THN is updating its website, and we need the help of HNN readers to ensure that our page lists current and accurate information about resources in your area. Please visit http://www.thn.org/ and see if your organization is listed and if information important for your region needs to be added, corrected or updated.

THN collecting volunteer project ideas for children

Kathy Reid, Executive Director of the Texas Homeless Network, has been approached by various educators who are looking for projects that elementary and secondary school students can do to help people in homeless situations. She has found that most shelters and related organizations that serve homeless people have policies that preclude anyone under 18 from doing volunteer work. Even soup kitchens will not allow anyone under 18 from distributing food. She believes that it is neither positive nor productive to tell kids there is nothing they can do until they turn 18.

Reid has generously volunteered one of her VISTA workers to pursue this idea and develop an educator’s resource guide of activities kids can do to help shelters, service providers and people experiencing homelessness.

Therefore, THN requests that if you are aware of any situations where kids in grades K-12 are doing anything as part of an organized school activity to address homelessness, please send THN complete contact information, including name, email, phone, fax, address and brief description of the activity.

This could be a great resource for all of us, and it will also be a great way to recognize some efforts that are being made to help kids in homeless situations as well as an awareness-raising tool. Thanks in advance for your help.

New Coalition

The Beaumont Coalition (and the former Mid & South Jefferson County Coalition for the needy) has been replaced by the South East Texas Coalition for the Homeless. Bonnie K. Loiodice is the coordinator.

Newly revised HUD adjustment factors available online

AAFS for FY01 are available at www.hudclips.org in the new documents section. These factors are used to determine the contract rents for Section 8 vouchers and project based assistance.

VISTA positions available at THN

THN is looking for a survey project director (position available immediately), a publications editor and a grant writer/ researcher (available summer 2001). Employment opportunities are available for VISTAs who have completed their Pre-Service Orientation.

Enterprise Foundation Austin
Best Practices Conferences

Next fall the Enterprise Foundation-Austin will be holding the first of three “Best Practices” conferences. This series of three conferences will highlight proven methods of policy change and service delivery that make a REAL difference in the lives of people with disabilities. These conferences will serve as a forum where service providers, advocates and families of people with disabilities will meet and exchange ideas to focus on how we can create tomorrow’s communities that promote integration and inclusion and encourage best practices in housing, service delivery and policymaking. “Best Practice” programs serving people with disabilities will be profiled and recognized at each conference for their outstanding efforts. If you know of a program warranting this distinction please contact Eric Samuels in the EF-Austin office (1(888) 533-2244 for more information.

In the meantime, the foundation is requesting proposals from housing organizations and service providers to replicate best practices in housing for persons with disabilities. Enterprise Austin will award between $3,000 and $8,000 to up to two communities to implement the best practice of their choice. A “best practice” is defined as a practice, program or policy that includes a significant element of participation from people with disabilities and their families, results in integration, real choice and full community inclusion, and employs effective partnerships and other collaborative activities to accomplish a goal. To obtain application instructions and best practice examples please call our offices at 1(888)458-3200 and ask for David Danenfelzer or Sarah Andrè.

Helpful new website from HUD

The E-Mapper site has a zip code search tool that provides information on environmental hazards and EPA Superfund cleanup sites, as well as demographic information about neighborhoods, such as average income level, ethnic madeul and average age. It also provides information on crime and traffic. www.hud.gov/emaps/emapsintro.html