Women and Children's Council

Focus: Development of a plan that holistically addresses homelessness among women with children

Chair: Nancy Boxill, Commission 6th District, Fulton County Government

Factors contributing to homelessness among women are different from those for men. Effective solutions must therefore address those different conditions. This Council was formed to bring a better understanding of situations faced by women and children currently homeless or vulnerable to homelessness to the Commission's work. The group is charged with identifying the unique needs of this population and then developing recommendations on ways to address those needs. The council has recently developed a plan to address the specific needs of women with children.

Current Membership: Representation from human services providers, State and local government; advocates, concerned citizens

Employment Council

Focus: Workforce development for homeless individuals

Chair: Tim Mescon, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University

Chronic underemployment and unemployment are major contributing factors to homelessness and the effect of homelessness upon our community. The goal of ending chronic homelessness in ten years, therefore, cannot be achieved without addressing barriers to employment, improved employability, and employment opportunities that support a move to a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Current Membership: Representation from providers of services related to employment and training, local and State government

Prevention Services Council

Focus: Prevention strategies and best practice models

Chair: James Laney, President Emeritus, Emory University

A critical component of any plan to end chronic homelessness is prevention of homelessness before it begins. Prevention strategies must include services that tackle the root causes of homelessness as well as practical ways to prevent people nearing crisis from becoming homeless. The work of the Prevention Services Council is therefore organized around the following areas:

• Emergency Financial Assistance
• Reunification Assistance
• Discharge Planning
• Benefits Assistance

Addiction/Mental Health Council

Focus: Coordination and best practices promotion for Addiction/Mental Health Continuum of Care

Chair: Carl Rhodenizer, former Commissioner, Clayton County Board of Commissioners

Without adequately addressing the addiction/mental health needs of chronically homeless individuals they will continue to cycle in and out of our jails and hospitals. An effective Continuum of Care is needed to avoid expensive crisis solutions and humanely meet the needs of those with serious addiction/mental illness.

Current Membership: An Addiction/Mental Health Task Force will provide leadership in developing a plan on improving the current Continuum of Care. A Council of human services providers, advocates, consumers and concerned citizens will be working together to implement the recommendations of the Task Force. The Council meets on a monthly basis and has its own structure and process.

Supportive Housing Council

Focus: Regional capacity to meet the housing and service needs of our chronically homeless

Chair: Laura Keenan, Bank of America

Supportive housing helps people who are persistently homeless find stability through a combination of affordable housing and social services that help them live more productive, self-sufficient lives. Supportive housing works well for people who face complex challenges in addition to homelessness, such as substance abuse, mental illness, health issues or physical disabilities, low incomes. By ending the cycle of high-cost crisis care and emergency housing typically accessed by the chronically homeless, supportive housing results in direct and indirect economic benefits to the community.

Current Membership: Housing developers, providers of supportive services, advocates

Community Education Council

Focus: Community awareness and education on homeless issues and solutions

Chair: Christopher Allers, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta

A community education initiative is an important part of the work to end chronic homelessness in our region in ten years. Community awareness, understanding, support, and involvement are key to effecting adequate change on this issue. Through proactive education efforts, the Regional Commission on Homelessness seeks to raise awareness about issues leading to homelessness; to dispel myths and stereotypes that misrepresent homelessness; and to keep people abreast of progress on solutions.

Current Membership: Representation from organizations with community/public education as part of their work, business, civic and faith communities; advocates