Category: Community

The Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) hopes to collaborate with TPCH and other local organizations on a two-year project Let’s Measure Better* seeking to identify and address gaps in information that are available and widely accessible about homelessness and housing insecurity in Pima County.

We need the expertise of people who work to end homelessness and who directly serve people experiencing homelessness to learn more about where there are gaps in available data.

Is there information related to homelessness or housing insecurity that prevents you from meeting individual/community needs or operating effectively and efficiently? Are there examples of information that you currently do not have but that would be helpful to you in your work?

We want to hear about these data gaps and strategize about how to address them together. SIROW will be holding a series of focus groups in coming weeks to solicit your input on these topics and learn more about specific data that might be very helpful to you. There are multiple sessions to provide multiple opportunities for you to attend, but no one is expected to attend more than one session.

June 16th 3:00-4:30
https://arizona.zoom.us/j/82893021864

June 21st 10:00-11:30
https://arizona.zoom.us/j/86450832010

June 30th 3:00-4:30
https://arizona.zoom.us/j/88900552648

These focus groups are the beginning of a two-year process in which SIROW researchers will assess community data needs, work to facilitate access and/or creation of these data, and house this information in a publicly available dashboard (as appropriate). Your participation is both deeply appreciated and critical to the success of this project. If you cannot attend a focus group, but have ideas about data needs that would like to share, we will be in touch at a later date with alternative ways to participate.

If you have any questions about this project, please do not hesitate to contact Keith Bentele (Associate Research Professor at SIROW) at keithb@arizona.edu or (954) 621-5141 or Claudia Powell (Associate Director of SIROW) at (520)730-5669.

Thank you!

Full Zoom access details:

Topic: Let’s Measure Better Focus Group 1
Time: Jun 16, 2022 03:00 PM Arizona

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Meeting ID: 828 9302 1864
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Topic: Let’s Measure Better Focus Group 2
Time: Jun 21, 2022 10:00 AM Arizona

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Meeting ID: 864 5083 2010
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Topic: Let’s Measure Better Focus Group 3
Time: Jun 30, 2022 03:00 PM Arizona

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+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
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+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
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Meeting ID: 889 0055 2648
Find your local number: https://arizona.zoom.us/u/kj3JRJ15a

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https://arizona.zoom.us/skype/88900552648

City of Tucson Issues Request for Proposals ESG-CV Homelessness Prevention Services (Proposals Due July 12, 2022 by 12pm AZ Time)

The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) is pleased to announce the release of a new ESG-CV Homelessness Prevention Services Request for Proposals (RFP). This RFP will provide $250,000 in CARES Act Emergency Solutions Grant funds for the administration of expanded homelessness prevention services to prevent individuals and families from experiencing homelessness. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Application Deadline Applications must be received on or before 12pm Arizona time on July 12, 2022 and include all required forms and documents.   Pre-Proposal Conference The City of Tucson HCD will host a virtual pre-proposal conference for all interested applicant organizations on Thursday, June 16 at 10:00am (AZ Time). All prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. Click here to register for the pre-proposal conference.  Request for Proposals and Application Materials Visit https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/news/2022-ESG-CV-HP-RFP to download the Request for Proposals and associated application materials.

CITY OF TUCSON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

TEMPORARY POSITION AVAILABLE (POSTING DATE: JUNE 7, 2022)

Community Services Project Coordinator (Homeless Vaccine Ambassador)

Position is open until filled. Please follow instructions below to apply.

Download this position description as a PDF to save or share.

The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development is currently accepting applications for the position of temporary Community Services and Neighborhood Resources Project Coordinator (Homeless Vaccine Ambassador) to administer the City’s summer-long COVID-19 vaccine initiative which will provide vaccine education, coordinate vaccination events, and provide cash stipends to individuals and families experiencing homelessness who receive the COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster. 

**Note** This is a temporary position. Employment period will begin as soon as possible and end on or before September 30, 2022.  Selected candidates will be employed by the City of Tucson’s contracted temporary employment agency and assigned to this project. Selected candidates will not be classified as City of Tucson employees but will serve as a representative of the City and be obligated to adhere to applicable City of Tucson Administrative Directives and departmental policies. 

