2.13 Matters of State: Advancing Policy

Priorities in State Capitals

July 22, 2013 430-6pm

Why State Advocacy Matters:

• Educating leaders and elected officials • Directing policy and resource allocation • Building coalitions to drive collaborative

solutions • Homelessness is a local issue!

The Agenda:

• Emily Carmody, LCSW

– North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness

• Richard A. Hooks Wayman, JD

– Hearth Connection

• Edward SanFilippo, JD

– National Alliance to End Homelessness

• Q&A

ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL

North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness

North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness securing resources encouraging public dialogue advocating for public policy change

919.755.4393 www.ncceh.org

Organizational Filter

Will this end homelessness?

Do we have or can we find the

resources to be successful?

Are we the best

organization to do this

work?

It’s all about relationships…

Never assume

Be confident, believe that you’re a good catch Put yourself out there and ask!

Always think about the next step

Legislative Advocacy vs. Executive Branch Advocacy Legislative Advocacy Creating framework for programs, general rules Appropriations Executive Branch Advocacy Program Implementation Decisions about how the program will be run, what

priorities will be set Decisions about how to disperse funding

Executive Branch Advocacy

Identify strategic targets Focus on who makes the program decisions Before you meet:

Learn what their program goals are Learn the language of the program Identify where you are part of the solution

Goals: Viewed and valued as a resource A seat at the table

Examples: SOAR

Began as a State program Saw potential for improvement and growth Sold solution to key decision makers

Now contracted to NCCEH More time and resources for organizing trainings Allowed for targeted follow up and technical assistance More time to develop a state-wide SOAR program Allowed for program changes at DDS and SSA

Our role with SOAR allows a seat at the table for other policy decisions

Examples: NC ESG Program

Program designed and implemented by NC DHHS NCCEH invited to the table to help redesign application

and program New application aligns with Federal Strategic Plan and CoC

goals Emphasizes rapid re-housing Encourages innovation and strategic use of funds by

communities

Partnered with the State to provide ongoing technical support for CoCs throughout the application process

Examples: Medicaid Crosswalk

Identified Medicaid as target at NAEH conference in 2010

Researched current system and possible solutions Shopped around white paper on PSH & Medicaid Identified internal DHHS champions and external

allies Identified funding source And now…

Contact NCCEH

Emily Carmody, LCSW Project Specialist (919) 755-4393 emily@ncceh.org

NCCEH Webpage: www.ncceh.org

Learn more! Join our mailing list! Become a member!

NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS

NATIONAL CONFERENCE JULY 22-24, 2013 Washington, D.C.

2.13 Matters of State: Advancing Policy Priorities in State Capitals

HEARTH CONNECTION, HOMES FOR ALL

Rich Hooks Wayman

Hearth Connection www.hearthconnection.org

• Hearth Connection is an innovative nonprofit dedicated

to ending long-term homelessness in Minnesota. • 3 Regional Collaboratives • Intermediary Role- securing resources • Serve over 1,300 children, adults, and youth each year • PSH - Break the cycle of homelessness and achieve

housing stability and health recovery. • Data focused on outcomes – CoPilot Data Base (HMIS)

OLD CHALLENGE – DIVIDED STRATEGIES

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS • New construction • Rehabilitation • Home Ownership • Rental Assistance

HOMELESS ADVOCATES AND PROVIDERS • Shelter Services • Community Case

management Supportive Services

• Homeless Youth Services

• Rental Assistance

HOMES FOR ALL

UNITY!!

• 40 nonprofit organizations • Affordable housing developers & Homeless

Service Providers • Common policy initiatives leading to stable

and affordable housing and an end to homelessness in Minnesota.

Homes for All – Accomplishments

• Secured $37 million in new affordable housing bonding in 2012

• Secured a $33 million boost for housing and homeless services in state budget in 2013!

