New Employment Opportunity at Homes for Families

Position: Program Development Specialist

Reports to: Executive Director

Hours: Full Time

Salary: Depending on experience

Position Open: February 1, 2012 

Homes for Families is a statewide advocacy organization committed to ending family homelessness through permanent and emergency solutions. We are a collaborative of families who have experienced homelessness, service providers and advocates. Together we educate, organize and advocate for improved public policies to address the root causes of family homelessness with holistic and community-based solutions.

We are seeking a Program Development Specialist to initiate and manage a new training program for family shelters who are adapting to working with young parents. This position will also develop policy recommendations and best practices to assure programs effectively respond to the needs of young parents so that they may reach housing and economic stability.

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and communication skills along with a human service background in the following: homeless families, young parents, case management, program management, supervision, and trauma.  S/he should have a good grasp of how policies affect practice; knowledge of community resources inMassachusetts; and familiarity with strength based and holistic principles. S/he must be able to work independently, take initiative, and have a commitment to ending homelessness. The position will require proficient computer, planning and evaluation skills.  An MSW candidate is preferred but work experience will be more heavily considered. This position is currently funded for one year, but an extension is possible. Benefits include health insurance and a dental benefit.

For a job description and how to apply click here. 

Governor Proposes Major Increases to MRVP, Public Housing, and RAFT

Earlier today, Governor Patrick released his budget recommendations for FY2013 (click here to compare the proposal to current funding levels).  Initial analysis looks very promising for both homelessness prevention and housing programs.

Governor Patrick has proposed the following:

• An increase to the Massachusetts Rental Voucher (MRVP) of $10 million;
• An increase to public housing operating subsidies of $4 million; and
• An increase in funding to Residential Assistance to Families in Transition (RAFT) from $260,000 to $8.7 million.

Both the EA and HomeBASE line items will require further analysis to fully understand the impact of particular language changes.  However, at first glance some striking points regarding the two programs:

Regarding Emergency Assistance (EA, family shelter), the governor has proposed the following:

• The implementation of an 8-month time limit;
• Limiting eligibility for EA to four categories; and
• Requiring a Massachusetts residency for access (though how ‘residency’ is defined is not clear).
• To view a reader friendly version of the EA line item click here.

Regarding HomeBASE, the governor proposed the following:

• Reducing the length of time a family can access HomeBASE from three down to two years, barring further access for 12 months to either EA or RAFT and
• Defining that families utilizing HomeBASE should receive stabilization services up to 12 months.
• To view a reader friendly version of the HomeBASE line item click here.

We will continue to analyze the governor’s budget and are pleased with the bold investment in both housing and prevention.  However, we must not be complacent and assume that the work we have done with the legislature over the past few years will be enough to see these increases through the process.

Additionally, we will be flushing this budget proposal and language in the line items (EA, HomeBASE, and RAFT) out with our various membership committees and will keep you informed about next steps for advocating on behalf of homeless and at-risk families throughout this budget process.  Please feel free to contact us to weigh in with your thoughts.

Once again, our collective efforts have proven fruitful, but there is more to be done!

Interrupting Racism in the Workplace Training

This workshop will help you increase your confidence and comfort level in dealing with and interrupting racist language and behavior that may be directed at you, your co-workers or others. It is designed to engage you in a meaningful conversation about race that will help you build greater personal awareness and understanding about racism so you can be better prepared to intervene when situations occur in your workplace.

How prepared are you to respond to what you consider racist remarks coming from a client or a family member or a staff member? In today’s multi-cultural human service workplace we often find ourselves working with and/or providing services to people whose backgrounds not only differ from our own but who treat us in ways we may consider inappropriate or disrespectful.

Through interactive and thought-provoking exercises, case studies and role plays with other human service providers, we will explore some of the historical origins of racism in the U.S. and elsewhere and the lingering effects that still exist in our society today. By integrating this knowledge with our personal experiences, we can develop effective ways to respond to clients, their families and staff members when this behavior occurs.

