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Summer- Home Forward Iowa PiT Planner

This VISTA member will help Home Forward Iowa build the capacity of Iowa to conduct more accurate and complete Point in Time Counts of those unsheltered. The homeless Point in Time Count is required of all locations by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and takes place each January. Survey results collected form part of the annual report to Congress on homelessness, along with data collected throughout the year from homeless service providers. In Iowa, this process has been very uneven, with a few communities conducting thorough unsheltered surveys while much of the state goes with only cursory effort or no counting at all. In recent years, some counties in Iowa have undertaken summer counts of those experiencing literal or "unsheltered," homelessness, usually in July. There are several advantages to this approach, which does not replace the January census but does provide ways to enhance the official Count. The data reporting technology from the January Count is used, which is web-based but can be backed up with paper and clipboard where cell service and/or user tech skills are questionable. The summer count data are not reported to HUD but can be used for marketing and grant applications. Here are some of the advantages of conducting a summer Point in Time Count: • Easier recruitment of volunteers – summer is more appealing than winter for outdoor activities. • You find more people! For volunteers, it is more satisfying when your search has results. • Less pressure. Since the results aren’t official, data entry doesn’t feel as stressful. • Practice makes perfect. Once volunteers have gone through the process, they’re more likely to volunteer again in the winter. By helping recruit leadership and assist with statewide and local plans, the VISTA member will help build the capacity of Iowa homeless service providers to conduct subsequent Counts that bring more awareness of and resources to, Iowans experiencing homelessness.

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Please note:

This listing is currently not accepting applications.

Member Duties : This member will work with HFI staff and other key coordinating agencies and volunteers across the state, particularly leadership in each county participating in a summer homeless Point in Time Count. The VISTA will be involved in coordinating every step of the process, including recruitment, organizing, planning, conducting and following up on the actual summer Count. The member will participate in virtual and in-person planning meetings across Iowa. In some cases, the VISTA will listen as a resource and in other cases will lead the meetings, informing first-time volunteers on why and how the Count is conducted and describing various volunteer roles. The VISTA will provide strategic and other forms of support to meet the needs identified in the planning process. In the end, the member’s efforts will greatly increase volunteer participation in and awareness of the homeless Point in Time Count and the process will yield data leading to increased resources to address homelessness.

Program Benefits : Training , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Living Allowance .

Terms :
Car recommended .

Service Areas :
Housing , Homelessness .

Skills :
Leadership , Writing/Editing , Computers/Technology , Community Organization , Public Speaking , Team Work , Communications , Teaching/Tutoring , Recruitment .

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SUMMARY
Program Type:
AmeriCorps VISTA

Program
Summer- Home Forward Iowa PiT Planner

Program Start/End Date
06/21/2021 - 08/29/2021

Work Schedule	Summer

Education level
Some college

Age Requirement
Minimum: 18 Maximum: None

Program Locations	IOWA

Accepting Applications
From 05/21/2021 To 06/01/2021

Contact	Mikala Williams-Yee
1963 Bell Ave
Des Moines IA 50315
515-348-6232
mikala.williams-yee@iowaeda.com

Listing ID	102461


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