The DuPage Homeless Continuum consists of seven standing committees:

1) Leadership Committee
2) Community Outreach Committee
3) Grants/Funding Committee
4) Needs Assessment Committee
5) Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Users Committee
6) Homeless Prevention Providers Committee
7) Appeals Committee

The purpose and responsibilities of each committee is as follows:

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

PURPOSE - The Leadership Committee functions as the leadership of the DuPage Homeless Continuum. The Leadership Committee functions as the leadership of the DuPage Homeless Continuum and shall be chaired by the designated representative of the Lead Organization. Its membership shall consist of the representative of the Lead Organization, the chairpersons of each of the other standing Committees with the exception of the Appeals Committee and three at-large Continuum Members. The at-large committee members will be nominated by the Leadership Committee and ratified by the General Membership for a two-year term. This committee meets at least quarterly for these purposes:

To coordinate the development of comprehensive Continuum of Care services for homeless persons in DuPage County. To establish and implement a Plan to End Homelessness. To establish the policies and procedures of the DuPage Homeless Continuum. To distribute limited resources in the most efficient and accountable manner. To have final accountability to all homeless consumers and members of the DuPage Continuum of Care for the performance of the Continuum. To provide a forum for ongoing communication and coordinated efforts among all committees of the DuPage Continuum of Care. To determine specific actions to be taken which will position the Continuum of Care for positive growth and development.

RESPONSIBILITIES - The Leadership Committee oversees the Continuum, coordinates the implementation of the Plan to End Homelessness, coordinates the development of homeless services, establishes policies and procedures of the Continuum, provides direction and approval to each Committee's tasks and activities and approves new Members of the Continuum and its Committees. On behalf of the Continuum, the Leadership Committee is authorized to make all final decisions pertaining to pursuit, contract, and allocation of funds; and the designation of the Lead Organization. The Leadership Committee manages Continuum wide communications, including twice yearly full membership meetings. The DuPage County Community Services Director serves as liaison with the Executive Committee of the DuPage County Community Development Commission (CDC) and the Leadership Committee. This Executive Committee is informed of the activities of the DuPage Homeless Continuum on a regular basis.

• Assess and measure progress made in the Plan to End Homelessness regularly.
• Ongoing refinement of goals, outcomes and reporting on the Plan to End Homelessness.
• Provide final approval for all Community Development Block Grant Funds, Homeless Prevention funds and HUD Continuum funds.
• Review and take action on all requests regarding Continuum policy matters i.e., Ranking Criteria, By-Laws, Confidentiality and the HMIS, New Projects Review, Plan to End Homelessness, Needs Assessment procedures, etc.
• Have representation in the Regional Roundtable, a consortium made up of representatives from the eight Continuum of Care jurisdictions of northeast Illinois.
• Approve the recommended Chairperson for each Continuum Committee and all committee members.
• Meet at least quarterly to determine committee tasks and priorities and review progress/information.
• Share information from each committee with the full Continuum membership.
• Organize twice yearly meetings of entire Continuum membership.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE

PURPOSE - The role of the Community Outreach Committee is to oversee membership and build inclusiveness, to promote community awareness of homelessness, to develop awareness and support of the Plan to End Homelessness, to promote discharge policies that prevent homelessness, to ensure enrollment in mainstream benefits, increase income through employment/benefits, and to promote outreach and engagement of unsheltered homeless persons. Committee membership is comprised from the Continuum's General Membership. Membership of the Committee is open, with approval of the Leadership Committee, and no more than one person, or 10% of the membership, whichever is greater shall be comprised of Individual Members of the Continuum. The committee meets at least quarterly for these purposes:

RESPONSIBILITIES: To oversee membership in the Continuum and build inclusiveness, to ensure that it includes representatives of nonprofit homeless service providers, state and local government agencies, public housing authorities, veteran's service organizations, businesses/business associations, faith based organizations, funders, law enforcement, medical, and homeless/formerly homeless persons. To promote community awareness of homelessness. To develop awareness and build public support of the Plan To End Homelessness. To promote discharge policies for persons leaving public systems such as jails, hospitals, mental health facilities, and the child welfare system that prevent them from becoming homeless. To ensure that all eligible persons have access to mainstream benefits, employment or other sources of income. To ensure that all homeless persons leaving DuPage services have a source of food, cash income, and medical care. To have an outreach and engagement system in place for homeless persons who are not sheltered.

• Seek representation from different sectors for Continuum membership.
• Maintain an updated website describing the DuPage Homeless Continuum of Care elements.
• Develop press releases; Internet based newsletters, public speaking engagements, etc. to promote public awareness and support for homeless issues.
• Develop topics for the full membership meeting to present to the Leadership Committee.
• Establish liaisons and written Memorandums of Understanding with each of the offices which administer TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, SCHIP, Workforce Investment Act, SSI, and Veterans Health Care programs.
• Sponsor regular mainstream programs training seminars.
• Reduce barriers to enrollment in mainstream programs.
• Facilitate access to employment and other sources of income.
• Establish liaisons and procedures with public systems to prevent persons discharged from becoming homeless.
• To develop outreach systems to the unsheltered and chronically homeless.
• Coordinate an Annual Report Card on the DuPage Continuum Plan to End Homelessness.

