1. Unsheltered Count Training

2. Agenda
Overview
Unsheltered Count Information
Counting Us Application

3. What is a Point-In-Time Count?
A snapshot of how many homeless individuals are in your community on a single day.
On the local level, point-in-time counts help communities plan services and programs to appropriately address local needs, measure progress in decreasing homelessness, and identify strengths and gaps in a community’s current homelessness assistance system.

4. Why we count… FUNDING EXTENT AWARENESS
Eligibility to apply for CoC funds
EXTENT
Trends of homelessness in the local area
Characteristics of those experiencing homelessness
New programs
AWARENESS
Raise community awareness
Raise political awareness

5. Unsheltered Count
A count of people who are homeless but not in a shelter or transitional housing program is referred to as an unsheltered count.
The unsheltered count requires identification of homeless people that are living on the street, in abandoned buildings, in their vehicles, tents, shanties, parks, woods, transportation stations, or other places not meant for human habitation on January 25th.

6. Volunteers!

7. PIT Prep and Forms Download and practice using Counting Us App
Make sure to have full battery
If possible, check out your PIT section ahead of time
Volunteer Interviewing Guide
Day of Count Cheat Sheet
Volunteer Hour Tracker sheet
Submit to PIT lead

8. Common Unsheltered Places
Street/sidewalk
Vehicle (car, van, RV, truck)
Park
Abandoned building
Bus, train station, airport
Under bridge/overpass
Woods/outdoor encampment

9. Survey Steps
There are five steps to completing an unsheltered PIT count survey. As an unsheltered volunteer you should:
Identify yourself, engage potential participants and explain the purpose of the count.
Deliver the script and the consent process. Obtain verbal consent to proceed.
Ask the screening questions. Determine if the individual is eligible.
If eligible, administer the survey questions, recording the participant’s responses. If ineligible, thank them for their time and move on.
Thank the respondent for their participation. If possible, provide the participant with donated items.

10. Sample Script
Hello, my name is ___________________, and I am helping ________________conduct a short survey of our community. We would like to learn more about people experiencing homelessness, what kinds of problems they face, and whether or not their needs are being met. Your participation is strictly voluntary, and all of your responses are confidential. Your privacy will be protected and respected. If questions make you uncomfortable you do not have to answer them. Would you be willing to take a few minutes to answer some questions?

11. Safety Do
Don’t
Ask a person to participate if you think they are homeless
Introduce yourself and explain what you are doing
Be sincere and caring
Remain calm
Know how to de-escalate
Know emergency numbers
Know appropriate distance
Honor requests to not participate
Provide shelter information if possible
Dress appropriately
Leave valuables behind
Wake up someone
Approach if you don’t feel comfortable
Mandate participation
Invade personal space
Cross barriers
Promise anything you can’t deliver
Be judgmental
Give money or offer rides
Share any confidential info or photos of participants
Panic
Put anyone in danger
Deviate from the survey

12. Best Practices Familiarize yourself with the survey
Communicate your intentions to prospective survey participants
Obtain consent to administer the survey
Express confidence and compassion
When surveying individuals within a group, prioritize safety and protect participant’s information
Come up with a safety phrase for discomfort amongst your team
Know volunteer expectations
Know community resources

13. Tips Be aware of your surroundings Always travel in pairs
Be respectful and understanding
Make sure to get consent before starting the survey
Remember survey information is confidential
Contact PIT lead immediately if:
Someone is in danger/hurt
Made a mistake with the app
Lost or unable to locate team
Need any other type of help

14. Checklist Items to bring with you: Comfortable clothes and shoes
Fully charged cell phone (portable charger if possible)
Flashlight (if conducting count at night or early morning)
Pen and notepad
Vehicle if necessary
“Goodie bags” to pass out if provided

15. Counting Us App

16. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!!!

17. Slide for PIT Leads Other training items:
Create sign-in sheet for volunteers
Include: name, , and phone number
Day and time of count
Time volunteers need to be at sites
How teams will be divided
Identify team lead and have them connect with other team members
Determine if transportation is necessary
If so, determine who will drive
What to expect on the day of the count
Target populations
Figure out which volunteers may work with or know of where to find sub- populations such as: veterans, youth, families with children
Remind volunteers that on the day of the count they should enter “set-up key” TXBOS18 into the Counting Us app to conducts surveys.