INNOVATION WATCH . . .

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. Federal, state, and county partners gathered this week in California's capital to recognize innovative initiatives from California's Department of Social Services (CDSS) to reach aging out foster care youth, including those with disabilities. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano joined Department of Social Services Director John Wagner to focus on the state's strategies to prevent homelessness for foster care youth through expanded access to key economic resources and the partnership of SSA Deputy Regional Commissioner Patty Robidart in forwarding the new solutions. Director Wagner created a replicable solution to more rapidly complete SSI applications for aging out youth and is seeking a federal waiver to enroll the population in the Food Stamp program.

"We know these times are very challenging," Director Wagner told the partners at the press event. "But today is an exciting day, and we're here to celebrate a major victory for California foster youth. It's exciting because all of us - CDSS staff, with our federal, legislative, county, and philanthropic partners - have been working hard to find innovative solutions to help youth aging out of foster care succeed in adulthood." Pictured here are (left to right): Social worker Daniel Gamel, Diana Williams of Yolo County, former foster care youth David Underwood, Assembly Member Noreen Evans, Director Wagner, SSA Deputy Regional Commissioner Patty Robidart, Director Mangano, Angie Schwartz of the Public Interest Law Project, and Coordinator Cabrera.

"Director Mangano's presence here today is testimony to the good work we are doing in California," said Wagner (pictured here). Director Wagner and Director Mangano also acknowledged the key roles of other officials at the event, including Deputy Commissioner Robidart, Assembly Member and Budget Committee Chair Noreen Evans, Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services Chief Deputy Director Diana Williams, and Yolo County social worker Daniel Gamel, who presented David Underwood, who recently left foster care and is now receiving SSI. Also present were partners Angie Schwartz of the Public Interest Law Project, and Amy Lemley of the John Burton Foundation. Director Wagner presented Director Mangano with the California DSS Director's Achievement Award during the event.

"With these new initiatives targeted to foster care youth, California is moving once again to provide better and quicker access for a vulnerable population," indicated Director Mangano (pictured here). "This expedited and replicable effort to access mainstream benefits will reduce homelessness rather than leaving young people at risk and on the streets." Director Mangano noted the consistent commitment of the Social Security Administration to partner in national and regional solutions to homelessness.

In California, approximately 4,200 foster youth emancipate out of the foster care system each year without a permanent home or source of support. CDSS has undertaken a number of initiatives to reduce the number of foster youth aging out of foster care annually without permanent family connections and to ensure greater access to supports for those who do emancipate from foster care. An estimated 15-20 percent of youths aging out of foster care are eligible for federal disability benefits, called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI benefits are a potentially significant source of income for eligible foster youths who are about to leave foster care and have no other income. Policies governing the foster care system and the SSI disability determination process, which California estimates at 6-9 months, left most of these youth, potentially eligible for SSI, exiting foster care without this important benefit. Working with legislative sponsors of AB 1331, including The John Burton Foundation and Public Interest Law Project, CDSS convened a workgroup with the Social Security Administration. Through this workgroup the State has successfully negotiated an improved process wherein foster youths can apply for SSI benefits.

CDSS received federal approval in January 2008 from SSA to allow disabled foster youth to apply for SSI benefits before they turn 18 years of age and emancipate out of the foster care system. This approval is enabling California to move forward with implementing the provisions mandated by AB 1331, state legislation sponsored by Representative Noreen Evans. Under AB 1331, the State's 58 counties can transfer a foster youth's case from federal foster care benefits to state foster care benefits for one month to allow the SSA to accept and process a SSI application before a foster youth turns 18 years of age and exits foster care.

California additionally has proposed a streamlined system to offer aging youth access to Food Stamps and hopes to be the first state in the nation to undertake this collaborative effort through a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The initiative will involve county social workers and eligibility staff who will ensure that foster care youth receive assistance in applying for the program before they exit foster care. Youth will receive assistance in filing from their county worker who will automatically forward the individual's application for processing. Without this approach, a youth must know about the program, find a local office from which to apply, and negotiate a complex process without targeted assistance.

