To download full details and a registration form, see our brochure (PDF)

Overview  I  Agenda  I  Day 1 - Institutes  I   Day 2 - Workshops  I   Fees
I Registration I Location I Vendors

Overview

The Fourth Annual Supportive Housing Conference will be held on December 2nd and 3rd, 2002 at the Lafayette Yard Marriott in Trenton. Day one will consist of four all-day Institutes. Day two features the conference with morning and afternoon workshops, and an award luncheon with our keynote speaker.

Conference Agenda

December 2, 2002

9:00 - 4:00 pm

Conference Institutes (Registered Participants only)
Lunch included

1. From Soup to Dessert - Program Institute

2. Building Community Support - Combating NIMBY Opposition

3. Property Management Institute

4. Financing Supportive Housing Institute

December 3, 2002

8:30 Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:15 Welcome

9:15-10:00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS

10:15-12:15 AM Trainings

1. Electronic Case Management - The Freedom to Focus on Your Mission

2. Continuum of Care

3. Getting it Right: How to Support People Applying for Section 8 - Part 1

4. Legal Issues - Views of advocates, consumers, and attorneys

5. Strategies for Change: Getting Out in Front of the Change Process

12:15-1:45 Lunch, Speakers, and Awards Presentations

2:00-4:00 PM Trainings

1. Supportive Housing Advocacy & Systems Change Workshop

2. Harm Reduction in Action

3. The Changing Face of AIDS

4. Working With Municipal Administrations: Keys to Success

5. Getting it Right: How to Support People Applying for Section 8 - Part II

Day 1- Choose one of four all-day Institutes

From Soup to Dessert - Program Institute
Moderated by Patti Holland, Assistant Professor UMDNJ, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Successful supportive housing programs provide much more than just affordable housing. All service components—including the process from intake and support to independence—should best foster and support consumers’ recovery and self-sufficiency. To achieve this goal, services need to be provided in a way that reflects staff expertise in skill areas of assessment, counseling, motivational interviewing, teaching skills, and needs to develop natural supports.

This institute will offer demonstrations and practice opportunities for staff to explore strategies and interventions for working with staff and clients:

• When things are going well

• When things are breaking down

• Moving from personal care toward recovery and wellness

• How to get from “now to “then”

• How do we arrive at the “time to move on” phase

Additional Presenters -

• Persons from several disability groups discussing experiences and strategies that worked for them.

• Persons with disabilities who work as program staff.

Building Community Support - Combating NIMBY Opposition
Facilitated by Michael Allen, Senior staff attorney and director of housing programs at the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, D.C.

This Institute is designed to assist housing developers, project sponsors, local government and housing rights advocates develop proactive approaches to educating the broader community about the need for affordable housing, and to provide useful strategies, legal information and practical advice to overcome
community opposition to the siting of affordable housing.

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Property Management Institute
Presenters: Community Enterprise Corporation – an affiliate of Collaborative Support Programs of NJ
                  ADTI Housing Development Corporation - an affiliate of Alternatives Inc.
                  John Rowland, Program Officer. Connecticut office of Corporation for
                                         Supportive Housing (CSH)
                 Property Manager representative.

This Institute will move beyond the scope of exploring agencies doing their own Property/Asset Management and investigate/learn what other options are available.

The day will include the following:

• Overview of the scope of services provided by a property management company.

• What does a property manager look at to determine feasibility to manage property?

• If a housing provider has a small portfolio, what may make it worthwhile for a property manager?

• Blended Property Management

• Creative solutions to secure professional Property Management services.

Institute will include lecture / small group brainstorming /Q & A.

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Financing Supportive Housing Institute

This institute is now closed.

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Day 2 -  AM Workshops - Choose one of the following five

1. Electronic Case Management - The Freedom to Focus on Your Mission

THE CONCEPT - How technology can support people and improve services
Marlowe Greenberg – CEO, Foothold Technology, Inc.

One major problem with running a nonprofit organization is that direct-care staff spends too much time and energy keeping and reporting data for funders and governments. Staff members often spend as much time working on reports, records, and filing as they do serving their clients. There are several kinds of technology solutions to this problem of data management; Marlowe Greenberg will speak on several, including the current project with SHA.

THE REALITY PART I - How it works for your agency; a demonstration of Foothold’s AWARDS software
Foothold Technology staff:
Nick Scharlatt,  Chief Marketing Officer
Paul Rossi – Director of Homeless Services
Ashu Rai – Client Services

Foothold Technology provides supportive housing agencies with software that tracks both mission-critical case management and administrative data. Foothold has developed a powerful, Web-based software application called AWARDS, which allows point-of-service data entry. Additionally, because AWARDS is delivered as an Application Service Provider (ASP), all you need to use our system is a computer and an Internet connection. There are no additional staffing or hardware costs, ever.

