OCTOBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness – now part of the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development – is committed to eliminating the disproportionality of people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness from communities of color and other marginalized populations by providing equitable paths to safe, stable, affordable housing.

COVID-19 UPDATES

Thanks to the ongoing dedication of numerous partners, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness has continued to address the needs of those at risk of and experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a summary of activities from the past month:

• Temporary Shelter Available During COVID-19: The availability of Quarantine, Protection, Isolation, and Decompression (QPID) Hotels as a temporary resource for those who meet the eligibility criteria and are unable to safely practice infection control was announced to the broader community.
  
  More than 700 people have transitioned into QPID Hotels since April 16th with locations operating in Falls Church, Herndon, and Alexandria. The QPID Hotels are managed by several non-profit partners, including Shelter House, Cornerstones, New Hope Housing, and FACETS. Northern Virginia Family Service operates a Central Intake to triage referrals to the various QPID Hotels.
   
• Donations Needed to Support Nonprofits Who Help Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for everyone to have a safe, secure, and healthy environment to call home is crucial now more than ever. Local nonprofits have been working diligently to serve the needs of residents and families experiencing homelessness and are requesting donations for clothing, food, and other household items. Several area nonprofit partners have indicated specific areas of need – including food, clothing, hygiene, cleaning products and more.
  
  Donation Location: Volunteer Fairfax at the Burkholder Building, (10700 Page Avenue, Suite 101, Fairfax, VA) in the City of Fairfax. You can drop off donations Monday-Thursday, from noon to 4 p.m.
  
  Donation Contact: Tejas Patel, Emergency Response Program Manager, phone: 703-246-3553, email: tpatel@volunteerfairfax.org or online: www.volunteerfairfax.org/contact.

Thank you to the many providers that are serving people in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each and every one of you are sincerely appreciated.

PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

• Community Input Needed: The Consolidated Community Funding Pool (CCFP) is a competitive funding process for human services programs developed and administered by nonprofits and community-based organizations. The funding serves as an investment and catalyst for strengthening the network of human services programs and resources available for Fairfax County residents.
  
  During each funding cycle, local funding (earmarked by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to be administered through the CCFP) is awarded to selected applicants whose activities, services and programs fulfill specific funding categories developed through a broad community engagement effort. Fairfax County is seeking community input to begin that process for the next cycle beginning in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023).
  
  How Can You Participate?
   
• By completing the FY 2023 CCFP Community Feedback Survey! During this brief survey, you will be asked to consider categories and outcome statements independently and respond based on your personal experiences with how you view their importance, strengths and deficiencies within your community. All surveys must be submitted by October 30, 2020.
   
• By sharing your thoughts/comments with the CCFP Advisory Committee at a Public Hearing on October 13, 2020. This electronic meeting will be hosted via WebEx. Access will be available online and via telephone (see event website for details). If you would like to present at the public hearing, please contact Jenny.Hsu@fairfaxcounty.gov to be placed on the presentation list and to receive details on participation options.
  
  If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing, you may submit your comments to Kehinde.Walker@fairfaxcounty.gov by 4 p.m. on October 9 in order to have them added to the public record.
   
• Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA): As part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, local jurisdictions, officially known as Continuums of Care (CoCs), act as coordinated system made up of the local government, nonprofits, businesses, and faith based communities working together to prevent and end homelessness. Each CoC is required to submit their data to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to show how people experiencing homelessness are utilizing their systems.  
  
  In effort to reduce the overall reporting burden on communities, HUD is combining the Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA) data collection process for 2019 with the 2020 LSA data collection process. Communities will be required to submit LSA files for both FY 2019 and FY 2020. However, these submissions and the subsequent data quality reviews will happen concurrently.
   
• The Every One Votes Initiative: With the upcoming election, it is important that our clients know that they still have the right to vote despite experiencing homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness has implemented the Every One Votes initiative to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are registered to vote and are able to exercise that right. Their webpage has some helpful resources. Feel free to reach out to Michael Willson at michael.willson@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have any questions regarding the voting process for people experiencing homelessness in the Fairfax-Falls Church community. 
   
