From Emily Allen --Regarding SB Homeless Merger

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Emily Allen
1:16 PM (16 hours ago)
to emiallen

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing To Consider Recommendations Regarding a Homeless Support Systems Merger
 
Santa Barbara County Budget Update
First, thank you to everyone who helped get the word out about potential service level impacts by sending emails or makings calls to friends, colleagues (and of course) the Board of Supervisors! The Board voted for a full restoration of the Human Services Commission, ProPay, Veteran's Services & Emergency Shelter Services w/a partial restoration of Acute Care Psychiatric Beds.Please consider taking some to time to let the Supervisors know you appreciate their votes!
 
Also, please save the date: Tuesday, June 26 at 10AM (Time Certain). Departmental Item No. 4. HEARING - Consider Recommendations Regarding A Homeless Support Systems Merger. (4/5 Vote Required) (EST. TIME: 1 HR.). This funding will support the new consolidated homeless structure that the Board unanimously voted to support in concept. You may address the Board of Supervisors at the County Administration Building, Board Hearing Rm, Fourth Floor, 105 E. Anapamu Street, in Santa Barbara; OR at the Betteravia Government Center, Board Hearing Rm, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria.
 
One theme that emerged from the Budget Hearings was the need to engage in “Collective Impact.” Without a better mechanism of policy setting, coordination and evaluation it is hard to believe we will ever develop a better system of care. The proposed restructuring of Bringing Our Community Home, Common Ground and the Homeless Advisory Committees gives us an opportunity to create a new model for collaboration.
 
Proposed Model:
-Creates “Policy Council” of Elected Officials to direct cost effective & efficient response.
-Creates “Coordination Committee” of Key Leaders who set program & funding priorities.
-Empowers “Community Action Groups” to participate in solutions.
-Encourages collaboration between service providers.
-Facilitated by independent “Homeless Coordinator” & support staff who report to Coordination Committee.
-Phased approach to employ new strategies.
 
You can help by 

1. contacting the board with your statement of support:
1st District: Salud Carbajal, Vice-Chair
Phone: (805) 568-2186 |SupervisorCarbajal@sbcbos1.org
2nd District: Janet Wolf
Phone: (805) 568-2191 | jwolf@sbcbos2.org
3rd District: Doreen Farr, Chair
Phone: (805) 568-2192 | dfarr@countyofsb.org
4th District: Joni Gray
Lompoc: (805) 737-7700 | jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
5th District: Steve Lavagnino
Phone: (805) 346-8400 |steve.lavagnino@countyofsb.org
 
2. Attending/addressing the Board of Supervisors: at the County Administration Building, Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor, 105 East Anapamu Street, in Santa Barbara; OR at the Betteravia Government Center, Board Hearing Room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria.
 
 
 
 
All the best,
 
---
Emily R. Allen
Managing Attorney
Homeless Education and Legal Project
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
805-403-5224 cell
emiallen@aol.com
www.facebook.com/emiallen
 

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