Activities and Opinions

Emergency Services Homeless Coalition

GENERAL MEETING NOTES

4/15/10

President Jackie Harris Rude opened the meeting. Jimmy Harden gave the prayer.

Margaret Torres from Social Security and Nancy Sole Richmond presented opportunities to sign up homeless and working poor people for benefits. Ms Torres indicated they are taking fewer retirement claims but that disability claims are double from last year. The main difficulty in getting homeless their benefits is that after they are signed up and approved (usually within 120 days), they cannot be found to be notified of the award. Her numbers: 794.5512 x 210 or cell: 386.405.1705. PUSH could help with this follow up contact effort and she welcomes our ideas.

Chris reported on Advocacy Day 4/7 at Tallahassee. He noted lower turnout than last year but was successful in meeting with most legislators/aides and reported positive feedback.

Peggy was introduced as the new HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) trainer and encouraged agencies to get trained and use this database to enhance targeted funding for the county.

Jean Harden noted they are going forward with the Challenge grant applications and encouraged agencies to give their applications to ESHC to be included. She noted HUD is requiring 10 year plan objectives with agencies and goals outlined with a one year projection so if agencies have changes, she needs to be notified. These are new requirements for Continuum of Care (chart N) by the state.

The grant formerly known as ESHG is now HEARTH: Homeless Emergency Assistance Rapid Transition to Housing.

Dr Hogan passed out her wish list for her new transitional facility for ex offenders. She noted the NIMBY resistance at the last West Augustine Improvement Association meeting.

The Worst to First Lawton Chiles Foundation program was presented and cards passed out to attendees. The program works towards volunteer opportunities helping kids in the county.

Chili’s is accepting flyers for 10% of take to be donated to ESHC on May 5 and Hogans Harvest on May 11. Flyers are needed, they have permission to hand them out outside the restaurant.

Renee reminded everyone of her fundraiser on 4/24 at the Elks Lodge: A night at the races, a successful fundraiser in the past and a yearly event.

Mary noted assistance with census forms ends at midnight 4/19. If census forms have not been received, survey takers will begin knocking on doors of non respondents.

NOTE: Next ESHC meeting is the 12^th Annual Meeting and Covered Dish Dinner on May 20, 2010 at 530PM at the First United Methodist Church 118 King Street. This is a great opportunity to share a meal with about 150 homeless people and once again, Penny Halyburton from the election office will attempt to educate the crowd on voting opportunities for homeless people.

Meeting adjourned at 115PM

Mary Lawrence

Florida Coalition For The Homeless
P.O. Box 3764
Tallahassee, FL 32315
1.877.205.0021

Advocate Alert!

The Senate Transportation Committee will here this bill on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 12:30pm. Please find on the advocacy page the Transportation Committee members. I have place all the committee members names under the area of action alert for your convenience. www.fchonline.org/Advocacy.asp Please make your calls today and Monday to your members to gain their support of this bill. Keep up the great work!

 Sincerely,
Rayme L. Nuckles, President

PUSH revised its presentation from last year's County Commission to include footage of camps located and surveyed during the November Homeless census conducted by PUSH and its affiliates, with support of  the United Way of St Johns County. PUSH members plan to use this video as a starting point for discussion on homelessness with any civic or faith based group that is interested in a presentation.

ADD MOVIE FROM YOUTUBE

The new director of Health and Human Services was introduced and stayed for the entire meeting. Her name is Venn Thomas.

Brenda Feneck-Soler gave a presentation on Public Health and Community Needs Assessment done in 2005 and 2008. Another is due in 2010-2011. I asked about the “access to adult dental care”outcomes. The results can be found on the health department website: www.stjohnschd.org Publication of 2010 assessment hopefully released by end of this year.

Dr Cheryl Hogan gave a presentation about her program for housing ex offenders and other homeless people in the Hogan’s Harvest homes. They offer emergency shelter, financial skills training, residents can stay up to 6 months. They are currently only taking adults, have plans for families later. She also related a brief autobiography of her life and what led her to this work.

New Faces:

Eldersource: a state agency on aging in SJC. www.myeldersource.org or 888.242.4464

Shine: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Seniors, volunteer program helping with Medicare, Long Term care and prescription assistance.800.963.5337 or www.floridashine.org

American Eldercare: long term care diversion program, Federal money to keep seniors in their homes and wrap around services.  Eligible for Medicaid, less expensive than nursing home for Medicare.

Requests for help:

Kathy Bravo (JCP Cares) looking to reach out to Hastings and Armstrong areas.

Habitat for Humanity seeking applicants for 2011 and 2012 houses. They will build 10 homes this year.

Brenda Ware noted the Census 2010 BLITZ on April 10, 2010. Volunteers are needed in all sites: Hastings, West Augustine and Lincolnville.

For the second consecutive month, PUSH members united with affiliates to provide hot meals to the farm workers and community members who came to utilize the St Vincents Mobile Medical van services. The dynamic members of Armstrong Sea Community, under the tireless direction of Malinda “I can’t find my keys” Peeples, put out a hot meal of barbecue chicken while PUSH provided hot side dishes, drinks, desserts and serving supplies. Other groups brought hygiene supplies, clothing, socks, and shoes while Sea Community provided over 50 bags of groceries to take away.

Once again, PUSH came away with deepest respect for this tiny community of people who work so hard to take care of their own. We look forward to continuing this relationship as part of our efforts to expand out into the county and help where we can.

Also notable were Jon and JD’s efforts at renovating the Sea Community kitchen at little cost and great expertise and time on their part. Commissioner Ken Bryan has been instrumental in getting storage capacity for the center so Malinda will finally be able to get into her office and maybe find a safe place for her keys.

(Pictures Soon)