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GRANTS FUNDING COMMITTEE

PURPOSE: The role of the Grants/Funding Committee is to develop funding criteria, application procedures, and ranking procedures for grant opportunities including but not limited to: the HUD Continuum grants, state and federal Homeless Prevention funds, and DuPage County Community Development Block Grants; to coordinate the overall grant application processes and ensure equal access for all Continuum members; to successfully complete funding applications to obtain the maximum amount available for homeless services and housing; to support optimal funding of the services and housing necessary to assist all homeless persons to achieve stable housing. Committee membership is comprised from the Continuum's General Membership. Membership of the Committee is open, with approval of the Leadership Committee, and no more than one person, or 10% of the membership, whichever is greater, shall be comprised of Individual Members of the Continuum. The committee meets at least quarterly for these purposes:

RESPONSIBILITIES - To develop funding criteria, application procedures, and ranking procedures for the HUD Continuum grants, state and federal Homeless Prevention funds, and DuPage County Community Development Block Grants. To evaluate and prioritize these funding applications and make a recommendation to the Leadership Committee. To coordinate the overall grant application processes and ensure equal access for all Continuum members. To successfully complete funding applications to obtain the maximum amount available for homeless services and housing. To support optimal funding of the services and housing necessary to assist all homeless persons to achieve stable housing.

• Provide notice of fund availability to all Continuum members.
• Maintain and update selection criteria and application procedures for these funds to ensure objective and fair processes.
• Maintain and review ranking and scoring procedures to ensure objective accountability.
• Ensure that there is an Emergency Prevention system that assists the maximum number of persons possible, has equitable geographic distribution, and operates efficiently.
• Review and approve allocation of state and federal Homeless Prevention funds among agencies.
• Meet as necessary to make funding recommendations for other homeless grant funds that require ranking or approval.
• Meet jointly with the Leadership Committee as necessary.
• To create housing solutions including permanent supportive housing units, affordable community housing units, housing vouchers, short term housing subsidies, etc.
• To assist in identifying and facilitating the full utilization of all appropriate funding streams
• Participate in the Funders Collaborative

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NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

PURPOSE: The role of the Needs Assessment Committee is to provide ongoing assessment of homeless needs and resources in order to determine the most current gaps between the existing services and the highest service needs; to set priorities for filling gaps in homeless services; to develop and implement procedures for conducting the annual homeless housing and services inventory and the bi-annual count of unsheltered and sheltered homeless persons; to coordinate information with other human service and housing needs assessments; and to support the full implementation of the HMIS system as an effective resource for accurate point in time needs assessment data. Committee membership is comprised from the Continuum's General Membership. Membership of the Committee is open, with approval of the Leadership Committee, and no more than one person, or 10% of the membership, whichever is greater, shall be comprised of Individual Members of the Continuum. The committee meets at least quarterly for these purposes:

RESPONSIBILITIES -To identify local homeless service gaps and needs, assess available services, evaluate all HUD homeless service projects - both new and renewals, recommend priorities for the use of resources, and oversee the data collection of beds, services, homeless persons in shelters and on the streets according to HUD guidelines. They participate in full implementation of the HMIS system.

• Conduct oral presentations as an initial review of all new or expanded homeless service projects to identify and eliminate duplication and maximize the use of limited resources.
• Determine whether local needs are met by new or expanded homeless service projects.
• Make recommendations to the Grants Funding committee annually on all HUD CoC project funding - both new and renewal.
• Complete annual updates of the current Housing Inventory of homeless beds in DuPage County.
• Coordinate the Homeless Count process for counting both the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population meeting all HUD requirements and timeframes.
• Complete updates of the Homeless Populations chart to identify numbers of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons.
• Ensure 100% participation by all homeless providers and agreement on the data needed in the countywide HMIS system to obtain accurate, point in time needs assessment information.
• Review on an ongoing basis the need for changes or improvements to the homeless management information system.
• Utilize the HMIS data and the Homeless Count information to make informed decisions regarding need.

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HMIS (HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM) USERS COMMITTEE

NOTE: (DuPage County refers to the system as CMIS, but in federal language it is known as HMIS: Homeless Management Information System).

