1. 2017 National Conference on Ending Homelessness Engaging Individuals with Lived Experience of Homelessness in the Point-in-Time Count July 19, 2017
Peter Connery, Applied Survey Research Samantha Green, Applied Survey Research

2. Agenda About Applied Survey Research
Engaging Experts in the Point-in-Time Count
Special Outreach
Value of Partnering with Individuals with Lived Experience
Recruitment Timeline
Identifying Areas and Experts
Guide Role Description
Referral Cards
Management of Guides
Lessons Learned
Feedback from the Field

3. About Applied Survey Research
ASR is a 36-year-old non-profit research firm dedicated to helping build better communities. We are dedicated to community engagement and peer- to-peer data collection. ASR has completed approximately 100 Point-in-Time Counts across the United States since 1999.

4. Special Outreach
Conducting a thorough and accurate Point-in-Time (PIT) Count requires special outreach efforts to ensure even hard-to-reach populations and areas are adequately represented, while also ensuring the safety of count participants.
Youth
Vehicularly housed
Encampment residents
Immigrants or refugees
Other hard-to-reach areas or populations
Involving individuals with lived experience of homelessness helps to achieve this goal, and requires additional planning and coordination to facilitate meaningful participation across diverse groups of individuals.

5. Value of Partnering with Individuals with Lived Experience
Individuals with lived experience bring a range of skills and expertise to the PIT Count, including:
Knowledge of specific locations
Determination of visual cues to assess individuals and environments
Familiarity with patterns of movement and activity
Increased credibility and transparency
Inclusivity

6. Engaging Individuals with Lived Experience in the PIT Count
Individuals with lived experience of homelessness are vital to obtaining the most accurate data possible during the PIT Count.
Opportunities to involve individuals with lived experience exist throughout the count process – from planning and conducting the count to results dissemination.
While volunteer recruitment often involves casting a wide net, recruitment of individuals with lived experience requires more targeted coordination with service providers.

7. Recruitment Timeline Timeline: September 2017 – January 2018
Identify and Engage Diverse Set of Service Provider Partners
Set Quotas for Number of Guides and Identify Sub-populations Needed
Provide Partners Guidelines and Tools to Recruit Guides
Identify and Engage Individuals with Lived Experience in Planning (e.g. Hot Spot Identification)
Identify and Pre-Assign Special Outreach Teams
Begin General Guide Recruitment (2-3 Weeks Prior to the Count)

8. Identifying Areas and Experts
Identifying and engaging a diverse set of partners should include both traditional homeless services providers as well as other community stakeholders with knowledge of locations and relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness. For example:
Street outreach teams
Police and Sherriff’s departments
Drop-in centers/day shelters
Emergency shelters
Code enforcement
Meal programs
Park services
Libraries
Public transit
Mobile health clinics
Faith community

9. Guide Role Description
18 years of age or older
Current or recent experience of homelessness
Guide team members through assigned area to conduct the visual count, identifying locations where individuals experiencing homelessness might be observed
Compensation: Cash stipend of $15/hour for training and field work, received upon completion of shift on the day of the count

10. Guide Referral Card

11. Management of Guides Encourage highly selective guide recruitment
Implement quota-based recruitment using referral cards
Recognize participation through guide compensation
Facilitate guide transportation to training and the count
If possible, assign staff to manage recruitment process and provide oversight and support
Be fair and be transparent: State what will happen and follow through
Be appreciative and respectful

12. Lessons Learned
Engage community partners early. Community and service provider buy-in can take time, and engagement should begin early in the planning process. Having a designated staff to oversee the guide recruitment process is especially helpful in building relationships.
Emergency shelters, drop-in centers, and street outreach teams are most effective in guide recruitment. These programs typically have the most frequent, day-to-day contact with individuals possessing the street expertise needed for the count and can help facilitate participation.

13. Lessons Learned
Timing of recruitment and staff support are key to retention. Ideally, guide recruitment takes place 2-3 weeks from the count date and service providers facilitate guide participation.
Prioritize guide assignments based on expertise needed, and encourage flexibility. Match guides to their area of expertise whenever possible while emphasizing flexibility. Prioritize areas where knowledge and/or relationships are most needed to cover an area.
Guide expertise exceeds the boundaries of a given count area. Even if guides aren’t familiar with a specific area, drawing on their experience living outdoors is still an invaluable asset to count teams.

14. Feedback from the Field
Guide participation in the PIT Count is a positive experience that is empowering for individuals with lived experience and enlightening for volunteers.
Engaging individuals with lived experience in the count can be a big shift for communities – it is important to manage volunteer expectations, prepare for community feedback, and focus on the bigger picture.
Involvement in the PIT Count can ultimately lead to greater partnerships with individuals experiencing homelessness in improving the current system of care.

15. Thank You Peter Connery, Applied Survey Research
Samantha Green, Applied Survey Research