THE REALITY PART II - How it works for your budget
Ed Murphy, Executive Director of SHA, SHA Technology Collaborative

Ed Murphy will discuss all things budget related and assist you in finding the resources to do the things you want for your agency

2. Continuum of Care

Continuum of Care training is provided to those interested in growing their programs using additional funding sources offered through the McKinney-Vento NOFA.

• How to combine funding sources to maximize delivery of housing and services.

• How to become more actively involved in the Continuum of Care in your community.

• Overview of Successful McKinney Projects, including capital funding structure, operating and service delivery.

3. Getting it Right: How to Support People Applying for Section 8 - Part I
Moderated by Pam McCrory
Presenters:  Joan Butcher Farkas, Housing Director Community Enterprises Corporation

Focuses on basic information regarding HUD Section 8 program requirements including:

• Accommodations for people with disabilities Eligibility criteria for Section 8 voucher programs.

• The public notification process.

• The application and waiting list process.

• Section 8 Certification and documentation requirements.

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4. Legal Issues - Views of advocates, consumers, and attorneys
Moderated by Alan Kaufman, Director of the NJ Division of Mental Health Services
Presenters: Carolyn Beauchamp, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of New Jersey
                  Michael Allen, Senior Staff Attorney, Director of Housing Programs, Bazelon Center
                  David Lazarus, Director of Litigation, Community Health Law Project
                  Jean Markey, Senior Staff Attorney, NJ Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
                  Wayne Vivian, Coalition of Mental Health Consumer Organizations (COMHCO)

• Outpatient Commitment - Conditional Release
  A recent court ruling has changed the rules for agencies and consumers in this process – what are the consumers’ rights and the agency’s obligation? Information and reactions.

• "Ability to pay" vs. "Sufficient income" – rental qualifications
  How to help a renter who does not meet to requirements of the landlord.

• Property Tax Exemption
  A recent NJ Appellate Court has ruled in favor of non profits seeking tax exempt status. This can bolster your argument in similar cases.

• The Lien Law
  By forcing payment for psychiatric hospital and developmental centers New Jersey traps many persons into poverty, preventing home ownership, car ownership and often the means to work.

• Making Mental Health Services an Entitlement –The Model Law

5. Strategies for Change: Getting Out in Front of the Change Process
Moderated by Mary Rossettini, Director of Residential Services, Vantage Health System
Presenters: Charles Higgins – Clinical Services Management, Inc.; Board Member, Advanced Housing
·                 Andy Bernstein – Psychologist; Board Member, Collaborative Support Programs of NJ
·                 Jim Marhold –Volunteers of America Staff
·                 Mark Duffy – Development Director, Collaborative Support Programs of NJ
.
Undergoing change is one of the most daunting tasks that can face individuals or organizations—whether it is made out of necessity or to improve an organization or the situations of its clients. How should the board, administration, and staff approach the change process? What strategies can they employ to make the transition a positive experience for the organization and its clients?

The evolution of communities and agencies is enriched by learning from people who are different. Openness to this learning process is often the key to a positive change experience. What are we willing to learn from persons with disabilities as they tell us what they need?

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Afternoon Workshops - Choose one of the following five

1. Supportive Housing Advocacy & Systems Change Workshop
Facilitated by Jonathan Harwitz, CSH National Director of Policy

Discussion and how-tos of national and state advocacy efforts to effect systems change.

• What are the current top national issued affecting the supporting housing industry?

• What are the three (3) interconnected components of advocacy?

• Learn about successful examples to impact on problematic program or funding regulations.

  • New York’s Blueprint to End Homelessness

  • Connecticut PILOTS Legislation

2. Harm Reduction in Action
Moderated by Patti Holland, Assistant Professor UMDNJ, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Sam Tsemberis, Director of Pathways
Rusty Foster, Research Associate, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center

Providing housing services while someone is still struggling with substance abuse presents a multitude of challenges. Yet current research and programs such as Pathways indicate that this model of harm reduction is not only effective in consumers’ success in housing, but also in reducing drug use and developing more healthy lifestyles.

This workshop will explore strategies for implementing a harm reduction approach in supportive housing programs with an emphasis on practical application for participants.

Working in a strategy that does housing first followed by client recovery can work.. Pathways shows us the way in developing the model and researching the process. It leads us into the "wellness model" that stresses client strengths and growth. Motivational Interviewing is a technique that facilitates adopting a healthy lifestyle.
 

