January 2020 eNews
January 30, 2020
Minnesota Coordinated Entry Prioritization Assessment Tool Work Group Update
This eNews is being sent on behalf of the Coordinated Entry Prioritization Assistance Tool (CEPAT) Work Group. If you are interested in following the work of this group, subscribe to our monthly eNews for updates.
Technical Assistance Update and Next Steps
Focus Strategies began its work in Minnesota to improve the coordinated entry (CE) assessment and prioritization tool and process. This includes 1) an assessment of the current CE system and tool, 2) engagement with stakeholders, including special populations (e.g. tribes, youth, domestic violence victims, veterans), and 3) researching alternative tools. The following outlines Focus Strategies expected timeline and more detailed steps. 
  1. Assessment of Minnesota’s current CEPAT and the process related to CE implementation, cultural sensitivity and trauma awareness:
    - January and February 2020: Review CE policies and procedures; review training materials from continuums of care (CoCs), the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative and state homeless programs
     - February and March 2020: Analyze CE/HMIS data focusing on disparities in VI-SPDAT scores by race, age, and gender 

  2. Engagement with stakeholders including special populations:
    - January and February 2020: Interview key stakeholders by email, video, or phone
    - March and April 2020: Host in-person focus group meetings

  3. Research alternative tools:
    - January and February 2020: Narrowed down to four alternative tools that are currently used in  Houston, Vermont, communities in west coast, and revised VI-SPDAT; continue to further pare down alternative tools 
    - April and May 2020: Develop final recommendations      
Engagement Opportunities for Stakeholders
In collaboration with the TA provider, the CEPAT work group will be engaging with CE stakeholders. This will include activities connecting with individuals and groups by geographic areas (inner-city, suburban, rural), special populations (tribes, youth, domestic violence victims, veterans, others), roles in CE system (assessors, prioritization list managers, agencies that accept referrals from CE), and people with lived experiences. The input collection process will be ongoing and efforts will include remote meeting technologies and in-person meetings in late March or early April. The work group will also target membership recruitment among special sub-populations.
CEPAT Work Group Members
  • Carla Solemn, West Central Continuum of Care
  • Ji-Young Choi, Minnesota Housing
  • Katherine Cross, Southeast Continuum of Care
  • Jay Vasek, Central Continuum of Care
  • Laura DeRosier, Hennepin County Continuum of Care OR Abby Guilford, Suburban Metro Area County of Care (alternate based on schedules)
  • Kelly Looby, Minnesota Department of Human Services
  • Mary Riegert, Minnesota Tribal Collaborative
  • Emily Salvaterra, Institute for Community Alliances (ICA)
  • Tammy Moreland, Minnesota Tribal Collaborative
  • Other regular participants include Hattie Hiler, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and Jane Lawrenz, community volunteer (Chair) 
The work group meets at Minnesota Housing on the first Monday of every month from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. and on the third Monday of every month from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. The meetings are open to the public. If you are interested, you can attend either in person or by GoToMeeting. Contact Ji-Young Choi if you have questions about the bi-monthly meetings. 
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
www.mnhousing.gov
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
400 Wabasha Street North Suite 400
Saint Paul, MN | 55102 US
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.