California will also seek expansion of the Food Stamp program for foster care youth by further simplifying the application process and modifying eligibility criteria, as well as creating a flat benefit amount, extended certification periods, streamlined reporting, and a shorter application. This will increase the benefit for youth while removing discouraging barriers and complex requirements.

"Under Director Wagner's leadership, DSS has demonstrated commitment to improve access and reduce application times for key resources for people who are homeless and at risk - earlier this year through the statewide CHOICE program (Cooperative Homeless Office-Initiated Consultative Examination), DSS changed 'business as usual' in the SSI disability evaluation process which is so important for chronically homeless individuals," said Director Mangano. "As was the case in Director Wagner's previous innovative efforts to prevent and end homelessness in Massachusetts, he has once again created an initiative that is replicable in other states and has worked with the Interagency Council to encourage SSA to adopt national policy to benefit foster care youth." Council Regional Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera and National Team Leader Michael German also took part.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Jurisdictional 10 Year Plan leaders from 18 cities and counties across Northern California - part of California KEYS - gathered this week at the invitation of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The event at the newest site of San Francisco's Direct Access to Housing initiative was organized by Council Regional Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera and designed for 10 Year Plan leaders to strengthen their partnership and share their innovations and challenges with peers. California KEYS is the collaboration of 10 Year Plan leaders from across California. Executive Director Philip Mangano, in California to meet with state and local officials in Sacramento, Fresno, Riverside, and Los Angeles, welcomed federal and local jurisdictional partners (pictured here).

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom welcomed partners and noted both successes that San Francisco has achieved in addressing homelessness and current challenges posed by budget issues, foreclosure, and unemployment. Mayor Newsom (pictured here) praised the work of the Interagency Council in its partnership initiatives. Angela Alioto, Chair of the San Francisco Ten Year Planning Council and initiator of KEYS with San Diego Community Champion Dene Oliver, shared the history of the California KEYS and its strategy of 10 Year Plan peer partnership, and underscored the challenges the City is facing. Dariush Kayhan, Ed Demasi, and Marc Trotz of the City of San Francisco also took part.

A key focus of the meeting was results-oriented, multi- jurisdictional 10 Year Planning. Partners in attendance represented San Francisco, Marin County, San Rafael, San Leandro, Fresno, Oakland, Alameda County, Sacramento, San Jose, Monterey County, Fremont, Livermore, Napa County, Sacramento County, Contra Costa County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and West Sacramento.

Director Mangano updated the jurisdictional partners on the research, resources, and results at work across the country. Director Mangano briefed partners on the progress of the National Partnership constellated by the Council and new innovations and results from across the country, as well as challenges and opportunities.

Urging the partners to adopt innovations that are working to end homelessness, Director Mangano indicated, "If after 25 years of response to homelessness, with innovations touching almost everything else in our lives, if we're still doing the same thing for our poorest neighbors, warehousing them in shelters and feeding them ad hoc-ly with drive- by meal programs and bread lines, then shame on us. If that's the best we can do, if that's the best we have decades after our first response, we need to re- think what we're doing."

Other federal partners in attendance were Emory Lee, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Executive Officer who briefed attendees on the Federal Regional Council and the Region IX Interagency Council and its recent outcomes, before presenting the group with copies of the Medicaid Primer developed by HHS. Other federal partners present were Patty Robidart, SSA; Gail Easley, SSA; Athena Chapman, HHS-CMS; and Jessica Raska, DOL Job Corps. Council National Team Leader Michael German also participated.

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. New Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin and new County Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Anderson this week reaffirmed their commitment and partnership in the implementation of Fresno's 10 Year Plan (HOPE: Housing First, Opportunity, Prevention, and Establishing Collaboration) unveiled in September 2008. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who visited then-Mayor Alan Autry and County Chair Henry Perea for both the launch and unveiling of the Plan, congratulated the new jurisdictional partners. Pictured here are (left to right): Mayor Swearengin, Director Mangano, and Chair Anderson.