Participants will leave with tools and information that will allow them to address racist behavior that may occur in their workplace. These skills will help to both enhance quality of service delivery to a multi-cultural client population and improve relations among staff

OBJECTIVES
Participants in this program will:

Increase their understanding of the presence of racism in the multi-culturalU.S.workplace and inU.S.society.

Increase their comfort level in responding to racially-based remarks by clients and their families and staff.

Identify and practice appropriate actions to reduce racist behavior from clients and/or staff.

PRESENTERS

Debora Bloom, President, Debora Bloom Associates
Barbara G. Holland, President and Founder of Break Through Partners

When:

February 29th, 2012 9:00 AM   through   1:00 PM

Location:

81 Hope Avenue
Seven Hills Foundation
Worcester, MA 01603
United States

Click here to register and for more information

Policy Update: Salary Reserve

The legislature passed a supplemental budget last year leading to funding for a Human Services Salary Reserve, which provides a modest increase in income for direct service workers earning below $40,000 annually. Workers, however, must be working for a program contracted by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services or the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Because family shelters are contracted by the Department of Housing and Community Development, which is located under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, those working in the shelter system making under $40,000 are ineligible and cannot access this benefit.

This resulted from the transition of the shelter system from DTA to DHCD, and when the legislation for the salary reserve was written, DHCD was left out. The Provider’s Council who advocates for the salary reserve is working to include workers in both the individual and family shelter systems in FY13.

For more information see the links below or contact Jeff Connor-Naylor at 617-227-4188 or jnaylor@homesforfamilies.org.

Click here to go to the Provider’s Council website.

Click here to go to the state website about the salary reserve.

Join Us at Cookie Day 2012 to Support MRVP at $44.3 Million

Do you agree that affordable housing will decrease homelessness? Like cookies?

Then join us at Cookie Day!

 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Start Time: 10:30 AM

The Massachusetts State House

Nurses Hall

What is Cookie Day?

Families, providers and legislators gather at the State House to tell our elected officials that we need more affordable housing through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) to solve homelessness. We deliver house shaped cookies along with information about MRVP to our legislator’s offices.

Who Attends?

Homes for Families, the Housing Solutions Campaign, families, shelter and housing

providers, advocates, legislators, faith communities, business leaders and you!

Why Should I Attend?

The Commonwealth continues to face a homelessness crisis. Your presence will demonstrate your support for permanent housing solutions. Let’s be certain that our elected officials hear from us and know that we call for and support their making a bold investment in affordable housing and MRVP.

For a flyer click here.

If you would like to meet with your legislator’s office at Cookie Day contact Jeffrey Connor-Naylor at jnaylor@homesforfamilies.org or 617-227-4188 or find your legislators contact info here.

Please Join Us at HFF’s January Community Meeting

Topic:

Youth and Homelessness 

This community meeting will examine the complex issue of homeless youth. It will include a discussion of adolescent youth living in the family shelter system and strategies for working with this population. We will also discuss the rising trend of homeless unaccompanied youth and current legislation to improve programming for this population. This will include a discussion about the experiences of and issues faced by LGBTQ youth.

Guest Speakers:

Kelly Turley, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless

Mayumi Brooks, Brookview House, Inc.

Aaron Gonzales, TheBostonAllianceof Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth

 

Open to both Providers and Families

(Stipends available for families to reimburse for travel) 

January 11, 2012

11 AM – 1 PM

14 Beacon St.

1st Floor Conference Room

Boston, MA 02108

Click here for a flyer

Homes for Families January Community Meeting

Topic:

Youth and Homelessness

This community meeting will examine the complex issue of homeless youth. It will include a discussion of adolescent youth living in the family shelter system and strategies for working with this population. We will also discuss the rising trend of homeless unaccompanied youth and current legislation to improve programming for this population.

