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Schedule Overview

Brochure

Day 1: Tuesday, August 15

Day 2: Wednesday, August 16

Sponsors

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023
10am-5pm

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2023
8am-12pm

Day 1: Tuesday, August 15, 2023

10:00am-5:00pm

9:00am-9:45am — Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking

10:00am — Conference Welcome

10:30am-11:15am — Beyond the DEI Acronym (BALLROOM)

This plenary will discuss why we lead with race when we talk about incorporating equity into our work. We will discuss Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in practice and ways in which we go beyond naming the acronym. We will round out the discussion by talking about ways attendees can begin to operationalize incorporating equity into their lives and work by thinking about the different ways racism and inequity show up – internally, interpersonally, institutionally, and structurally.

Presenters: HUD Technical Assistance (TA) Providers
Alissa Parrish
Ashley Barker-Tolman

11:20am-12:05pm — Nevada Interagency Council on Homelessness to Housing Strategic Plan (BALLROOM)

Representatives from the State Interagency Council on Homelessness to Housing (ICHH) will present on the structure, purpose of the ICHH; engage the audience in the strategic plan and the development of the action plan; provide information and how to enhance future partnerships between community partners and the ICHH; and receive feedback from the audience on the most pressing issues related to homelessness in the various communities across Nevada.

Presenters: Representatives from the NVICHH-Technical Assistance Subcommittee
Michele Fuller-Hallauer
Dr. Pamela Juniel
Brooke Page

12:15pm-1:00pm — Lunch

12:45pm-1:00pm — Dr. Richard Cho, HUD (BALLROOM)

Richard Cho serves as Senior Advisor for Housing and Services to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge. He will be discussing the efforts HUD is doing on a federal level to address the growing homeless crisis in the United States.

1:15pm-2:00pm — Elevating the Voices of People with Lived Experience

The Southern Nevada Lived X Consultants will educate the audience on the power of elevating the voice of People with Lived Experience to initiate policy change for realistic, positive outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness and the community as a whole. The Lived X Consultants will share why they came together, who they are, and what their mission is, as well as how they are elevating their expertise in homelessness to positively impact and create systemic change. The Lived X Consultants will share with you some of their experiences and their vision of addressing the devastating state of homelessness that communities around the nation are experiencing today!

Presenters: Southern Nevada Lived X Consultants
Martin Castro
Louis Hixson
Amy Jones
Donica Martinez
Davion Taylor

2:15pm-3:30pm — Breakout Sessions

Why Youth Homelessness Matters (THEATER/ROOM 309)

In this session, Why Youth Homelessness Matters, representatives from youth homelessness organizations in both Southern and Northern Nevada will discuss the youth homelessness crisis throughout our state, the unique nature of homelessness for youth, intersectional issues and systems, and how we’re coming together across Nevada to combat youth homelessness from all angles.

Presenters:
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY)
Arash Ghafoori (CEO)
Melissa Jacobowitz (Chief of Development & Strategy)
Lanette Rivera (Government Affairs & Policy Manager)

Eddy House
Trevor Macaluso (CEO)
Ryan Sexton (Chief Program Officer)
Amanda Wisehart
Kelsey Wallace

Our Place: Crisis Prevention through Crisis Intervention (GREAT ROOM/ROOM 403)

The OUR Place Coordinator, paired with the OUR Place mental health therapist and, a former OUR Place mental health therapist & current MOST team worker will show how the OUR Place model creates a safe and stable environment for guests by providing on-site mental health supports to help prevent the need for external supports (law enforcement, MOST, jail) to intervene or respond to the campus during a mental health crisis

Presenters:
Kimberly Schweickert
Justine Hernandez
Hilary Peterson

Housing as Healthcare: Innovations in Healthcare/Housing Partnerships (GOOD ROOM/ROOM 402)

This session will discuss the links between housing stability and health outcomes, and share information on innovations in providing housing as healthcare in NV.

Presenters
Emily Paulsen, Housing Program Manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Christopher Stadter, Supervisory Social Worker HCHV, Veteran Affairs
Austin Pollard, NV Housing Program Manager, Housing & Health, United Healthcare

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Shallow Subsidy: Long-Term Rental Assistance for Military Veterans and Families (ROOM 422)

The COVID-19 pandemic, aside from all its other life-changing impacts, has shown the social service field over the past few years exactly where it is undeserving our homeless and low-income populations. Many of us did not originally think the health and financial effects of the pandemic would last on for months, let alone years, and it is important for social services to adapt their programs to account for the long-term supportive needs of our communities instead of its majority short-term supports. U.S.VETS – Las Vegas is honored to be a part of this adaption for homeless and low-income military veterans and families. The SSVF Shallow Subsidy is long-term rental assistance and case management service for military veterans and their families. U.S.VETS believes our model has the ability to adapt to any current short-term housing supportive service program, and to any population in need of long-term housing support. There will be opportunities for Q&A at the end of the presentation, a printout of the finer points of our model to aid other housing providers in their own journey to adapting to long-term housing support, and a brief testimony highlighting a staff member’s professional and lived experience with housing supports.