The new Fresno officials, along with Director Mangano, then joined in a press event where they became the latest signatories to the America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions, an unprecedented 12-point agreement by elected city and county officials that has been signed by over 440 officials in the first year after its launch.

"I want to thank former Mayor Alan Autry and the past City Council and Board of Supervisors for the work they have put into creating this plan since Mr. Mangano's December 2007 appearance before a Joint meeting of the City Council and Board of Supervisors, to the adoption by each body in September to today," said Mayor Swearengin. "His support, encouragement, and perseverance has paid off here and many other cities and counties in America."

"We have still much further to go," she added, "and with the recent hiring of a staff person to implement the plan, a cost benefit analysis soon to begin, short, intermediate and long range plans to provide permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced chronic homelessness, and rapid refocusing of those who have experienced homelessness due to foreclosure, loss of a job, or health issues we are beginning to see a new day rise and the seeds of hope will soon turn into the signs of an emerging crop of housing opportunities for the homeless to move them from the streets to a home."

"This is a good day in Fresno," indicated Director Mangano. "The Mayor's background in public-private partnership focused on employment is a great asset to the employment goals of Fresno's 10 Year Plan, which are a key element in ending homelessness. The partnership of the private sector is key not only for its resources but also its mindset. And County Chair Anderson brings her history of public service in the County, her work in the juvenile court, and her civic commitment through the YMCA and other non-profits, to this issue." Director Mangano further commended the appointment of Greg Barfield (pictured here with the Supervisor), Fresno's new 10 Year Plan point person and former key aide to Council Member Cynthia Sterling, who has been instrumental in Fresno's initiative and has shown abiding commitment on the issue of homelessness across mayoral administrations. Mr. Barfield is the Homeless Prevention and Policy Manager, in the Office of the City Manager of Fresno.

Mayor Swearengin was Director of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State where she worked to improve the lives of Fresno families through workforce development strategies and educational initiatives. In 2002, she co-founded the Regional Jobs Initiative (RJI), a comprehensive, industry focused effort aimed at attacking chronic unemployment in Fresno County. During her tenure as Chief Operations Officer for the RJI, over 23,000 new jobs were created. In 2005, Mayor Swearengin became lead executive for the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, a high-level working group established by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to address critical resource needs in our community.

Key aspects of Fresno's Plan include a goal of placing over 940 individuals in permanent supportive housing to end their chronic homelessness, quickly establishing systems and programs that provide immediate relief to chronically homeless people, including respite care, providing public showers, triage medical care, and clothes exchange at a consistent location to address local issues, and adopting Project Connect.

The Plan proposes a public-private partnership with a 40% employment goal, creating an employability, education and benefits assessment at intake into housing or services and utilizing an employment re- entry and outreach program that serves both the homeless population and those leaving correctional facilities to increase opportunities for employment and stability.

Expanded prevention initiatives include improved discharge planning from hospitals, corrections, and foster care, one-time foreclosure assistance for low-to- moderate income residents, strengthening ties with faith-based organizations, shelter providers, and the Housing Authority of the City and County of Fresno to provide outreach programs that are designed to increase housing and economic stability, and expanding services that support housing stability such as rental assistance, legal assistance, and affordable housing placement and creation.

Regional Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera and Council National Team Leader Michael German also took part.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. Meeting in Sacramento City Hall this week, the Sacramento Policy Board to End Homelessness, which, with the Sacramento Planning Council comprises the leadership team for Sacramento's city-county 10 Year Plan, convened with new Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and County Supervisor Roger Dickinson to welcome United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano and to reaffirm the commitment of the new Mayor and the County Supervisor to the Plan.

Director Mangano, who had visited Sacramento in late 2008 for its inaugural announcement of a 5 percent decrease in chronic homelessness as it moved forward with the implementation of its Plan under then- Mayor Heather Fargo, also visited with then Mayor- elect Johnson and agreed to meet after the Mayor's inauguration. Mayor Johnson pledged to sustain both the role of Sacramento's Policy Board guiding its Plan and the staff commitment the City currently has to plan implementation.

Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative Director Tim Brown and Diane Luther, prior Director and now Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Authority official overseeing permanent supportive housing production for the plan, briefed the Board. Director Brown briefed the Board on the new Faith and Families Initiative which will be launched in early 2009 as a pilot program with the support of City Councilmember Rob Fong to help families avoid or escape homelessness. Patterned after successful programs in Denver, Colorado and Boise, Idaho, the initiative provides temporary housing assistance, financial planning and education provided by mentor teams, and other supportive services to families through a partnership between faith congregations and service providers. The philosophy of the program is based on developing relationships between families and groups of volunteer mentors from the faith community. Families targeted are newly homeless, who need short-term assistance to get back on their feet, and do not have significant problems with mental illness or drug/alcohol addictions.

The Sacramento Policy Board, made up of high-level public and private sector community leaders, started meeting in January of 2007 and has the task of providing strategic direction, oversight, and advocacy for the Ten Year Plan and for homeless services. The Interagency Council, made up of government agencies, service providers, and community stakeholders, started meeting in February of 2007 and has the task of planning and coordinating service delivery and recommending policies and strategies to the Policy Board.

Sacramento's consistent commitment of leadership further demonstrates the national pattern that has evolved, despite an early concern about sustainability of commitment in a national partnership focused on jurisdictional officials from state, county, and city government, given inevitable leadership changes through election outcomes or term limits. Over the course of seven years since the revitalization of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and its constellation of the national partnership, there has been a steady pattern of deepened commitment - rather than abandonment of mission - through leadership changes at every level of government.

In May of 2000, Mayor Johnson retired from the NBA after 12 seasons with the Phoenix Suns. He returned to his hometown of Sacramento, California to serve as the CEO of St. HOPE, a non-profit community development corporation he founded in 1989 designed to revitalize inner-city communities through public education, economic development, civic leadership and arts enrichment. He served on the Board of Directors for LISC National, the CA Charter School Association, the UC Berkeley Foundation, the Institute of Governmental Studies National Advisory Council and the Harvard Divinity School SLI Advisory Board. He was honored by President George Bush with the Point of Light award and was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND. In the face of what United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano has termed the "double trouble" of the mortgage/foreclosure crisis and job loss, United Way of Rhode Island this week deemed its ongoing investments in safety net services and 211 services "just not enough," and announced the creation of a community-wide, three- month-long fundraising and education effort to raise money and build awareness about homelessness prevention and to draw attention to those at risk of becoming homeless. United Way has invested in the state's 10 Year Plan partnered with the State of Rhode Island and with HousingWorks RI, a coalition of banks, builders, Chambers of Commerce, colleges, community and faith based agencies, realtors, municipal officials and unions, who initiated the successful and cost-effective Housing First RI pilot.

United Way of Rhode Island's CEO and President, Anthony Maione, joined by Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, Noreen Shawcross, Executive Director of the R.I. Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD); Eileen Hayes, President and CEO of Amos House, and Madeline Silva of Family Resources Community Action's Family Support Center - announced that United Way will match contributions to the new United Way Fund to Prevent Homelessness in Rhode Island dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 between January 12 and March 31, 2009.

One hundred percent of the contributions made to the fund will be distributed to meet rent, mortgage, and utility payments by paying bills for families through United Way of RI's Housing and Homelessness Committee participants and the 211 line: Amos House, Bradford Jonnycake Center, East Bay Community Action Program, Family Resources Community Action, Salvation Army, Pawtucket Corps, Salvation Army, Providence Corps, WARM Shelter, Westbay Community Action Program, Wood River Health Services, Comprehensive Community Action Program, Crossroads R.I., Providence Neighborhood Agency Association members, Tri-Town Community Action Agency and South County Community Action.

WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced awards totaling $200 million to help prevent homelessness, and provide food and shelter in communities across the nation through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), which last year marked its 25th anniversary.

According to FEMA Administrator David Paulison, the funding was made available by Congress for the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country. EFSP grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano applauded FEMA for the EFSP program's history of flexibility, local decisionmaking, and rapid response, and he identified EFSP as the model for the public-private partnership which is driving political will and results on the issue of homelessness now. "We especially affirm the leadership role of the United Way on this initiative; these resources are more important than ever in combating economic difficulties across the country."

