“Wind Beneath My Wings”
Demitrea Foster, Executive Secretary of the City of Richmond’s Employment
Training Department and vocalist, accompanied on the piano by Saffron Strand volunteer Evan Nair-Gill, PhD.                                                                

Homeless and Going to Work: Beyond Barriers to Passion and Possibility
Denise Bissonnette, acclaimed author and job development consultant, challenges us to stretch our thinking, question our assumptions, and turn our traditional way of looking at ourselves and the world on its head! Denise draws on her reservoir of work assisting individuals from “marginalized populations” – including the homeless -- to find their productive place in the work world, She presents practical tips for applying “possibility thinking” to our work with those who are homeless, to our understanding of leadership and “initiative-taking,” and to building more inclusive communities that are true to the dream of diversity. In the spirit of practicing what we preach, Denise also challenges us to examine our own passions and purposes as we attempt to bring our best to the world each day. In her inspiring style, Denise weaves poetry, parables, and real-life stories into a rich and memorable learning experience.

Welcome to National Networking by Jovanka Beckles, City of Richmond Council Member.                                                             

Employment professionals working with the homeless can improve outcomes by practicing the Nicaraguan saying “Do not go where the road leads. Rather, follow your own path and leave a trail.” This workshop offers a practical, innovative, and proactive approach to job development, including employment services for marginalized populations like the homeless. The workshop challenges the job developer to look beyond traditional methods for achieving placement results. The workshop uses real-life examples for an inspiring, mind-opening, relevant, and timely learning experience for employment professionals who work with the most challenging clients. Presenter: Denise Bissonnette, morning plenary speaker, author, and international job consultant.

Creating a Dialogue of Hope with Persons Who Are Homeless
How can a group process which is humanizing and creative, promote healing and empowerment among community members who are homeless? This participatory workshop introduces the philosophy and practice of Paulo Freire, renowned Brazilian educator. Grounded in values of respect, pragmatism, and love, his work invites us to develop critical awareness through social dialogue. Through Freire’s process, we can explore experiences of economic, racial or gender discrimination within a societal context. Once such experiences are validated, a “knowing” emerges leading to the confidence to act and create our own history. Come experience this process and discuss implications for working with persons who are homeless. Presenters: Rita Barouch, MSW, Perinatal Program, Contra Costa Health Services, and David S.B. Mitchell, MS, educator and writer, Washington, DC.

Treatment for Drug Offenders: How to Really Make It Work
Research shows that treatment is more effective than punishment in reducing recidivism among drug offenders, including large numbers who become homeless soon after release. However, not all treatment programs are equally effective. The most effective programs identify higher-risk offenders and provide them the most intensive treatment. In this workshop, participants learn the “risk and needs matrix” to identify higher-risk offenders and a range of cognitive behavioral curricula for offenders to develop greater prosocial skills. Presenter: Igor Koutsenok, MD, MS, Director of the University of California San Diego’s Center for Criminality and Addiction Research, Training, and Application, San Diego, CA

WorkFirst: Applying the Stages of Change Model to the Homeless Workforce
Many workforce development programs are not equipped to work with people who have histories of homelessness, disabilities, or multiple employment barriers. WorkFirst applies a three-year demonstration grant to increase housing retention and incomes among 140 formerly homeless clients using the “stages of change model” (Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change or TTM) and supported employment principles. Workshop participants learn how to incorporate WorkFirst’s model, program design, and learnings from the first year into their respective programs. This workshop also is available on May 17 in Workshop Period 1. Presenter: Wendy Lauser, Director of IMPACT Employment Services, hopeFound, Inc., Boston, MA.

Panel on Re-Entry in Richmond: Our Experience with Homeless Ex-Offenders
Richmond faces all the criminal justice challenges of cities throughout the Bay Area, including a sizeable population of homeless ex-offenders. Counseling these Richmond residents offers insights into helping them rebuild their lives through work opportunities and thereby re-enter local communities with less stigma and greater earning potential. Moderator: Nicole Valentino, Advisory Committee Member, Saffron Strand, Inc. Richmond. Panelists: Members of the Richmond community.

Cultivating the Spirit to Work: Inspiring Change during Transition
Motivation and self-esteem are critical and often elusive issues professionals must face in helping people to prepare for any major life transition, including entering the world of work. This dynamic workshop provides a unique and inspiring approach, focusing on the importance of fostering hope, courage, action, and belief -- and the interrelationship of these crucial elements. Workshop participants gain a fresh understanding of “motivation,” both on a personal and a professional level. Presenter: Denise Bissonnette, morning plenary speaker, author, and international job consultant.

