COH Agenda w Time 9.4.25

COH Slides 9.4.25

Attachments:

Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the

Committee

Roll Call and Introductions

Alejandra Chamberlain, Sherina Criswell, Hope Dixon, Wayne

Earl, Maria E Fairbanks, Susan Leslie Gleason, Danielle Jimenez,

Gabriel Lemus, LeAnn Matthews, Courtney Pal, Shawn Ray,

Bessie Marie Scott, and Heather Worobey

Present

Verneda Clapp, Carolyn Foudy, Nicole Green, Juno Hedrick, and

Yahel Moreno

Absent

Tony Ucciferri

Non-voting

Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda

(speakers may be limited to two minutes).

COH Minutes 8.7.25

Attachments:

COH Staff Report 9.4.25

Council on Homlelessness Q2-2025 Report

A motion was made by E Fairbanks, seconded by Jimenez, that this item be approved.

The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Motion:

E Fairbanks

Second:

Jimenez

CoH Supplemental Questions 2025 With Track Changes

Nominating Scoring Rubric as of 8.18.25

Attachments:

To review and approve revisions to the Council on Homelessness member application

materials as recommended by the Nominating Committee AND approve the COH

members listed above for the Nominating Panel.

Motion:

Criswell

Second:

Matthews

Funding Committee: CoC NOFO Work Group

Mark provided an update on the Funding Committee COC NOFO Work Group, which is tasked

with improving the COC-NOFO competition process in preparation of a possible 2025 CoC NOFO

competition. The group has convened to discuss possible revisions to the renewal project scoring

tool and a policy which prioritizes high-performing renewal projects over new projects. Upcoming

meetings are scheduled for September 16th and 30th to further discuss these topics.

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Update

The Youth Advisory Board provided an overview of YAB's August activities, including bi-monthly

meetings, Welcome Week events at colleges - where a total of 15 young people with lived

experience of homelessness were interested and wanted to connect - and participation in an RFP

panel for transitional housing. YAB is also working on ongoing strategic planning efforts and its

involvement in planning the Homeless Awareness Month. Additionally, the Data and Research

Subcommittee kicked off in early September and is preparing for the Youth Point-in-Time count.

YAB continues to seek new members for 2026. Caroline also noted that HUD is expected to

re-release the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program NOFO soon. Anyone interested in

connecting with YAB may send an email at ContraCostaYAB@cchealth.org

<mailto:ContraCostaYAB@cchealth.org>.

Old Business: Sector Report Outs from Council Members

Mia Fairbanks shared that the Health Care for the Homeless Governing Board is recruiting for

the Community Advisory Board where the purpose is to expand services to clients on the

streets as part of the medical outreach. Meetings are once a month on the third Wednesday of

each month from 11 a.m. -12 30 p.m. In addition, the same Governing Board is recruiting

people with lived experience who have received care from the program and is visiting some

shelters to share the position with clients. Rides to the meetings and lunch will be provided to

the participants.

Hope Dixon expressed her disappointment for the pausing of California Assembly Bill 90 (AB-

90), which is a legislation for safe overnight parking for California community college students.

The bill is no longer moving forward this year due to its significant cost. Hope shared that the

bill might come back year after year, making relevant to colleges and legislation that this

program needs to be funded. As a way to think about solutions, Hope will be presenting at two

conferences soon and may be reaching out to some partners to discuss collaboration and

support in co-presenting some of the great work that has been happening and as part of a lot

of interest at the community college level.

Jaime Jenett stated that the Early Implementation of Basic Needs Centers report, which is a

college case-study, has been released and it contains a lot of great information as well as

partners we already worked with.

The Stand Down on the Delta event will have the homeless outreach team and HUD-VASH

team participating on-site to screen veterans for the programs. Veterans will receive services

such as medical, dental, housing, job placement, etc. The event will take place from September

12 - 15th at the Fairgrounds in Antioch, CA.