EFSP is administered by a National Board of voluntary agencies chaired by Berl D. Jones, Jr. of FEMA. Member agencies of the National Board include American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities; and, United Way of America.

The EFSP began in 1983 with a $50 million federal appropriation to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter. The EFSP, appropriated annually under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, provides supplemental funds to over 12,000 agencies for the prevention of homelessness and the provision of other food and shelter services. Since its inception 26 years ago, more than $3.3 billion in federal aid will have been disbursed through the EFSP with fiscal year 2009 funding.

The National Board qualifies jurisdictions for annual EFSP funding awards based on criteria involving current population, unemployment and poverty levels. Grants are awarded to non-profit community and government organizations that are chosen by Local Boards in the qualifying jurisdictions.

WASHINGTON, DC. The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday released a draft $825 billion economic recovery bill that includes new spending for homelessness prevention, housing programs, and benefit, health care, and income supports. A Senate proposal is expected today before the Congress takes up the measures during the next month, starting with a proposed House markup next week. A summary of some of the key elements to prevent and end homelessness is included here.

Neighborhood Stabilization: $4.2 billion to help communities purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant properties in order to create more affordable housing and reduce neighborhood blight.

Emergency Shelter Grants: $1.5 billion for the HUD Emergency Shelter Grant program to provide short term rental assistance, housing relocation, and stabilization services for families during the economic crisis. Funds are distributed by formula to jurisdictions.

FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter: Program: $200 million to help local community organizations provide food, shelter, and support services to the nation's hungry, homeless, and people in economic crisis including one-month utility payments to prevent service cut-off and one-month rent or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or help people leave shelters. Funds are distributed by formula based on unemployment and poverty rates.

SSI Payments to Disabled and Elderly: $4.2 billion to help 7.5 million low-income disabled and elderly individuals by providing an additional SSI payment in 2009 equal to the average monthly federal payment under the program (approximately $450 for an individual and $630 for a couple).

Community Health Centers: $1.5 billion, including $500 million to increase the number of uninsured Americans who receive quality health care and $1 billion to renovate clinics and make health information technology improvements.

Education for Homeless Children and Youth: $66 million for formula grants to states to provide services to homeless children including meals and transportation when high unemployment and home foreclosures have increased the number of eligible children.

Additional proposals include: Centers for Independent Living ($200 million for state formula grants to help individuals with disabilities continue to live in their communities); AmeriCorps Programs ($200 million to put approximately 16,000 additional AmeriCorps members to work doing national service, meeting needs of vulnerable populations and communities); Compassion Capital Fund ($100 million for grants to faith- and community-based organizations to provide critical safety net services to needy individuals and families); Medicaid Aid to States (FMAP) (approximately $87 billion to states, increasing through the end of FY 2010 the share of Medicaid costs the federal government reimburses states, with additional relief tied to rates of unemployment); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ($2.5 billion for block grants to help States and to prevent them from cutting work programs and services for abused and neglected children); Community Services Block Grant ($1 billion for grants to local communities to support employment, food, housing, and healthcare efforts serving those hardest hit by the recession); Community Development Block Grants ($1 billion for community and economic development projects including housing and services for those hit hard by tough economic times); Economic Development Assistance ($250 million to address long-term economic distress in urban industrial cores and rural areas distributed based on need and ability to create jobs and attract private investment); Veterans Medical Facilities ($950 million for veterans' medical facilities); Job Corps ($300 million to upgrade job training facilities serving at-risk youth while improving energy efficiency); Training and Employment Services ($4 billion for job training including formula grants for adult, dislocated worker, and youth services); Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants ($500 million for state formula grants for construction and rehabilitation of facilities to help persons with disabilities prepare for gainful employment); Benefits Extension ($27 billion to continue the current extended unemployment benefits program - which provides up to 33 weeks of extended benefits - through December 31, 2009); and Medicaid Coverage for the Unemployed (provides 100 percent federal funding through 2010 for optional State Medicaid coverage of certain groups).

