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History
To address the needs of individuals and families experiencing
homelessness, collaboration at the Federal, State and Territory, and local
levels must occur to create true systems integration and change. The Homeless
Policy Academy Initiative was designed to help State and local policymakers
address the issues of chronic homelessness and the needs of families with
children experiencing homelessness. Between 2001–2007, the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services—in partnership with the U.S. Departments
of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Education,
and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness—dedicated a total of
$4,670,869 on the Policy Academy Initiative.
The interrelated components of this Federal effort
included:
- Pre-Academy Site Visits
- Participation in one of nine Policy Academies to inform policymakers
of the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and
facilitation of State planning efforts and priority setting
- Follow up training and technical assistance guided by a Technical
Assistance Continuity Team
- A National Learning Meeting and four targeted Learning Community Workgroups
There is no question that the Homeless Policy Academy
Initiative has created progress and many tangible results in all 50 States,
the District of Columbia, and the Territories. As a result of participation,
the majority of the Policy Academy Teams have established formal interagency
planning teams, a vastly improved State infrastructure composed of critical
partnerships and support, and tangible outcomes related to housing, support,
and tangible outcomes related to housing, support services, discharge
planning, and data infrastructure. Systems change also occurred at the
Federal level: new partners became involved in addressing homelessness;
technical assistance resources were coordinated and shared across contracts;
and joint funding opportunities were developed and implemented.
Plans to address homelessness are constantly evolving
in order to create systems change. The State Plans posted here reflect
the culmination of efforts by the States and Territories that participated
in the Policy Academy Initiative between 2001–2007. This site is for archival
purposes only. Please contact the State Team Leads listed on the State
pages to access each State’s most current Plan.
FINAL MATERIALS
Overview
of the Homeless Policy Academy Initiative (Microsoft PowerPoint file)
Final Report:
Executive Summary and Promising Practices section only (PDF file)
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