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INTRODUCTIONS

Kathleen Wing

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Volunteer Coordinator

Manette Magera (321) -537-3339

Email: manettem@gmail.com

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The Point in Time Survey (P.I.T) when completed provides an unduplicated count of the people who are currently or at risk of becoming homeless in our community.

The information collected provides facts for local, regional, state, and national planning. The P.I.T Survey helps identify the nature, cause, and extent of homelessness so that we plan appropriately .

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What is the Purpose of the P.I.T Survey?

Understand the trends in the homeless population

Pinpoints specifics of that homeless populationGenerates public awarenessProjections for policy development and planning

Motivate and mobilize community involvementAssess needs and gaps in servicesRequest Federal, state, and private fundingMeasure progress towards preventing and ending homelessness

1. Help recruit volunteers- Tell your coworkers, friends, and family how

theycan help

2. Become a surveyor- Volunteers will be assigned according to need- Volunteers will most likely be given a two-to-

four-hour shift3. Assist with data entry after the count

-Enter data into the HMIS system

Note: No one 17 or younger will be accepted to participate as a surveyor.

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Who do “U Who do “U Count”Count”HUD requires that CoCs identify counts of

specific subpopulations. The subpopulations are:

Chronically Homeless IndividualsChronically Homeless FamiliesVeterans Severely Mentally IllChronic Substance AbusePersons with HIV/AIDSVictims of Domestic ViolenceUnaccompanied Child (under 18)

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Unsheltered count includes all homeless persons who were on the street or in a place unfit for human habitation on the night of the count.

CarsParksSidewalksAbandoned BuildingsStreetsEncampments

Un-ShelteredUn-Sheltered

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ShelterShelterededFor the sheltered count, include all persons who – on the ‘Night of the count’ “Jan. 24th” – that were sleeping in beds that are designated for persons who are homeless and staying in either

Emergency Shelter (1-7 days)

Or

Transitional Housing (2wks-24 months)

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Who do “U” NOT CountWho do “U” NOT Count

Persons residing in the following settings on the night of the count should not be included in the sheltered PIT count:

Persons residing in permanent supported housing programs,

Persons residing in Section 8 housing

Persons who are living in an overcrowded residence

Persons living in substandard homes (the electricity is out, or there is a hole in the floor)

Persons living in hotels or motels without agency assistance

@ Emergency Shelters@ Transitional Housing@ Resource Centers @ Soup Kitchens @ Food Pantries@ Congregate Meals Sites@ Clothing Closets @ Encampments

@ Service Providers@ Mental Health Facility@ Health Clinics @ Motels @ School System @ Domestic Violence Agency@ Churches

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“I know you believe you understand what you think I said. But I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

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As a homeless count volunteer, your goal is to get as much information from each person as possible and try to complete every question for each respondent.

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Setting the Tone

•Be courteous•Be respectful•Be non-threatening•If a person seems uncomfortable answering a question, consider skipping it and asking it again at the end of the interview.

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A homeless person may be startled and hesitant to cooperate with a stranger asking for information.

Therefore, it might help to approach by using a script…

Hello, my name is (FIRST NAME). I’m a volunteer with the EscaRosa Coalition and we are conducting the annual survey of displaced individuals and families in our community. Will you help me by answering a few personal questions? It should only take about five minutes to complete and is completely confidential.

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This is not a counseling session.

Remember: Remember:

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Ask the consumer if they have completed the survey at another location.

The interviewer must complete the survey for the consumer

Interviewers should not spend over 5 minutes per survey.

Surveys should be collected in the strictest confidence.

If you feel unsafe at any time, use the code word “calculator” to let your team know what’s going on

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Make contact with site contact. Ensure YOUR personal safety. Be polite and pay attention to your surroundings Avoid distractions when doing the survey. Know the cell number of the Volunteer Manager. Report any injuries and if something looks unsafe it

probably is. Make sure you dress appropriately in comfortable clothing. Be sure each survey is complete. Thank the consumer for his/her time. Turn in all surveys to the site contact.

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Do not take more than 5 minutes to complete a survey

Do not give any money.Do not allow the individual to complete the survey.

Do not enter an encampment alone. Do not bring your purse or wear expensive jewelry.Do not take pictures

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Give all completed surveys to the Site Contact.

If your site contact is not available, contact ECOH at 439.3009

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Date: Tuesday, February 7th 10:00 a.m. at ECOH

What went right? Areas we may improve What we can do next year? Needs and gaps analysis

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QUESTIONS

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TEST

1. It is acceptable to ask the consumer to fill out the survey. 2.Surveyors should spend at least 15 minutes with each consumer. 3.You are required to fill out Section 1, the location of the survey. 4.If you are 16, you can still be a PIT survey volunteer. 5. Surveyors should collect first and last names of each consumer. 6.Surveys should be collected in the strictest confidence. 7.Surveyors should thank the consumer after completing the survey. 27

8. It is okay to leave a few of the questions on the survey blank.

9. A consumer can abandon the survey at any time.

10. If you can’t find your site contact, it is okay to leave your surveys unattended.

11. If a client gets loud with you, you can get loud back at them.

12. Its okay for the interviewer to abandon the survey.

13. You can fill in multiple responses in Section 7.