The House Appropriations Committee noted the following about the proposal which includes no earmarks. "A historic level of transparency, oversight and accountability will help guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and Americans can see results for their investment." The Committee release went on to point out that funds are distributed through existing formulas to programs with proven track records and accountability measures already in place. Actual spending, contract and grant competitions and awards, and formula grant allocations are to be posted to a special website created by the President. Program managers will also be listed. Public notification of funding must include a description of the investment funded, the purpose, the total cost and why the activity should be funded with recovery dollars. Governors, mayors or others making funding decisions must personally certify that the investment has been fully vetted and is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. A Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board will be created to review management of recovery dollars and provide early warning of problems. The seven member board includes Inspectors General and Deputy Cabinet secretaries. The Government Accountability Office and the Inspectors General are provided additional funding and access for special review of recovery funding.

Across the nation, from coast to coast in cities of all sizes, jurisdictional leaders partnered with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness in Ten Year Plan efforts began 2009 by reporting on their progress in reducing and ending homelessness in their communities. In State of the City and other addresses, Mayors have highlighted their partnership and results. Following are excerpts from recent events.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's State of the City Address to the City Council

" . . . I have to acknowledge the success we have had with our human service and community partners in addressing homelessness in metro Atlanta.

"The Regional Commission on Homelessness continues to focus on: (1) ending chronic homelessness within 10 years, (2) preventing homelessness and (3) creating a more responsive system for the temporarily homeless, is proving to be effective.

"We used the regional approach to bring 8 Jurisdictions together to begin to address long-term homeless issues in metro Atlanta:

· "$22 million in ADA bond funds for capital to develop housing with support and assessment centers. · Raised over $30 million from private funders · Created centralized case management system through the Gateway 24-7 Center · Partnered to successfully lead and coordinate effort to obtain over 300 housing units upon turnover of Fort McPherson. · Developing partnership with Veteran's Administration to support effort to provide housing and services to veterans · Reunified over 8,000 persons · Served over 6,000 persons at the Gateway each year · Provided employment for over 1,200 homeless persons through our partners in the last 2 years"

Boston Mayor Tom Menino, in his announcement of the results of the city's annual census

" . . . the census also revealed some good news reflecting the city's efforts as there were fewer adults in emergency shelter for the fourth consecutive year, decreasing from 1,396 to 1,335. There was also a reduction in the number of homeless adults in high cost hospital beds, from 249 to 215 and a decrease in the number of elderly individuals on the streets from a high of 77 in 2004 to fewer than 30 in December.

"We have made some progress but there is still more to be done. These reductions reflect that our housing strategy for the long term homeless population is having a positive effect in shelters and on the streets."

Fresno, California Mayor Ashley Swearengin

"Over 350 cities and counties in the United States have mustered the political will to establish 10 Year Plans. The City and County of Fresno joined that list just this past September 9, 2008 and today will show our commitment to the effort even as the political leadership has changed Supervisor Anderson and myself adding our names to the America's Road Home Pledge."

San Jose, California Mayor Chuck Reed in his State of the City Address

"Last year also showed what can happen when we work together to solve problems. By collaborating with the County on Destination Home, an innovative program to end chronic homelessness, we now see a future where no one lives on the streets or in the creeks of San José. Supervisor Don Gage - thanks for co-chairing this effort with me."

San Jose's new Public Intoxification Task Force meets for the first time this week. Created in October 2008, the City Council directed that a Task Force investigate recommendations for non-criminal sanctions and diversionary approaches as alternatives to arresting individuals for public intoxication.

Eugene, Oregon Mayor Kitty Piercy, in her State of the City Address

"Again with our community partners, Project Homeless Connect was held last February, providing one-stop services for 1,158 guests. While we all wish fewer people were homeless, over 600 wonderful volunteers donated their time and energy to help their neighbors. Eugene continues to reach out to the homeless and needy. This wonderful event will occur again in March and I encourage you to get involved."

Pictured above are Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin (speaking), and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed (right) with Council Director Mangano.

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