless issues at the Tower forum; it was very educational and I do not think anyone left there thinking that we should turn a stockade into a shelter; we learned about rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing, and all the other great things that are going on in this community; I like to see Keith here as I am a big proponent in having the business community be a part of the Continuum; an incredible job has been done by the providers under direction of United Way; in December during a Coordinated Council meeting, it was discovered that we had 450 families that were still in hotels as a result from Irma; we received a letter indicating that families were to leave hotels was February 4th instead of January 6th; 217 families became ineligible to stay at hotel last weekend; the City of Fort Lauderdale funded for a week and Broward Cares raised monies also for case management; the basis here is affordable housing; we will be working hard during this Legislation Session for the number one recommendation that all state and local housing trust fund monies that goes into the Sadowski Trust Fund needs to be spent on affordable housing; the business community has really stepped up and been a part of all 4 state-wide meetings; there are seniors in their 90s or 100s who cannot afford their housing anymore, and a whole range of folks who cannot afford housing; almost $6 billion since inception of Sadowski Trust Fund has come into trust fund, and $2 billion has been take out and used for other purposes, and Broward County since 2010 has lost $88 million that we put into the trust fund that we did not get back for affordable housing; changes in zoning may also help with this. Mark: Regarding the housing issue, it was brought to our attention 2-3 days ago thirdhand, and no one has asked us anything but I counted 7 from Pompano who may have been

displaced; we have no applications from anyone; and who is coordinating all of this, United Way? Maria: We were asked from Broward County Emergency Management to provide assistance; I would hope that there is a system that can assess needs and collaborate with FEMA; 50 families were identified in December and were notified that by January they would not have a place to stay, so we collaborated with 39 hotels and brought the families in with the help of community partners; there was brief screening of families; families who did not attend event, they were assigned a case manager who followed up; as of today, 450 families had extreme cases and that was communicated to FEMA; an extension was granted; 40 cases were taken by Broward Behavioral Health; families then notified us that they were evicted by hotels; hotels stays had to be extended so we spent over $45,000; as of today, some families were extended to January 4th, 87 families are being assisted by the City of Fort Lauderdale, Henderson Behavioral Health has taken 42 cases; LineNet4Families is doing case management, Hispanic Unity took 42 cases, Family Success took on 91 cases; come February 4th, we will be in the same situation, these families cannot afford rentals. Nan: I will follow-up with Kathleen on Pompano and Hollywood who may have the same situation. Mark: Are we talking about permanent housing assistance? Michael: All these families need rapid re-housing assistance; perhaps SHIP funds can be utilized for that. Nan: Someone suggested families call 311, but that is not the answer. Howard: What are we referring to when we talk about vacancies in Permanent Supportive Housing? Tom: Most are chronically homeless. Howard: Are we referring to low barrier? Because if we have money available that is not being used, that is an issue. Michael: We have vouchers that are available, but no services to be coupled with them; the vouchers are limited to chronically homeless families.

Howard: Any for low barrier? Michael: There is one project that may have a couple of slots with the Housing Authority, but then those families have to follow the process. Howard: I just want to make sure that every resource is being used. Michael: Esau has a list of folks. Robin: In reference to what Nan and Maria were talking about, we are working through the list from United Way. Steve: Over the holidays, I got a call about this, and if we know hurricane season is coming up, we know that there will be misplaced families, so if FEMA is not going to cover it, the planners (County, City, Coordinating Council, United Way) may consider setting up some type of emergency rapid re-housing fund. Debbie: Henderson Behavioral Health works with Florida Housing and Finance Corporation, and we get set aside units from developers, I may have one 3-beroom unit become available. Robin: Probably all these families are paying in season rates in hotels, so that is a lot of money, and with that money, they can be moved somewhere else or if other providers have capacity or room, perhaps United Way may be able to pay half as a temporary relief. Luis: Please return completed conflict forms; there are some members that I am asking to stay after meeting: Keith Costello, Scott DiMarzo, Tiffany Garcia, and Maria Hernandez for ID badges, and email was sent to all members with ID form to complete; if all the guests and members who have attended this meeting could please sign-in; in your meeting packets, there is a Board and Subcommittee meeting calendar, and all meetings have been scheduled and Sunshined; and lastly, meeting room numbers are provide in packet if you need to call into meeting, but the teleconference must be set-up through HIP in advance. Caryl: A function in being a part of our Board is to sign-up for subcommittees, so I encourage everyone to do so; and the other thing is for all guests to introduce themselves please.

Lilly Gallardo – The Salvation Army Alyse Gossman – The Salvation Army Melissa Banner – Homeless Education Program Gisselle Williams – HOPE South Florida Jaid Jones – HOPE South Florida Zelimma Taveras – Kids in Distress Rebecca McGuire – Homeless Initiative Partnership Officer Dwayne Chung – Hollywood Police Department Sergeant Edward Rafailovict – Broward Sheriff’s Office/Homeless Outreach Team/Crisis Intervention Elissa Plancher – Broward Behavioral Health Coalition Janet Nichols – Catholic Charities Stephanie Rosendorf – Commissioner Nan Rich’s Office George Stenger – Fort Lauderdale Police Department/Homeless Outreach Team

XII. Adjournment & Next Meeting

Meeting adjourned at 11:54 am. Next meeting will be held February 28, 2018.