Oregon Balance of State HIV/AIDS Housing & Services Systems ...

50 Oregon HIV/AIDS Housing and Services Systems Integration Plan
on the availability of service matches through HIV Care and Treatment services, and rent subsidies
through OHOP.
Action steps may include:
• Take advantage of events in which Steering Committee members are involved in planning,
such as the Oregon Housing and Homeless Conference (April 11, 2008).
• Briefly summarize the detailed information available about the needs of and resources for
people living with HIV/AIDS in Oregon (such as this Plan), and focus on aspects of OHOP
and HIV Care and Treatment and their clients that are most relevant to the particular agency
or audience being targeted. To the extent possible, present locally specific information about
HIV/AIDS and housing needs in each jurisdiction.
• Tailor outreach efforts for critical audiences, with specific goals or strategies highlighted. For
example, information on the cost-savings of providing housing to people with HIV/AIDS in
each region can help persuade local government officials to allocate funding from human
service budgets to meet these needs, or to prioritize them in Consolidated Plans.
3. Engage provider agency staff, clients, and other regional participants in publicizing the
need, opportunity, and benefits of investing in housing and services for people living
with HIV/AIDS.
Work with local stakeholders to build their capacity to foster support and monitor progress in their
jurisdictions. Stakeholders may include HIV/AIDS service agencies, HIV Housing Task Force
members, HIV Care case managers, consumer representatives, and other partners across the state.
Action steps may include:
• Use the calendar of local funding and planning processes in the affordable housing resource
guide (Appendix 1) to guide timely outreach efforts, such as participation or presentation at
public meetings.
• Create “talking points” for regional partners to guide presentations that advocate for focusing
local resources on the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.
• If staff capacity is insufficient for this range of activities, OHOP could choose to direct
technical assistance funds to contract with a consultant, or seek a university partner, to design
and coordinate a proactive outreach plan.
4. Offer trainings and create forums for sharing best practices to build OHOP and
partner staff capacity.
Provide staff with opportunities to build knowledge and share successful program strategies, and
elicit engagement and guidance from a diverse oversight body.
Action steps may include:
• Convene monthly or bi-monthly meetings via phone conference for OHOP housing
coordinators and Ryan White case managers to collaborate on case problem-solving and
discuss resources for clients. Empower OHOP housing coordinators to seek assistance as
needed directly from HOPWA technical assistance providers (Building Changes staff) for
HOPWA program questions.