State Advocacy Coalition Building

Upstart Work • Strategic Mapping of Partnership • Roles and Responsibility – Bylaws • Tools – Development of Communication

Products • Prioritization of Policy Agenda • Operational Management – Structure of

Coalition Work

Homes for All- Structure

• Communication Strategies Committee • Policy Committee • Steering Committee • General Coalition Meetings

Homes for All – Policy Spectrum with Prioritization

Minnesota Housing – Affordable Housing Production, Rehabilitation and Rental Assistance • Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program

Challenge Fund — production and rehab • Housing Trust Fund — Rental Assistance • Preservation (PARIF) — rental housing • Rental Rehab Loans — smaller rental properties • Homebuyer Education • Capacity Building

Homes for All – Policy Spectrum with Prioritization

• MN Department of Human Services – Homeless Services

• Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services • Homeless Youth Act • Transitional Housing • Emergency Services Program

Homes for All – Administrative Advocacy

Beyond Legislative Advocacy – Relationship Building and Advocacy to Governor and State Agencies • Governor’s Liaison to the Legislature • MN Housing • MN Department of Human Services

ENGAGEMENT IN MAINSTREAM COALITIONS

• Disability Rights and Services – Olmstead Sub-Cabinet – NAMI (Mental Health)

• Ending Poverty – Minnesota Without Poverty Coalition – Legal Services & TANF Working Group

• Health Care – Affordable Care Act – Reform 2020 - 1115i Waiver to Medicaid Plan – PSH as Evidence Based Practice

• Children’s Issues – Homeless Youth Act – Safe Harbors Legislation

CONTACT INFORMATION

Rich Hooks Wayman richard@hearthconnection.org

651-645-0676 Hearth Connection, St. Paul, MN

Tools to Drive Policy Edward J. SanFilippo, NAEH Policy Fellow

July 22, 2013

Learning from the field

• What are people doing • Where do they need support • What resources are they already utilizing • What resources can they provide • Where are the openings

Tools that tell a story

Outcomes: what do

you want? Data: use your tools

Message: choose a

sound byte

Tools that tell a story: Data Worksheets

Last PIT Count Year Before PIT 5 Years Ago PIT Year

Total homeless population

Chronic

Substance Abuse Disorder

Severely Mentally Ill

Homeless Subpopulations in Your Community Source: This info can be searched for at: http://www.hudhre.info -- under CoC/GranteeInfo/Coc Reports

Tools that tell a story: Data Worksheets

Health and Health Care Information Your

County Next

County Over Your State

U.S.

How healthy are people? countyhealthrankings.org - health outcomes ranking

Can they get what they need? countyhealthrankings.org - clinical care ranking

What is the rate of disability? statehealthfacts.org

Do people lack health insurance? countyhealthrankings.org

Are people on Medicaid? statehealthfacts.org

Do people have high housing costs? countyhealthrankings.org (Find your state, then click on ‘Measures,’ then ‘Additional Measures,’ and then ‘High Housing Costs’)

Community Health

Tools that tell a story: State Worksheet

State

Political Climate Governor/Political Party: Majority Party in State Legislature: Overall Climate:

Key Players in Homelessness 1. 2. 3.

Key Players in Healthcare 1. 2. 3.

Possible Champions 1. 2. 3.

Grassroots Tactics

Effective Language

Medicaid Expansion Timeline: Progress: Opportunities:

Tools that tell a story: Strategic Advocacy Plan

GOAL OBJECTIVES STRATEGIES ACTIVITIES

Tools that tell a story: Setting Priorities as a State

The Ask:

Prioritize advocacy for Medicaid health home models with strong housing focus

The Audience:

Health Care Coalition

Model Talking Points: Health Homes

The Ask:

Revitalized state-level interagency council on homelessness

The Audience:

Governor’s Office

Model Talking Points: State Interagency Council

The Ask:

Prioritize TANF resources to stabilize homeless families

The Audience:

State TANF director and local administrators

Model Talking Points: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Gearing Up for State Advocacy

Any questions?

Edward J. SanFilippo esanfilippo@naeh.org

www.endhomelessness.org