PURPOSE: The role of the HMIS Users Committee is to develop, maintain, and update the countywide client management information system (CMIS) including the development and implementation of data protocols, reporting, policies, problem solving measures, and meeting all HUD benchmarks. The Committee provides support to agency users to ensure the highest quality data. Committee membership is comprised of system users from the Continuum's General Membership. Membership of the Committee is open, with approval of the Leadership Committee, and no more one person, or than 10% of the membership, whichever is greater, shall be comprised of Individual Members of the Continuum. The committee meets monthly for these purposes:

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor compliance with HUD Data and Technical standards.
• Assess compliance with all HUD HMIS benchmarks, especially regarding data integrity and reporting.
• Monitor and support ongoing end user training for implementation of the Service Point system.
• Ensure uniform data collection and resolve common issues.
• Review and approve the HMIS Policy and Procedures Manual.
• Approve and provide input on all HMIS policy and report development.
• Review staff reports on quality checks of client and program level data.
• Support the development of proficiency with using the ART reporting tool.
• Review and approve AHAR data submission.
• Share information that will enhance training opportunities and collaboration with other HMIS systems in the region.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the full-time database manager and supervisory staff regarding the HMIS system.

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HOMELESS PREVENTION PROVIDERS COMMITTEE

PURPOSE: The role of the Homeless Prevention Providers Committee is to share, evaluate, expand or obtain information, services, and resources pertaining to the prevention of homelessness; to assure efficient and effective disbursement of homeless prevention funds; and to develop and adhere to coordinated strategy and procedures. Committee membership is comprised from the Continuum's General Membership. Membership of the Committee is open, with approval of the Leadership Committee, and no more than one person, or 10% of the membership, whichever is greater, shall be comprised of Individual Members of the Continuum. The majority of members provide homeless prevention services. The committee meets at least every other month for these purposes:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To coordinate the distribution of Homeless Prevention services and funds throughout DuPage County.
• To assure the best distribution of services and assistance to, and equal access by, persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• To assure the most effective use of Homeless Prevention and Rehousing dollars.
• To promote cooperative planning and service delivery as collaborative partners.
• To promote efforts to publicize and promote homeless services and resources, especially "hard to reach" households in the community of our services, eligibility, and the application process.
• To reduce cultural and language barriers to services for all individuals.
• To work collaboratively to assure comprehensive coverage of service availability and, particularly, that traditionally underserved areas and populations are provided access to assistance.
• To maximize coordination of efforts through a shared client management information database, Service Point. Service Point is an Internet-based database system that is managed by the Continuum.
• To promote a system of service delivery that is able to hold clients accountable and ensures that resources are not used repeatedly and/or inappropriately.
• To have a system that performs to Federal and State requirements, conducts annual program evaluation and review, and demonstrates a commitment to improving the system based on that evaluation and review.

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APPEALS COMMITTEE

PURPOSE: The role of the Appeals Committee is to resolve any decisions made by the Continuum or any of its committees following a written request for an appeal. The Appeals Committee consists of the Vice-Chairpersons of the Community Outreach Committee, the Grants/Funding Committee, and the Needs Assessment Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To conduct any legitimate appeal hearing and submit their findings to the Leadership Committee for a final resolution
• To follow the procedures outlined in Article VIII of the CoC Bylaws.

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The DuPage Homeless Continuum also has one working subcommittee which operates for the specific task of the biannual Unsheltered Homeless Count.

STREET COUNT TASK FORCE

PURPOSE - Their role is to coordinate the activities necessary for conducting a comprehensive and accurate count of unsheltered persons according to HUD guidelines and best practices at least once every two years.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complete a bi-annual street count of unsheltered homeless persons with the participation of police, volunteers and other community organizations.
• Determine most effective procedures including brochures, volunteers, incentives, scheduling, command sites, procedures, interview forms, police contacts, known locations, etc.
• Review and change survey forms and procedures regularly to increase effective counting of all unsheltered persons.
• Compile summary of numbers of persons by location and type of household.
• Interview all willing unsheltered persons to obtain information on their needs.
• Send summary information to Continuum Consultant for completion of the Homeless Populations chart.

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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
Anyone may contact the Continuum for membership. All prospective members will provide contact information to a Committee Chairperson or the Continuum Consultant. A brief background of the prospective member is reviewed by the Leadership committee for membership. Upon acceptance, the member is added to the Continuum member database and the appropriate committee list. Committee members do not replace themselves. They may recommend a replacement for acceptance by the Leadership Committee. All members of the DuPage Homeless Continuum must submit a written Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) and designate a voting member and alternate. There are separate MOUs for Organizational Membership or for Individual Membership.

CONTINUUM MEETINGS SCHEDULE
An annual Continuum calendar of all meetings is completed each July and distributed to all members of the Continuum. It is also available on the website at www.dupagehomeless.org
There are two meetings each year for the full membership. Committees meet quarterly at a minimum. A meeting notice, agenda, and meeting materials is e-mailed to each committee member at least seven days prior to each meeting. Attendance and minutes are recorded for all meetings and are the responsibility of the committee chairperson. All committee meetings are open to the general membership for attendance.

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