Integrating Employment and Housing to End Homelessness Workgroup Update

The Employment Workgroup: Purpose Statement The purpose of the NH ICH Employment Workgroup is to collectively identify ways to inform and improve policies and programs that support individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are seeking personal stability through employment.

Priority Areas Cliff Effect Employment and Training Transportation What impact does the cliff effect have on the employment outcomes of low wage workers? Employment and Training How effective are current employment and training programs in serving those who are experiencing homelessness? Transportation What are the transportation barriers and resources that exist for people experiencing homelessness? Identified Priority Areas based on the “Addressing Structural and Individual Barriers to Employment Readiness in New Hampshire” report.

Cliff Effect – Accomplishments and Current Standing Created a strong formal proposal to conduct an in-depth analysis of the cliff effect in NH. Currently analyzing funding feasibility and identifying most appropriate NH entity to pursue the funding and lead the project.

Employment and Training – Accomplishments Created Map of Employment Program Landscape Worked with 2-1-1 and employment training programs to enhance employment and training information and referrals. Engaged with state officials, including the governor’s office, regarding employment policies and funding opportunities

Employment and Training – Current Standing SNAP funding: $2 Million of USDA federal funds were approved in the most recent budget signed by the Governor.  DHHS is strategizing the systems and staffing needed to oversee and implement this program for the coming year. Granite Workforce: The State legislature tabled the Food Stamp bill that the Granite Workforce program funding was attached to.  There is work in the legislature to have Granite Workforce be its own standalone bill to avoid potential conflicts amongst other issues in a potentially combined bill. WIOA funding: Pilot program created to assess the accessibility of state employment programs for the homeless populations.

Workgroup History and Next Steps Began in Feb 2015 as a Employment Learning Collaborative Merged with the ICH workgroup in early 2016 Completed identified work in 2017 Workgroup will sunset as progress has been made on goals identified. New workgroup will be formed to address different issue areas.

New Workgroup Focus Coordination of Policy, Programming and Strategies between Homelessness and Substance Use Disorders (AKA SUD workgroup) Assess the effectiveness of NH SUD treatment programs in serving the homeless. Assess the gap/needs in NH homeless service agencies in meeting the needs of people suffering from SUD. Build awareness in commissions and departments about the connection between homelessness and SUD. Make policy and program recommendations to the ICH. Research Best Practices in serving those who are homeless and suffering from SUD.

New Workgroup Initiative Homelessness and SUD Policy, Resources and Strategy Integration Workgroup Identify workgroup members both on the ICH and in the community. Key Stakeholders Include: SUD Providers, Homeless Providers, Policy Makers, State Offices, Funders, Healthcare Providers, etc. Initiate workgroup