1. 2.13 Matters of State:
Advancing Policy
Priorities in State Capitals
July 22, 2013
430-6pm

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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…

12. 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!

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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!

18. 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

19. Homes for All- Structure
• Communication Strategies Committee
• Policy Committee
• Steering Committee
• General Coalition Meetings

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. CONTACT INFORMATION
Rich Hooks Wayman
richard@hearthconnection.org
651-645-0676
Hearth Connection, St. Paul, MN

25. Tools to Drive Policy
Edward J. SanFilippo, NAEH Policy Fellow
July 22, 2013

26. 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

27. Tools that tell a story
Outcomes:
what do
you want?
Data: use
your tools
Message:
choose a
sound
byte

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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:

31. Tools that tell a story: Strategic Advocacy Plan
GOAL OBJECTIVES STRATEGIES ACTIVITIES

32. 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

33. Gearing Up for State Advocacy

34. Any questions?
Edward J. SanFilippo
esanfilippo@naeh.org
www.endhomelessness.org