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We hope to see all of you at the next Continuum of Care Meeting on April 9th! As part of our ongoing bi-county collaboration, the Suncoast Partnership is pleased to announce that Turning Points will be providing services under the Homeless Prevention Grant awarded to our organization through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Although the grant is small ($16,066) and the timeline short (3 months), we believe that this project will be expanded in next year's state budget. Turning Points provided significant Match, and will provide needed case management, rental assistance and utility payments for18 Manatee County families at risk of homelessness.
With Spring comes the 2014 Florida legislative session. There are several important pieces of legislation for us to follow which are outlined in the link below. Challege Grant funding, a sunshiine exemption for Homeless information, and CoC funding are all at stake.
2014 Florida Legislative Items on Homelessness
As service providers and other community leaders continue to meet one-on-one with legislators to advocate for people experiencing homelessness and those at risk, we ask that these bills be highlighted. You can follow the progress of this legislation at:
Track Progress
Important Dates!
There will be a Veterans and Homeless Stand Down on Saturday, April 26th from 8 a.m to 11:30 a.m. at the Sarasota County Health Department on 2200 Ringling Boulevard. Please bring your I.D. if available (VA Card or DD-214).
Numerous services to be provided include: help with accessing VA benefits and services, housing assistance for homeless vets, counseling and substance abuse referrals, legal services, health screenings, employment services, and more! Items offered will include non-perishable food items, VA surplus items (blankets, etc.), personal care items and food and refreshments.
Registration Now Open!
The 2014 Florida Institute on Homelessness & Supportive Housing is an incredible opportunity of regional interest and impact convened by the Florida Coalition for the Homeless and the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition. This year's conference theme is Achieving Results, Making a Difference Through Best Practices and will be held from October 1-3rd at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. Take advantage of early registration and hotel discounts by clicking here.
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Continuum of Care Meeting
 Meeting Details
What: CoC Meeting
When: Wednesday, April 9th / Time 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: New College of Florida, Sudakoff Center
Who: You! A detailed New College campus map showing location of the Sudakoff Conference Center may be viewed by clicking here: Pei Campus Map.
To view a complete annual meeting schedule, please click here:
CoC Schedule 2014.
CoC Membership Encouraged!
If you have not already done so, please consider becoming a voting Member of our Continuum of Care! We are stronger together as we continue our work assisting those most vulnerable in our population. Links to the application and benefits are below.
2013/14 CoC Membership Application
Membership Benefits
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Congratulations!
Carolyn Mason, Board Chair for Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness was recently named best Sarasota County Commissioner in a recent readership poll by SRQ Magazine. While she will be coming off of her commission chairmanship after having been re-elected for a second term her dedicated community service is well noted!
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Affordable Housing Updates
 Fair Housing Training
Real estate agents, landlords, property managers, architects, multifamily developers, permitting officers and all community members are invited to free fair housing seminars offered by the City and County of Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development on April 24. Click link below for details.
Free Fair Housing Seminars
Florida Housing Finance Corporation Updated Funding Schedule
FHFC continues to update its funding cycle for 2014. The link below now shows upcoming funding for housing for persons with disabilities, permanent supportive housing for persons with disabilities, and units for extremely low income households.
FHFC Tentative 2013-2014 Funding Time Lines
If you or your organization has an interest in pursuing one of the grants, please email David Klimut, Suncoast Partnership Special Projects Developer at [email protected].
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Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals, Services in Supportive Housing
Available amount: $1,200,000
New Funding Opportunity!
The main goal of this U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program is to ensure treatment and services for veterans who experience homelessness and chronic homelessness, and non-veteran individuals and families who experience chronic homelessness.
A total of 25 awards will be available with a maximum amount of $400,000 per year for a period of up to 3 years. For a complete RFP, please click here. Deadline for submission is April 25, 2014.
Resource Associates also offers discounted grant writing services with over 20 years experience. If interested, please visit www.grantwriters.net to review additional grant opportunities and learn more about how their grant services can benefit your organization.
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In the Spotlight
 The Herald Tribune recently published a news article on March 2nd by Shelby Webb which highlights the early successes of The Center of Hope of South County in operating a day resource center for the homeless in the heart of the historic district in Nokomis. Homeless Center slowly making peace with neighborsTo read inspirational work being done by a nonprofit to change criminal behavior through a practical, comprehensive approach see the recent dedication of the 'Jacksonville Bridge' which now serves as a temporary residence for some 300 men in transition, work release or residential substance abuse treatment. The Jacksonville Bridge boasts an 11 acre campus and state of the art classrooms, multipurpose rooms, dormitories and an outdoor pavilion by a pond with a walking track around it. Bridges of America is growing in other areas of the state, too. Not only has Bridges of America acquired three new locations, but there are employment opportunities in eight Florida counties. To learn more, please click Bridges of America. In the National News Please click below for an informative article published on the OneCPD homepage regarding Tuberculosis (TB), a serious health concern for people experiencing homelessness and those working with homeless populations. Federal studies have shown that TB rates are 10 times higher for people experiencing homelessness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that over half of the patients involved in TB outbreaks between 2010 - 2012 did not have a place to call home. Preventing and Addressing Tuberculosis Among People Experiencing Homelessness |
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Ways to Engage 
There are a number of groups that regularly meet that share in our agency's mission to end and prevent homelessness. These meetings are open to the public and no R.S.V.P. is required. Come and participate as your schedule allows!
New Meeting Time! Sarasota Community of Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) has a Homeless Strike Team, Chaired by Tina Steele. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at the Health Department, 2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, in Room 2063, starting at 3 p.m., and can also be joined via Skype. Next meeting will be on April 7th.