This position requires regular use of personal vehicle to attend vaccine events within the City limits and does not include insurance, mileage reimbursement, or other benefits.  This position provides on-site service at daily vaccination events with limited telecommuting opportunity.  The starting rate of pay for this position shall be between $22.83/hour and $31.52/hour, dependent upon experience.

The City of Tucson values the safety of our employees, our residents, our community, and our visitors.  In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or you must request an exemption from your representative. New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before beginning work.

To apply: Please email elle.millyard@tucsonaz.gov with any questions or to apply for this position.  To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter that describes your qualifications for the position and prior experience. 

Individuals with lived experience of homelessness and housing instability, BIPOC persons, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Specific Job Duties

• Schedule and coordinate daily vaccination events at area shelters, day centers, and programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Develop and distribute campaign promotional materials in partnership with vaccination event hosts, Pima County Health Department, HCD community engagement staff, and contractors.
• Provide vaccine education to people experiencing homelessness.
• Facilitate vaccine ambassadorship training for homeless services staff at area shelters, day centers, and programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Coordinate the purchase, secure storage, delivery, and tracking of vaccine incentives for eligible individuals and families.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and legible records demonstrating that vaccine incentives have been delivered to eligible persons upon receipt of vaccine dose(s).
• Enter participant data into the Homeless Management Information System and other data repositories as required.
• Complete programmatic reporting and communications.
• Responsibly use and return in good working condition all City-issued equipment including but not limited to laptop device, software, and telephone.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products and common technologies
• Associate degree or commensurate professional experience
• At least 2 years of experience in community services

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
• Prior experiencing providing and/or coordinating services for individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness.
• Prior experience entering data into the Homeless Management Information System.
• Prior experience working in and/or coordinating the delivery of public health resources and education to vulnerable populations, including persons experiencing homelessness.

Apply Now

Please email elle.millyard@tucsonaz.gov with any questions or to apply for this position.  To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter that describes your qualifications for the position and prior experience. 

Download this position description as a PDF to save or share.

Download the 2022 Summer Sun Cooling Station flyer (English and Spanish) here.

For a map of these cooling centers. hydration stations, pools and splash pads, see this link. 

TPCH CONTINUUM OF CARE BOARD AND COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

ALL VOTES DUE BY 11:59PM ON TUESDAY, MAY 17

Please attend Thursday’s General Council Annual meeting when the voting to elect TPCH leadership begins.  Members of the TPCH General Council with voting privileges are eligible to vote on all vacant Board and Committee seats.

Am I eligible to vote in this election? 

Check the current roster of TPCH General Council members with voting privileges here.

ELECTION MATERIALS

Download the Board and Committee election materials here. This package includes:

• Overview of the election process and voting instructions
• Roster of current members of TPCH General Council with voting privileges as of May 6, 2022
• Roster of seated CoC Board Members
• Roster of CoC Board and Committee candidates
• Listing of CoC Board and Committee candidates with indication of desired areas of expertise as defined by the TPCH Committee Composition Operating Policy and key diversity goals
• Candidate statements of interest and affiliations
• Overview of CoC Committee purpose and summarized responsibilities
• Quick Reference tool identifying candidates by organization and bodies to which each candidate has applied

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

Voting will occur online, starting May 12. Cast your vote here.

Only one ballot may be cast for each TPCH voting member identified in the membership roster.  Multiple votes from the same agency will not be accepted.

Ballots may not include votes for more candidates than are eligible for election on any voting body. The ballot indicates the total number of votes that can be cast for each voting body.

No individual may serve on more than two elected bodies of the Continuum of Care (CoC Board + 1 Committee, or 2 Committees).

No agency may have more than two representatives seated on any elected body. If an agency has two elected representatives, each representative will have one vote on all actions taken by the elected body.

All ballots must be cast online no later than 11:59pm on Tuesday, May 17. 

Late ballots will not be accepted.

Starting May 12, Cast your vote here.

TPCH Quarterly Membership Meeting Thursday, May 12

3pm-5pm (Zoom) 

Join us for the second quarterly General Council meeting (Annual Meeting) of the TPCH membership on Thursday, May 12.  This meeting will be held virtually and pre-registration is required.

For a list of members eligible to vote in this meeting, see the TPCH Voting Member Roster linked below. 

Click here to register for the May 12 General Council Meeting.

After registering, you will receive an automated email with details to access the meeting.