Presenters:
Brittany Srp
Michael Goldberg

3:45pm-5:00pm — Breakout Sessions

Realizing Equity through Data and Action (THEATER/ROOM 309)

This session will be a hands-on discussion about the Annual Performance Report (APR) and Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), standard reports available to any project entering data in HMIS. We will discuss what the APR and CAPER are, how to run the reports in HMIS, and what the reports tell you about your project performance. Additionally, we will talk about Stella P(erformance), a CoC-level visualization that provides information about key performance metrics – length of time experiencing homelessness, exits to permanent destinations, and returns to homelessness. Attendees will be able to walk through their specific CoC’s data and understand how to interpret Stella P and use the data from it to inform their work. We will finish the discussion by circling back to the discussion about internal, interpersonal, institutional, and structural racism and inequity from the plenary and support attendees in walking away with actionable steps they can implement to do things differently.

Presenters: Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Technical Assistance (TA) Providers
Alissa Parrish
Ashley Barker-Tolman

From Idea to Impact: Navigating Nevada’s Policy Processes for Homelessness Advocacy (GREAT ROOM/ ROOM 403)

Join us in this engaging workshop, where we’ll delve into the intricacies of the policy process – particularly through the lens of housing and homelessness in Nevada. In examining the events of 82nd legislative session and learning to view policy processes through the Advocacy Coalition Framework, participants will gain valuable insights into navigating the policy landscape, from formulating impactful ideas to effectively advocating for change. We’ll explore successful strategies to bring forth legislation, empowering attendees to influence policy decisions that have a lasting impact on homelessness in Nevada. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or a newcomer to policy work, this session offers an essential understanding of the state’s policy process and an entryway into Nevada’s legislative process.

Presenters:
Amanda Vaskov, Government Affairs & Policy Manager, Nevada Housing Coalition
AND a SPECIAL GUEST!!

Medical Care for Special Populations within People Experiencing Homelessness (GOOD ROOM/ROOM 402)

The People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) population is very diverse, and it’s vital that we, as medical professionals, provide the best possible care by recognizing the intersectionality of this varied population. There are many population-specific medical concerns that each subsection will need addressed. Each population has different medical conditions, vaccination and testing considerations, and different resources available within the community. Those who frequently work with PEH populations, both medical and non-medical, should be aware of these specific concerns to provide the most effective integrated care for these very underserved clients. Specific conditions within PEH populations who warrant tailored medical care include women, LGBTQ+, youth/transitional youth, seniors, immigrants, and people with substance use disorder (SUD) and serious medical illness (SMI). We will review specific medical recommendations for each of these populations.

Presenters:
Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth, Assistant Professor, Associate Medical Director, Touro University Nevada
Mayra Gonzalez, Community Outreach Coordinator, Touro University Nevada

Supportive Housing in Nevada: Where we’ve been and where we’re going (ROOM 422)

With the passing of AB310 and ongoing dedication to supportive housing development by public funders, this session will engage a panel of service providers on the evolution of their work advancing supportive housing in Nevada, their goals, and barriers experienced. Let’s discuss the future of this evidence-based intervention in Nevada and explore where we can go with coordinated funding resources for capital, operating and services and the outcomes we can achieve together with an eye towards evaluation. Attendees will learn the evolution of local nonprofit community organizations as it relates to becoming supportive housing providers and will learn more about the potential of AB310, the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Fund. Attendees will provide input on capacity-building needs for the state to advance supportive housing development

Coordinator: Juawana Grant, NHC

Moderator: Brooke Page, CSH

Panelists:
Fuilala Riley, HELP of Southern Nevada
Roxanne DeCarlo, Empowerment Center
Benjamin Castro, RISE
Cristy Costa, Northern Nevada Community Housing

5:00pm — Day 1 Closing Remarks

5:10pm-7:00pm — Networking and Bar Service

Day 2: Wednesday, August 16, 2023

8:00am-12:00pm

7:00am-8:00am — Continental Breakfast, Networking

8:00am-9:15am — Kickoff to Day 2!

Conference Announcements (BALLROOM)

Interactive Activity: Instilling Hope Thru Case Making (BALLROOM)

Drawn from lessons in Strategic CaseMaking by The Case Made, this interactive activity will give us a chance to work with one another. We’ll create case statements and conversation starters about the future of the community that we are all seeking. Learn this strategy that can instill hope in stakeholders as we advocate for transformational change. You’ll be able to take some joy from the process, and leave with a tool you can adapt to your own organization.