Post Incarceration Syndrome:
A Theory to Increase Re-entry Success among Formerly Incarcerated Persons
Due to the conditions of incarceration and circumstances of release, the formerly incarcerated face increased risk for homelessness, substance abuse, violence, and mental health disorders. This workshop introduces service providers to Post Incarceration Syndrome (PICS), a theory developed by cognitive and behavioral therapist Terry Gorski. The workshop explores how service providers and their clients can identify the traumatizing experiences of re-entry by means of the PICS theoretical foundation and how this framework can guide the development of effective treatment plans. The workshop also examines three types of intervention to reduce or alleviate PICS symptoms: Transitions framework, harm reduction, and community investment or advocacy. Presenter: Talia Yaffa Rubin, MSW, currently working with youth formerly in foster care in Contra Costa County.

Panel Presentation: Education and Works Skills for the Homeless
In addition to health care and housing, a homeless person needs relevant education linked to work skills and job experience. Richmond-based Saffron Strand, Inc. is a non-profit membership organization whose “intentional community” of members have access to Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at nearby Contra Costa College. EOPS offers education-related services that dovetail into Saffron Strand’s innovative employment program, thereby accelerating members’ transition out of homelessness. This workshop also is available on Tuesday, May 17, during Workshop Period 2. Moderator: Raj Hejala, Director of Development, Saffron Strand, Inc., Richmond. Panelists: Tiffany Scott, Member, and Evan Nair-Gill, PhD, Volunteer, Saffron Strand, Inc., Richmond, and Kenneth Reynolds, Students Services and Instructional Support Coordinator, Contra Costa College, San Pablo.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation:
Identifying and Helping Domestic and Immigrant Survivors
This workshop focuses on human trafficking, both foreign and domestic, which often exploits the homeless. The workshop enables participants to define human trafficking and exploitation, identify their occurrence and victims, and communicate with survivors. Participants learn about the trauma of trafficking, effective counseling techniques, and the integration of service provision and programming in the agency setting. The workshop also explores the challenges of providing services to survivors, the role of victim advocates, and how to respond to cases of human trafficking among both domestic and immigrant survivors. The workshop can enable service providers to better recognize human trafficking of both domestic and foreign victims and provide a basis for intervention and support of surviving victims. Presenter: Veronica Ramon Boutelle, MA (Counseling Psychology in progress), CDVC, CSAC, TCVA, AHT Case Specialist/Victim Advocate, Community Violence Solutions, San Pablo.

Five-Year Plan to End Homelessness of Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking decisive action to end the homelessness of veterans in five years. This workshop describes the five-year plan put into action in Northern California where veterans at risk of homelessness or attempting to exit homelessness must have “easy access” to programs and services. Workshop participants learn about resources, programs, and benefits tailored for veterans in Northern California, including the Bay Area. Presenter: Tracy Cascio, LCSW, Homeless Program Manager, VA Northern California Health Care System, Oakland.

Reception for Conference Participants, Presenters, and Exhibitors
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres with wine from local vineyards, along with other beverages, in the company of colleagues, plenary speakers and workshop presenters, and friends from the exhibiting agencies and businesses who help sponsor the Conference.

Trauma and Homelessness: A Critical Intersection
Dr. Wayne Centrone is a physician and public health professional with the Homelessness Resource Center at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Washington, DC. He also serves at the Center for Social Innovation in Newton Center, MA and works with high risk, marginalized, and underserved populations, including the homeless. Wayne focuses on the pervasive trauma of homelessness, which affects both the homeless and providers delivering supportive services. He uses story, anecdote, and academic literature to review the concepts of trauma, stress and vicarious traumatization, followed by an exploration of promising “trauma-informed” practices that help end homelessness.

Welcome to Advocacy Luncheon and Awards Ceremony with Eduardo Martinez, Richmond Progressive Alliance.

Poem by Jerome Smith, Community Advocate for the Homeless, Richmond Progressive Alliance

“Homeless Court: Justice That Works” with The Honorable Steven Austin, Judge, Superior Court of Contra Costa County. Judge Austin is a pioneer of the “homeless court” which brings the justice system to the homeless in shelters and other not-court-like venues. Judge Austin offers examples of judicial decisions which have encouraged homeless offenders to enter vocational rehabilitation, life skills training, community service, job searches, and other activities that help them get back to work. His work helps enable offenders to resume employment while meeting the requirements of justice.

My Perspective on Homelessness by Carlton Lax, Member, Saffron Strand, Inc.

Awards for Reducing Homelessness
John Lozier, MSSW, Executive Director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, presents Saffron Strand’s annual awards for extraordinary skill, effort, and spirit in the quest to discover, develop, and implement sustainable solutions to homelessness throughout the Bay Area.