Old Business: Funding Updates

The Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) application for Round 6 was

submitted on August 29. The HHAP Round 7 is intended for appropriation in FY26-27 for a budget

of 50% of round 6 allocation. A new Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Consolidated Housing and

Homelessness Services program will be released next month. Moreover, there has not been any

update on the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill that increases for

the Continuum of Care program. Congress has until October 1 to pass a reconciled version or

enact a continuing resolution, which would maintain current funding levels. Lastly, Shelby invited

Contra Costa County’s residents to fill out the Community Impact Fund (previously known as

ARPA funding) survey to find out about community needs and preferences around funding

priorities. Jill Ray added that the ARPA dollars were intended for COVID relief, and the Board of

Supervisors have allocated $1 million per district - there are five districts total - with each

supervisor holding a community forums in their communities. To receive news about funding

opportunities, please sign up on the ’Contra Costa County Healths website

<https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?

v=001zpQMaVU8vAygGSKiQQAmHz_QvSMlD0ShGg_UfEGz8Fw2oyhhOhpPQh4Scmvsv9L6-

3wLwduaoMFPbiiNUnbiEe0LOSN5tVfBx16Z8EGIJAI%3D>.

SPIRIT Application 2026

Attachments:

Presenter: Victoria Fairchild and Bianca Berrios, Contra Costa Behavioral Health

Services, Office for Consumer Empowerment

Bianca Berrios, a 2023 SPIRIT graduate and co-instructor, shared her personal

journey from addiction to recovery and her transformation through the SPIRIT

program, which helped her regain confidence and pursue higher education. Victoria

Fairchild, a 2016 SPIRIT graduate, also shared her path from being homelessness to

becoming a co-instructor, highlighting the program's role in her recovery and career

development. The SPIRIT program, a 9-unit college course at Contra Costa College,

provides training in behavioral health for individuals with lived experience ages 18

and above. The course aims to build skills in peer support, career development, and

personal wellness, with a focus on recovery and resilience. Participants receive an

educational allowance, internships, and ongoing support from the vocational team.

The application process is rigorous, with six staff members reviewing each

application to ensure authenticity and readiness for the program. The course

emphasizes self-awareness, empowerment, and career opportunities within Contra

Costa County's behavioral health system. To learn more about the SPIRIT program

and how to apply, please visit the ’Contra Costa County Healths website

<https://www.cchealth.org/home/showpublisheddocument/32225/6388989699916

30000>.

10.

Announcements

Wayne Earl announced plans for a Homelessness Memorial event, with the next planning

meeting scheduled for September 10th. Anyone interested in being part of the planning

process can fill out the Zoom’s registration form

<https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WMbqxBEoQQabBHi1S4TPmQ>. The official

announcement can be found at the ’Contra Costa CoCs website

<https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Council-on-Homelessness-Accepting-Applications.html?

soid=1109615552347&aid=NClHfD9BM-4>.

Bessie Scott highlighted the success of the Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) program and

thanked Contra Costa County’ staff for their collaboration. The ERF program has helped 33

people, including 19 dogs where all rooms have their own dog crate. Hope Solutions is on the

site and is assisting clients with housing, document readiness, jobs, etc.

Ricka Davis-Sheard, Executive Director of Share Community, shared that the program has

moved its mobile shower location at the Veterans Memorial Building in 403 6th Street and

encouraged attendees to spread the word about the new site.

Jacqueline Lopez-Padilla shared that the Head Start and Early Head start program are.

currently recruiting children 0-5 throughout the county. Parents with children who are

interested in applying may do so by filling out a form

<https://www.csbconnect.org/request-info> on the CSB Connect’s website.

The Homelessness 101 has sessions at the Antioch Library on September 13th and one in

Walnut Creek, thanks to the partnership with the county library system.

HUD-VASH is hiring of two social workers in Martinez.

The next meeting is currently scheduled for October 2nd at the McMorrow Training Room, 2120

Diamond Blvd, Concord

Adjourn

The Committee will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend

the Committee meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting. Any

disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by

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available for public inspection at 2400 Bisso Lane, D2, Concord during normal business hours. Staff

connection malfunctions for any reason, the meeting may be paused while a fix is attempted. If the

connection is not reestablished, the committee will continue the meeting in person without remote

access. Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day

prior to the published meeting time.eeting time.

For Additional Information Contact: contracostacoc@cchealth.org