Summary Meeting Agenda

Community Celebrations
Facilitated by Daniela Figueroa, CoC Board Chairperson

Quarterly Update on TPCH Activities and Financials
Presented by Karen Fogas, CoC Lead Agency (City of Tucson)

TPCH Committee and Coalition Updates
Presented by Committee and Coalition Leaders

Overview of the Board and Committee Application Process
Presented by Karen Fogas, CoC Lead Agency (City of Tucson)

Download May 12 Meeting Materials

TPCH General Council Meeting Agenda (May 12, 2022)

TPCH Voting Member Roster as of May 12, 2022

TPCH General Council Meeting Minutes (February 10, 2022)

Striving Toward Racial Justice
Issue #9- Embracing the Journey and Continuing the Work

TPCH released Striving Toward Racial Justice: A Call-to-Action for Pima County Community-Based Organizations, in partnership with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women in November 2021.  As we begin 2022, we are calling on community organizations and our housing partners to deepen our shared resolve to advancing racial equity.  This email series provides a summary of key concepts and strategies discussed in the Call to Action and i packed with useful resources and tools to help community organizations as they strive toward racial justice.  In this issue, we introduce the final key actions defined in the Call to Action: Embracing the Journey and Continuing the Work.  The work of advancing racial justice is ongoing and we are called on to commit long-term if the the seeds of equity we are planting within our organizations and communities are to take hold.     Action 7: Embrace the Journey and Continue the Work   Racial justice work is not easy or comfortable. Authentic work includes having difficult conversations, facing intense emotions and, potentially, losing colleagues. People have held their own personal belief systems long before they were asked to do this work in an organization. At times, it can feel as though the work is stalled and there is nowhere to go. However, that is part of the work and often a step along the path. Unfortunately, there is no endpoint to racial justice efforts. It is not as simple as creating a plan and completing the plan. Racial justice requires a long-term commitment and people committed to keeping a racial justice lens on all aspects of the organization. Fortunately, committing to racial justice makes the work more natural and easier to implement.   Ultimately, the hope for more just organizations far outweighs the inevitable challenges.

Watch “Sustainable Change Toward Racial Equity: Behind the Book with Robert Livingston”, author of The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations.   

Recommended Strategies

Maintain the group that is created to focus on racial justice.

Though members may rotate out of the group, the work is perpetual, not a one-time initiative.

Provide ongoing opportunities for stakeholders to share information, perspectives, suggestions, and reports of racial bias.

Share organizational expectations of racial justice during the interview process of new hires.

Ensure that racial justice training and internal work is part of the onboarding process.

Create innovative strategies (book clubs, activism, cultural activities) for people to continue to engage in racial justice work in an informal way.

Review data and consider other elements to analyze.

Celebrate organizational and individual accomplishments        

Resources for the Journey

Accountability Statement: What Does Accountability Look Like for Me and White People in General? 
Robin DiAngelo

Bolstering Real-Time Learning and Course Correction
Dan Wilson and Marilyn Darling, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Signet Research & Consulting, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

Five Steps Toward Anti-Racism Accountability
Mavis Joy Manaloto et al, StageSource

How Can We Create Reasonable Expectations for the Success of the Group’s Strategies while Still Being Accountable?
Center for Assessment and Policy Development 

How Can We Make Evaluation and Data Tracking Routine? 
Center for Assessment and Policy Development

How Can We Use Evaluation Findings to Reflect on and Adjust Our Work? 
Center for Assessment and Policy Development

How YWCA Boston is Using Data for Racial Equity
Kemarah Sika and Dr. Sarah Faude, Borealis Philanthropy  

Authors  

It is with the upmost admiration, respect and appreciation that we thank the authors for their critical contribution to this call-to action. In addition to their daily tireless commitment and relentless dedication to achieving racial justice in our community, they lent their expertise and passion to the hopeful notion that local organizations are willing to better serve their clients and better support their staff. Each of you makes our community a more just place.  

Claudia Powell
Casey Chimneystar Limón-Condit
Marisol Flores-Aguirre
Anna Harper-Guerrero
Mildred Manuel
Andrés Portela III
Claudio Rodriguez    

DOWNLOAD THE FULL CALL TO ACTION

WATCH THE VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE CALL TO ACTION