Presenter:
Shalimar Cabrera

9:30am-10:15am — Breakout Sessions

Clark County: Housing Crisis Stabilization and Navigation (Theater/ROOM 309)

Clark County has implemented a non-congregate emergency housing and navigation center to connect homeless adults without children to housing, income, public benefits, and either physical or mental health services to help this population reach a goal of self-sufficiency. Clark County recognizes individuals as experts of their own lives and of their lived experience of homelessness, and Clark County understands that individuals know what will work for them in reaching change and recognize them as the central change agents; therefore, this program adopts a facilitative and supportive approach. In all aspects of the program, we respect and trust individuals’ self-knowledge, agency, and autonomy while guiding and supporting each individual in their chosen goals. Housing crisis stabilization and navigation services, through housing problem-solving practice, are able to address barriers upon immediate contact and provide a variety of services at one location versus referring individuals to alternative locations. Through private and public agency partnerships, challenges to addressing barriers and obtaining transitional housing-rapid rehousing are addressed.

Presenters:
Brenda Barnes
Andrew Combado, Management Analyst II, Clark County Department of Family Services

ACLU: Policy Presentation (GREAT ROOM/ROOM 403)

Summary coming soon

Presenters:
Lilith Baran

Overview and Challenges of the Rural CoC (GOOD ROOM/ ROOM 402)

Rural Nevada Continuum of Care: Overview of the RNCoC and Challenges faced in providing homeless services in Rural Nevada: The session will provide an overview of the Rural Nevada Continuum of Care which provides access to homeless services, including coordinated entry across 15 judications over 96,000 square miles in rural Nevada. The presenters will provide how challenges are being met, future planning for coordination of the CoC, and provide for questions and answers for the attendees.

Presenters:
Jackee Stewart, Office Supervisor, Churchill County
Karyn Smith, Human Services Director and Public Guardian, Nye County
Shannon Ernst, Director and Public Guardian, Churchill County

Current Trends in Drugs of Abuse (ROOM 422)

Are you prepared for the societal changes coming with the legalization of hallucinogens? Where are we with the opioid epidemic? And what’s this new drug that’s so dangerous that the DEA has issued a rare public alert? What do we need to consider when we look at drug and alcohol abuse in the homeless population? Come hear about the current trends in drugs of abuse, including alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and hallucinogens.

Presenter:
Kelly Swan, CEO- RENEW Therapeutic Enhancement Services

10:30am-11:15am — Breakout Sessions

Lived X Secret Shopper Experience (THEATER/ROOM 309)

The Southern Nevada Lived X Consultants will go into detail about their Secret Shopper project. They will explain why the Secret Shopper project was a necessary tool to assess Coordinated Entry sites throughout the local Continuum of Care. They will present their methodology, the process, and the outcome that measured the effectiveness of service provisions within the Coordinated Entry sites. The Lived X Consultants elevated recommendations and next steps to implementing a more person-centered, equitable, and trauma-informed experience for people accessing Coordinated Entry as well as the homeless response system. There will be Q&A and audience participation.

Presenters: Southern Nevada Lived X Consultants
Martin Castro
Louis Hixson
Amy Jones
Donica Martinez
Davion Taylor

Painting a Clear Picture: The 5 C’s of Effective Communication (GREAT ROOM/ ROOM 403)

“Painting a Clear Picture – The 5 C’s of Communication” is a dynamic training based on insights from Brené Brown’s work. This interactive session explores effective communication strategies using the 5 C’s – Color, Context, Connective Tissue, Cost, and Consequence. Participants engage in interactive assignments to practice these concepts, and therefore reinforce impactful communication. Clear communication is emphasized as an act of kindness, fostering better understanding and alignment in teams. Participants leave with practical tools to enhance communication effectiveness and build stronger connections in the workplace.

Presenter:
Michelle Johnston, Director of Behavioral Health for U.S.VETS – Las Vegas

We Live in a Child Care Desert: Changing the Child Care Landscape in Nevada (GOOD ROOM/ROOM 402)

Lack of access to affordable, quality child care disrupts the workforce which causes loss of wages, loss of jobs, and ultimately impacts the security of housing. Families in Nevada spend between 27-38% of their income on child care. In-home child care not only offers a safe environment for children whose parents need to work but allows the in-home child care Provider a place to live and maintain a steady income. This presentation will explore some of the barriers to opening an in-home child care and what we can do as organizations to break down those barriers.

Presenters:
Mary Regan, Las Vegas Urban League-Early Childhood Connection, Child Care and Resource Manager
Melissa Aschenbach, Wonderschool, Program Manager-New Supply

Person Centered Approaches (ROOM 422)

In this session you will experience an Interactive adventure into person-centered services and harm reduction. An opportunity to engage in a safe space and discuss concerns and frequently asked questions when it comes to person centered modalities.

Presenters:
Krystal Ellison, Independent Contractor
Kelly Swan, CEO- RENEW Therapeutic Enhancement Service

11:30am-12:00pm — Closing Remarks

Summary coming soon