Guest Speakers:

KellyTurley,MassachusettsCoalition for the Homeless

TBA

 

Open to both Providers and Families

(Stipends available for families to reimburse for travel)

 

January 11, 2012

11 AM – 1 PM

14 Beacon St.

1st Floor Conference Room

Boston, MA 02108

 

Save the Date! Cookie Day 2012

Cookie Day 2012

to Support The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program!

Do you want more affordable housing and like cookies?

Then join us at Cookie Day!

Thursday, February 16, 2011

10:30 AM

The Massachusetts State House

Nurses Hall

Bureau of Substance Abuse Services: Skill Building in Motivational Interviewing for Program Teams: Clinicians and Supervisors

Friday, February 03, 2012 – Wednesday, June 13, 2012.

Below are the details pertaining to this event:

Location:

The Boston Comm Hotel & Conference Center

40 Trinity Place, Boston, MA 02116

617.933.7700

 

Registration Fee: $125.00 per person
(There is no charge for supervisors who qualify to attend (Day 3 and Day 4 (AM only))

Registration Deadline: Friday, January 27, 2012

Please see below for registration information.

Date(s):

Clinical MI Skill Building for Clinicians & Supervisors (Day 1 & 2):

Friday, February 3, 2012; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Friday, March 2, 2012; 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Practice Session 1 (Day 3 – Lunch will be provided): 

Friday, April 27, 2012; 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (for Both Clinicians and Supervisors)
Friday, April 27, 2012; 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm (for Supervisors Only)

 

Practice Session 2 (Day 4 – Lunch will be provided):

Wednesday, May 23, 2012; 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (for Both Clinicians and Supervisors)

Wednesday, May 23, 2012; 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm (for Clinicians Only)

 

Practice Session 3 & Wrap-Up (Day 5):

Wednesday, June 13, 2012; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (for Clinicians & Supervisors)

Click here for more info. 

Aaron Gornstein Named Undersecretary of DHCD

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department

Office of Housing and Economic Development

Press Release

Contact: Matt Kitsos (HED) – 617-788-3623                            

 AARON GORNSTEIN SELECTED AS UNDERSECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

BOSTON – December 22, 2011 – Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki today announced the selection of Aaron Gornstein as the new Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development, who brings decades of community housing experience to the Administration after serving as the executive director of Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA).

“Aaron’s experience on the front lines of advocating for affordable housing and community development is a welcome addition,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “His leadership and experience will move forward our mission of strengthening neighborhoods and improving the quality of life of Massachusetts residents.”

“With years of experience in addressing housing and homelessness in Massachusetts, Aaron will be a valuable leader as our Administration continues to invest in affordable housing, deliver critical services to those most in need, and build stronger neighborhoods across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

“The Department of Housing and Community Development delivers a wide variety of important services, ranging from heating oil assistance to affordable housing assistance,” said Secretary Bialecki. “We are pleased to have Aaron join our team as we continue to provide these vital services.”

“I look forward to working for the Patrick-Murray Administration to advance a robust affordable housing and community development agenda,” Gornstein said. “I am eager to help improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents across the state and to assist in the revitalization of communities.”

Gornstein has been the Executive Director of CHAPA since 1990, leading the private, non-profit research and advocacy group working on affordable housing and community development issues throughout the Commonwealth. Under Gornstein’s leadership, CHAPA has advocated for major state and federal legislation for affordable housing and community development programs, has seen membership increase from 250 members to 1,600 and has increased its annual budget from $350,000 to $3 million, and has initiated programs like a housing registry for people with disabilities and a certification program for non-profit homebuyer counseling agencies.

Gornstein has won numerous awards from both local and national organizations, and is recognized as a national leader on affordable housing. Before working at CHAPA, Gornstein was Associate Planner for the City of Cambridge and a Housing Services Coordinator for Tri-City Community Action Program in Malden. Gornstein has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters of Arts in urban and environmental policy from Tufts. He lives in Newton.

 

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