• CoC Annual Membership Invitation: OPEH strives to ensure that membership and participation in the CoC includes a diverse and broad representation of all the necessary voices needed to accomplish the goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and one time. This annual invitation is open to any organization or individual connected to Fairfax County that is also interested in preventing and ending homelessness in our community, including but not limited to, the representatives outlined in 24 CFR § 578.3 DEFINITIONS. 
  
  To change your email address or unsubscribe please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mailinglist/.
  
  Additional staff can also sign up to receive the monthly newsletters and other CoC announcements distributed through this website. For questions about CoC membership, please contact michael.willson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
   

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Please register for the following trainings if you have an interest in attending. By registering, we will be able to inform you of any adjustments or cancelations due to COVID-19. 

• Domestic Violence Network Tier One Training:
  Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 6-29, 2020 (4 to 6 p.m.)
  Tier One is a training on the dynamics of domestic violence, the systems that respond to those crimes, and available resources in our community. The training is designed for professionals interested in learning the dynamics of domestic violence in order to deepen their work with clients and community members, and anyone interested in volunteering with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Tier One training explores topics that may be challenging. Sometimes learning about these topics or providing support to other people impacted by domestic and sexual violence may trigger difficult feelings for participants. If you have questions about the training content or concerns about participating in Tier One, please contact Colleen Armstrong at colleen.armstrong@fairfaxcounty.gov.
   
• Virginia Fair Housing Training 101:
  Wednesday, October 7, 2020 (1 to 5 p.m.)
  It is highly encouraged that any staff who have not taken a VA Certified Fair Housing Training in the past two years signs up and completes the class. By completing this class attendees will be eligible to apply for their Fair Housing License through DPOR. Fair Housing Laws apply to anyone working in Housing to include Finance Associates, Security, Vendors, and Volunteers. The term “housing” refers to all housing covered by the Fair Housing Act (FHA), including apartments, condominiums, cooperatives, single family homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, domestic violence shelters, emergency shelters, homeless shelters, dormitories, and other types of housing covered by the FHA.
   
• LGBTQ Intimate Partner Abuse:
  Tuesday, October 13, 2020 (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
  TRAINER: Colleen Armstrong, an energetic and enthusiastic trainer, who works for Fairfax County's Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence will be presenting this interactive workshop/training.  
  
  This training will increase attendees professional capacity to address partner abuse with LGBTQ clients, through the use of scenarios and interactive case studies, participants will learn language and terminology around gender and sexual identities and understanding of the dynamics of LGBTQ partner abuse.
  
  This training is essential for anyone working with or providing services to clients or residents. You will be surprised what you learn in this one of a kind training!  Seats fill up fast, so register today!
   
• Safe Zone Training for Homeless Service Providers
  Wednesday, October 21, 2020 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
  The Safe Zone training was designed to create a safer, more welcoming and inclusive environment, to strengthen community responses to LGBTQ individuals seeking services and to encourage networking among allied professionals toward the goal of supporting the well-being of LGBTQ people. As a result of the Safe Zone training, participants will be able to:
  • Provide visible support and resources for LGBTQ individuals seeking services.
  • Offer a way for allies to indicate that they are safe contacts for LGBTQ people seeking services.
  • Promote increased awareness and understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity.
    
    The training will be presented by: 
    Colleen Armstrong, Prevention and Education Coordinator with Fairfax County Domestic & Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) and Helen McDonald, Youth Education and Outreach Specialist (DSVS).
     
• Fair Housing Seminar, Virginia Fair Housing Office
  Wednesday, November 18, 2020
  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  At the Jefferson Center (541 Luck Ave SW, Ste 221, Roanoke, VA 24016)
  Enter “DPOR” in the Keyword Search and follow the prompts. There is no cost to attend.