S.T.A.R. Consortium meeting: The Sarasota Transition and Re-Entry Consortium, Chaired by Jasmine Cresswell meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Health Department, 2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, Room 226. Please note the March 10th meeting is cancelled (participants encouraged to attend the Community Alliance of Sarasota County Homeless Committee meeting in support (see details below) , next meeting will be April 14th.
New Meeting Time! The Focus Group on Homelessness facilitated by Liz Nolan, functions like a CHAT (Community Health Action Team), and is a constructive, solutions-based group. In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, members work together to discuss, develop, and employ commonsense strategies that help people emerge from homelessness. Meetings at Sarasota City Hall at 1565 First Street in Room 112, on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Attendance is open, with regular participation by homeless individuals and representation by current city manager. Next meeting will be on April 15th.
P.A.T.H. meetings (People Assisting the Homeless) are held for the Manatee County homeless coalition by Turning Points. Meetings are the third Thursday of each month at The United Way building, 1701 Tamiami Trail in Bradenton from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Next meeting will be April 17th.
Community Alliance of Sarasota County has formed a new Homeless Committee, being chaired by Paul Sutton, who is also a Suncoast Partnership Board Member. Leslie Loveless also serves on this committee and on the Community Alliance Steering Committee. The purpose of this group to help facilitate and coordinate workable solutions around preventing and ending homelessness. Everyone is encouraged to attend their next meeting scheduled Thursday, May 15th at 10 a.m. at The Salvation Army Sarasota on 1701 South Tuttle Avenue.
Rapid Re-housing for Homeless VeteransRose Marie Stauffer, Group Chair, from the Veterans Affairs Office aims to meet monthly to assist veterans with housing, particularly the chronically homeless. Email her at [email protected] for more details. |
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Events this Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so please join Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center with other community partners in their efforts to raise awareness about sexual violence in our community. Click to view their scheduled events.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, in partnership with area faith-based institutions, is proud to present MUSIC MAKES COMMUNITY, a celebration of music for all ages! The event will take place on Thursday, April 3 at 8:15pm at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The concert features a variety of music that is sure to please - from Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service, to works from Gershwin and Copland, Ladino folk songs, Broadway favorites and more. Click here to learn more.
2nd Annual Family Fun Walk and Fun Festival
Turning Points Fundraiser
Saturday, April 5th
Help raise awareness and funds for homeless kids in our community!
This year the walk will take place at the Beautiful Coquina Beach in Bradenton. Walk registration opens at 4pm and the one mile beach walk begins at 5:30pm. Registration for individuals is $20, Students are $10, and a family is $45. Large groups (of up to 12 people) are $200. After the walk there will be tons of fun activities for families including an exciting sand castle competition, bounce house, face painting, great food and music. To learn more and to register, please visit: www.turningpointswalk.org.
Free! All American Family Day + Salute to Veterans
Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
Sunday, April 6th
A full day of family activities, plus a free concert by Grammy-award-winning band, America! All activities and concerts are free! For more information, click here.Fore the Love of Habitat Golf TournamentLaurel Oaks Country Club, Sarasota
Monday, April 14th
Support the Team! Charlotte "Band Together" as they raise funds to benefit the homeless in Charlotte County
Saturday, April 26th
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Five different bands to play)
Hurricane Charley's in Punta Gorda
Call Claudia DeBruyn at (781) 799-7570 to learn more on supporting this event for Charlotte County Homeless Coalition!
SAVE THE DATE!
Strong Voices / Strong Subjects Lecture SeriesSponsored by Project 180The Community Foundation of Sarasota CountyApril 4th, May 2nd and June 6th Series to explore the impact of prisoner reentry upon the community, to be followed by panel discussions with local leaders. Leslie Loveless will be the keynote speaker on May 2nd to discuss the topic of homelessness, unemployment and other barriers.
Cost of each lecture is $23 and includes lunch. To register, please call Kim Noyes at 925-2970 or email: [email protected]. For complete lecture schedule, please click here. The 36-Hour Challenge
Tuesday, May 6th
Join us for this online community giving event. Donations will support Suncoast Partnership mission to end and prevent homelessness in our community. There will also be opportunities to have your gift matched and other grant incentives, so we thank you for your consideration!
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Mobile Health Services Offered at Several County sites in April
Sarasota County Health Department's Health in Motion, Mobile Medical Unit staff to provide free and low-cost health services at several sites around the county during April.
Services to include:
- Diabetes Education and Screening
- Blood Pressure Tests
- Pregnancy Testing
- HIV Testing
- Body Mass Index Measurement
- *Adult Immunizations and Health Education (*Not available at all sites)
No appointment is needed. Some services are free, including HIV-rapid testing with results in 20 minutes. Other services are provided on a sliding-fee scale based on income. A registered nurse is available at all sites. While these services are most often proved in a 40-foot-long bus, there are times when services are provided inside the facilities visited.
Click to view a schedule of dates and locations for the mobile unit.
View here for Mobile Health Service information in Spanish.
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Help Spread the News!
The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness provides these updates to keep you informed about opportunities to better serve those in our community that are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Please share this with others who may be interested, and encourage them to join our mailing list. A subscription button is found near the top left of this e-newsletter.
If you would like to include a future agency event around the issue of preventing and/or ending homelessness in an upcoming Suncoast Partnership e-newsletter, please contact Jackie McNeil at [email protected].
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Thank you for all you do!
Sincerely,
Leslie Loveless
Executive Director
Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness |
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