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3. The Changing Face of AIDS
Moderator: Bruce Blumenthal, NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency;
                  Liaison to the Governor's Advisory Task Force on AIDS
Anne Arias, LSW Director of Corpus Christi Ministries Housing
Sal Susino, Association on Corrections; Chair of NJ AIDS Housing Coalition
Laurie Litt-Robbins, Exec. Director, The Eric Johnson House
Johanna Daley, Univeristy of Medicine & Dentistry NJ
Consumer (to be named)

Continued medical breakthroughs are allowing individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS to look forward to the future, as never before. AIDS case managers and AIDS housing providers have had to change their thinking from providing hospice and disability services to creating housing options that foster and support this future. Social service, mental health and substance abuse providers are also part of this change and need to adjust their services to address the needs of their consumers were these issues coexist with HIV/AIDS. This session will present:

• An overview of AIDS Housing in the state of New Jersey and discuss the legal and ethical issues facing housing providers trying to create permanent housing solutions

• A discussion of how HIV/AIDS has impacted the mental health community and how HIV/AIDS providers and mental health providers can work together to provide client directed services.

4. Working With Municipal Administrations: Keys to Success
Moderated by Tim Doherty, Executive Director of Project Freedom, Inc.
Presenters: Mayor Doris M. Weisberg , Township of Lawrence
                  Bill Guhl, Municipal Administrator, Township of Lawrence
                  Ron Rukenstein, Housing Consultant

So, you’ve got this great idea about building affordable housing for your special needs consumers in a particular town. You know the need is there, and you’ve located a piece of land that would be ideal—what's next?

This panel discussion will look at the aspects of approaching a municipal government in the development process.

Topics of discussion:

• Requirements of the Project: What does a town like to see. What will get your project to pass—and what will make it fail.

• Role of politics in Process. How to approach a public official with your ideas. Whom do you see first and what other players are involved.

• Zoning and Engineering aspects of your project—basic requirements.

• Legal Issues to contend with and the risks involved.

• Development issues—is the area right for our project, how to evaluate a project and what data do you need.

Q & A to follow.

5. Getting it Right: How to Support People Applying for Section 8 - Part II
Moderated by Pam McCrory

Round table discussions for questions and answers on Section 8 housing Choice Voucher Program.

•  Working with Public Housing Agencies.

• Accommodations for people with disabilities

• Strategies for assisting Voucher holders with housing search.

• Questions and Responses

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Fees

Note: If you are a SHA Member, please make sure you are in good standing so that you can receive your discounted conference rate. If you need to renew your membership, please do so here. If you are not a member, feel free to  join.
 

Multiple Person Rate: 5 or more registrations from the same agency

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Registration

Please print out our registration form, fill it out, and mail it in with your check to Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey, 15 Alden St, Suite 12, Cranford, NJ 07016.

For more information on the conference, please contact SHA at sha@shanj.org or 908.931.1131.

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Location

The Lafayette Yard Marriott is directly adjacent to the Trenton War Memorial, and is fully accessible. Unfortunately, the hotel is not offering special rates for conference attendees.

DIRECTIONS TO THE LAFAYETTE YARD MARRIOTT CONFERENCE HOTEL

FROM I-95 North:
Take I-95 N – to Rte 29 S.
Follow signs to the Capital Complex.
Exit at Calhoun St East.
Proceed to the traffic light
Turn right onto West State St.
Go past Capital Building.
Turn right onto Barrack Street.
Go 2 blocks and turn left onto West Lafayette St.

FROM I-95 South:
Follow I-195 West to Rte 29 N.
Follow Rte 29N through tunnel.
Continue past waterfront park area.
Go thru 2 traffic lights and
exit at Market St.
Proceed on Market to second light and turn left
onto South Warren St.
Make left at first traffic light to West Lafayette St.

FROM Route 1 N:
Follow to Market Street Train Station exit.
Turn left at exit ramp onto Market St.
Continue to 5 th traffic light and make right turn onto South Warren St
Follow one block to next traffic light and make
left onto W. Lafayette St.

FROM Route 1 S:
Follow to Market Street Train Station exit.
Turn right at exit ramp onto South Stockton Street.
Follow one block to traffic light and make left onto East Front Street.
Continue on East Front St to 3 rd traffic light and make left onto South Warren St.
Follow one block to next traffic light and make right onto W. Lafayette St.

From New Jersey Turnpike (North or South):
Follow Turnpike to exit 7A.
Follow signs for I-195 West.
Follow I-195 West to Rte 29 N.
Follow Rte 29N through tunnel.
Continue past waterfront park area
Go thru 2 traffic lights and
exit at Market St
Proceed on Market to second light and turn left
onto South Warren St
Make left at first traffic light to West Lafayette St.

For more info contact the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Hotel
1 West Lafayette Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
(609) 421-4000:

Vendor Opportunities

We will be offering vendor tables and advertising opportunities to all participants at our conference. For more information, see our flyer.

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