Committees and workgroups are described below. If you would like to serve on a committee or workgroup, please use the Contact Us form to express your interest. Please note that conflict of interest may preclude you from serving on some committees.
CoC Collaborative Committee – Participation in the Continuum of Care is open through the CoC Collaborative Committee to interested organizations and to interested individuals representing the community at large. The committee meets monthly and is co-chaired by Kim Parker-Llerenas, Willamette Workforce Partnership and Ian Dixon-McDonald, Marion Polk Food Share.
Performance & Evaluation Committee – Board-appointed members review and recommend to the Board the policies, timelines, and scoring tools for application review and ranking process as part of the Continuum of Care competition for funds. The committee also monitors and reviews CoC-funded projects and general system performance and makes recommendations to the CoC Board to improve system performance with input from the CoC Collaborative Committee. This committee is chaired by Dan Clem, Union Gospel Mission of Salem and meets monthly, except during the months when the Rank & Review Subcommittee meets (usually June-August).
Coordinated Entry Committee – Board-appointed members create the policies and procedures for the CoC’s coordinated entry system. The committee is also responsible for recruiting agencies for participation in coordinated entry, monitoring the progress of organizations implementing coordinated entry to ensure it is functioning effectively, arranging for technical assistance to participating organizations, and recommending changes, as necessary. This committee meets monthly and is chaired by Ashley Hamilton, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency.
HMIS Users Workgroup – This workgroup consists of Board-appointed representatives from organizations using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The workgroup recruits agencies for participation in the system, monitors the progress of organizations using HMIS, develops strategies for improving HMIS ease of use, troubleshoots data reporting and data quality issues, and reviews and makes recommendations on HMIS policies and protocols to the HMIS Lead, HMIS Coordination Entity, and CoC Board. This workgroup meets monthly and is co-chaired by Hunter Belgard, Oregon Housing and Community Services and Jimmy Jones, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency.
Point-in-Time Count Workgroup – Board-appointed members of this workgroup organize and conduct the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, including recruitment, training, and support of volunteer outreach workers for the event. Workgroup appointments occur during the fall, and the group meets frequently to prepare for and conduct the annual PIT Count in late January. This group is chaired by Sara Webb, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency.
The Challenge to End Youth Homelessness – this group is open to any organization or individual interested in supporting youth who are experiencing homelessness. The group’s goals are: 1) Develop a Coordinated Entry system for youth that blends into the system for adults, 2) Expand street-level and other forms of community outreach to better engage youth experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, 3) Establish a Host Home program that fits the needs in communities in the Marion-Polk county region, 4) Improve local youth data, starting with the Point In Time (PIT) Count in January 2020, and 5) Advocate for the use of and funding for evidence-based practices addressing youth homelessness. The group meets monthly and is facilitated by Tricia Ratliff, HOME Youth & Resource Center.
The Challenge to End Youth Homelessness formed prior to the creation of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance and has since voted to be affiliated with the CoC. The MWVHA board has directed staff to support the work of this group, along with the other MWVHA committees and workgroups.