● Homeless Citizen Achievement Award -- honoring a homeless Contra Costa citizen who has made extraordinary progress, against all odds, in improving his or her job skills, employability, and economic independence -- won this year by Tiffany Scott, Saffron Strand’s Office Manager and Member;

● Homelessness Program Achievement Award -- honoring a government, non-profit, or faith-based program's extraordinary performance over the past year in helping to reduce homelessness in Contra Costa County -- won this year by the Housing Consortium of the East Bay;

● “Voice of the Homeless” Media Award -- honoring the leadership of a San Francisco Bay Area corporate or individual print, broadcast, or web-based media source in reporting on homelessness issues most accurately and fairly over the past year -- won this year by San Francisco and national health care issues columnist and blogger Jan Gurley, MD aka “Doc Gurley;” and

● Homelessness Advocacy in Action Award -- honoring one person anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area who has been highly effective in advocating and achieving positive results with responsible, actionable, and sustainable solutions for homelessness – won this year by Gayle McLaughlin, Mayor of the City of Richmond.

Understanding Traumatic Stress and Trauma-Informed Care
A number of critical factors make traumatic stress especially debilitating for both homeless persons and those who work to help them. This workshop details the best practice procedures of trauma-informed care. Presenter: Dr. Wayne Centrone, morning plenary speaker, physician and public health professional, Homelessness Resource Center, U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Washington, DC and Center for Social Innovation, Newton Center, MA

A Taste of Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing or MI is an effective technique in helping homeless persons orient themselves toward greater self-sufficiency. This workshop provides a useful overview. Presenter: Ken Kraybill, Homelessness Resource Center, U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, DC.

Social Connectedness:
Making It Part of the Job Description for Homeless Service Providers
The Center for Social Innovation near Boston brings research and applied science to bear in developing innovative solutions to homelessness, including means to optimize the “social connectedness” of homeless service providers. This additional qualification especially improves outcomes for homeless clients with histories of mental illness, substance abuse, and community violence. Presenter: Livia Davis, MSW, CSWM, Center for Social Innovation, Newton Center, MA.

Promises and Pitfalls of Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health:
The Richmond Health Center Experience
Integrating medical care with mental health and substance abuse treatment is an ongoing challenge when helping the homeless. This 90 minute workshop provides a “case example” of work in progress within Contra Costa County’s Ambulatory Care system, where the Richmond Health Center is among the largest (serving 40,000 children and adults). Presenter: Johanna Ferman, MD, morning plenary presenter and Director of Behavioral Health in Ambulatory Care, Contra Costa County Department of Health Services, Martinez, CA.

WorkFirst: Applying the Stages of Change Model to the Homeless Workforce
Many workforce development programs are not equipped to work with people who have histories of homelessness, disabilities, or multiple employment barriers. WorkFirst applies a three-year demonstration grant to increase housing retention and incomes among 140 formerly homeless clients using the “stages of change model” (Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change or TTM) and supported employment principles. Workshop participants learn how to incorporate WorkFirst’s model, program design, and learnings from the first year into their respective programs. This workshop also is available on May 16 in Workshop Period 1. Presenter: Wendy Lauser, Director of IMPACT Employment Services, hopeFound, Inc., Boston, MA.

Enhancing Skills in Motivational Interviewing:
Recognizing, Eliciting, and Responding to “Change Talk”
This workshop further explores and expands on the techniques of motivational interviewing (MI) outlined in the May 16 overview workshop on MI. Enhanced MI skills enable counselors and professionals to optimize outcomes for homeless clients with some of the most challenging issues, including mental illness, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders. Presenter: Ken Kraybill, Homelessness Resource Center, U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, DC.

Panel Presentation: Education and Works Skills for the Homeless
In addition to health care and housing, a homeless person needs relevant education linked to work skills and job experience. Richmond-based Saffron Strand, Inc. is a non-profit membership organization whose “intentional community” of members have access to Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at nearby Contra Costa College. EOPS offers education-related services that dovetail into Saffron Strand’s innovative employment program, thereby accelerating members’ transition out of homelessness. This workshop also is available on May 16, during Workshop Period 2. Moderator: Raj Hejala, Director of Development, Saffron Strand, Inc., Richmond. Panelists: Tiffany Scott, Member, and Evan Nair-Gill, Volunteer, Saffron Strand, Inc., Richmond, and Kenneth Reynolds, Students Services and Instructional Support Coordinator, Contra Costa College, San Pablo.

Panel Discussion on Municipal ID Cards:
A Means for Community-Based Social Integration That Helps the Homeless?
San Francisco and Oakland already offer municipal identity cards while other cities are considering similar programs. By providing official photo IDs to those who can prove residence, cities can allow access to libraries and other municipal facilities and services. Municipal ID cards could benefit homeless people, who may not have a driver’s license or other photo ID. However, such programs are controversial because of concerns that they may encourage illegal immigration and increase demand for unreimbursed public services. Moderator: Roberto Reyes (Richmond Progressive Alliance). Panelists: Miguel Robles (project director of the Alianza Latinoamericana por los Derechos de los Immigrates or ALIADI, the Latin American Alliance for Immigrant Rights), Daniel Luna (one of the founders and current legal advisor to ALIADI and an attorney for the Service Employees International Union’s Local 1000), Maria Dominguez (founder of Oakland City ID Card Coalition), Maria Rivera (immigration attorney), and a representative of an East Bay municipal police department (to be determined).