1. Barrier Busters New Member Orientation

2. Barrier busters overview
Over 90 social service providers in Washtenaw County
Focus on improving coordination and communication between agencies
Network Listserv
Monthly meetings for
Sharing resources
Professional/Skill Development
Access to Barrier Busters Emergency Unmet Needs Fund (BBEUNF)

3. What is Membership? Members Agree To Staff Agrees To
Provide administrative support
Provide financial request approval
Organize meetings and meeting content
Manage the Listserv
Barrier Busters Network Manual
Establish at least one “Barrier Buster”
Participate through regular attendance at monthly meetings
Communicate through confidential listserv
Identifying barriers and gaps in services to vulnerable populations

4. Listserv l-barrierbusters@listserver.ewashtenaw.org Use For…
Resource information for clients or agencies
Job postings (from sender’s agency only)
Announcements
Trainings
Professional Development
Agency event invitations
Remember…
No member agency complaints
Protect confidentiality of clients
Reply to sender only (unless relevant to the membership)

5. Barrier Buster Meetings
Location
Meeting Structure
Barrier Buster Meetings
Check your agenda’s – we are trying out new locations!
Welcome and Introductions                               1:30 PM
Community Presentations                               1:35 PM
Text and Learn for Kindergarten                            
Ypsilanti District Library, Gillian Ream Gainsley
Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights                         1:40 PM
WICIR, Rachel Frey    -    Refugee Resettlement Services                                                                   2:05 PM
               Jewish Family Services of Ann Arbor, Presenter TBA
StandingUpdates                            2:25 PM
HAWC Feedback
BB EUNF
                                                                                                                         
Brainstorming & Mingling                                            2:30 PM
Day/Time
4th Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted) 1:30-3:00pm

6. Barrier Busters Meeting Agenda, Minutes & Presentation

7. Requesting Funds Agency Intake Form Barrier Buster ROI
Barrier Busters Emergency Unmet Needs Fund (BBEUNF) – Sources of Funding
Funds total approximately $400,000
Local Funds – $150,000
Washtenaw County General Funds
Ann Arbor General Funds
Various of Grants and Donations
State and Federal Funds - $250,000
DHS LCA (Deliverable Fuels)
MEAP (Michigan Energy Assistance Program)
DHS CSBG – Utility and Housing Assistance
For emergencies…
If request is needed in hours contact all 3 Master Busters via
Must Have Documents
Agency Intake Form
Barrier Buster ROI
Agency Plan of Action Form
Copy of Bill (for the Barrier Buster Request)
Keep these on file for Barrier Busters monitoring purposes

8. Requesting Funds
Here are some examples of what funding can be used for.
*All rent arrearage requests and requests for move-in costs must be approved by Housing Access of Washtenaw County. Clients in need of these requests should call (734)
**For other questions about eligibility, contact OCED at

9. Housing Access for Washtenaw County
HAWC is the County’s central intake for individuals and families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The central intake is the single point of entry for all emergency shelters and housing resources that are available to serve people experiencing homelessness in the county. Residents of Washtenaw County may call HAWC for housing assistance, information and/or referral.
Please note: there is a severe shortage of housing resources in Washtenaw County and HAWC is not able to help all people who are experiencing a housing crisis.

10. SERVICES AVAILABLE HAWC Literally Homeless (Category 1):
Household that lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning: The household literally has a primary nighttime residence that is a public place or place not meant for human habitation; is living in a shelter.
Shelter Referral
Move-in Assistance
Housing Choice Voucher (waitlist)
Imminent Risk of Homelessness (Category 2):
Household that will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence; within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance; No subsequent residence has been identified; and the household lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing
Prevention Assistance
Security Deposit
Rental Arrerages
Diversion Services (housing resources)
Examples: housing websites, housing resource list, legal resources, other county information.

11. COMMON DOCUMENTS
HAWC
Valid Identification (household members over the age of 18
Social Security Card (all household members)
Birth certificates (household members under the age 18)
Proof of SER application (T-number)
Approval Letter (Move-in Assistance)
7 Day Notice or Summons (Eviction Prevention)
Proof of Income (3 months of Pay Stubs or SSI/SNAP etc. within 90 days)
Homelessness Verification Letter (Shelter)
Not all clients need ALL these documents

12. All Clients Experiencing a Housing Crisis
Contacting HAWC
HAWC
Ashlee Cunningham
Program Director
Phone:
Kara Painter
Community Relations
Phone:
Please subscribe to our newsletter:
Hotline
All Clients Experiencing a Housing Crisis

13. Encompass
Requesting Funds
Hyperlink to Encompass Login page

14. FAQ What if I forget my password/username?
Barrier Busters staff
I’m unable to make a barrier buster request. Who do I contact?
I’m not getting barrier buster meeting updates or listserv s. What do I do?

15. Who To Contact Master Busters - Urgently Needed Funds
Moonson Eninsche
Stacy Poncher
Marti Lachapell
Listserv, Administrative Support
Kevin Mathew
Stacy Poncher
Utility Assistance Application
TBD
Who To Contact
Budget Counseling Referrals
United Way Financial Empowerment
Marshall Averill
MSU Extension
GreenPath Debt Solutions
Christian Credit Counselors
Habitat for Humanity
Education Program

16. Thank You