SHPA is looking to highlight the great work of our members!
If you are interested in your agency or program to be highlighted!!!
please contact David Esposito at d.esposito@shpa-il.org or (217) 321-2476 x2.
SHPA NEWS
SHPA is pleased to announce that we have transitioned to become State Leads for SOAR. We want to take this opportunity to thank DuPage Federation, specifically Kristin Harshaw and Jordan Durrett for all their efforts to sustain and advance the SOAR Initiative across the state of Illinois and we are very pleased that they will stay on and as local leads for DuPage County.
We at SHPA look forward to re-engaging with the SOAR TA Center, Local Leads, Social Security Administration, Illinois Dept of Disability Determination Services, SOAR Case Managers and stakeholders to enhance and expand SOAR across the state of Illinois. We are kicking off our engagement with a survey to all SOAR providers. If you are a SOAR provider please watch for this communication and we ask that you complete the survey. We cannot enhance our services without the input of those that are doing the work on a day to day basis. We have also dedicated a section of Monday Memo for all things SOAR.
For more information about SOAR, become a SOAR lead or bring SOAR to your community, you may contact David Esposito, Executive Director at (217) 321-2476 x2 or Aaron Eldridge @ a.eldridge@shpa-il.org.
SHPA ADVOCACY CORNER
Introducing SHPA’s Advocacy Committee!
Join Us! Friday February 26, 2021 @ 10:00 am- 11:00 am
SHPA’s advocacy work loops together regional leadership and strong relationships, moving thought into action. Working together, we can accomplish anything. SHPA is dedicated to state-wide advocacy with champions from communities across Illinois. Join us as we lift up the needs related to Supportive Housing and our ultimate goal- ensuring that every Illinoisan has a home that meets their needs in the communities they choose.
The Advocacy Committee will be the action group to help mobilize advocacy campaigns state-wide. We need passionate change makers to be the champions who will help us make the vision, created by experts in our field and grounded in the experience of those who have lived it, become our collective reality.
Our inaugural meeting will introduce SHPA’s advocacy approach, our 2021 initiatives, and next steps for our champions and committee.
Homelessness is an ongoing crisis in Illinois, exacerbated by COVID-19. The response to homelessness in Illinois is very complex, under resourced, and fragmented. Now, is a pivotal time. An end to homelessness requires collaboration around a shared vision. Housing is the solution to homelessness. Services are critical to housing stability. Leadership is needed to establish this vision. An Interagency Council on Ending Homelessnessis needed to finally end homelessness in Illinois.
Cook County Commissioners voted unanimously to extend protections to 245,000+ suburban renter households in Cook County!
SHPA TRAINING CENTER
Supportive Housing & Systems Integration
This webinar will discuss the importance and benefits of working with other large system supportive housing residents, agencies, and the overall sector. The focus will be on the Child Welfare & Schools, Health, and Justice Systems with an emphasis on the COVID-19 response of these systems statewide and nationally. We hope to arm the audience, both leadership & direct service staff with best practices in engaging, building relationships, and potential policy changes. (webinar is FREE to SHPA Members)
Mike Thomson, Michael Weir, and Aaron Chambers of ThomsonWeir, LLC have since 2012 provided SHPA with government affairs and strategic communications services. They advocate for our interests and regularly share important information for our members.
Sign Letter urging Gov. Pritzker to Make IL CRA LAW - Click HERE for a copy of the letter and HERE to sign on.
January 2021 Update: Very important news from IDHS on Homeless Service Spending, ETH Alternative Housing Plans, and Homeless Services Reporting. Click the link above for details.
Please join the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Family & Community Services (IDHS/DFCS) for an update on the COVID-19 Vaccine process via a townhall listening session.
IDHS/DFCS will host a brief update on where the state of Illinois is in the vaccine process, provide updated information and benefits of the vaccine, answer provider questions, and elicit recommendations to help our planning process.
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Location: WebEx (a link will be emailed to those who RSVP)
The IDHS Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Technical Assistance (TA) Learning Management System (LMS) are pleased to announce a new tool to help organizations across Illinois successfully comply with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) and for those who need a refresh.
The system is available for self-paced online learning, with an instructor in a physical classroom or in a virtual classroom online. It includes six modules and the estimated time to complete all modules is approximately 24 hours. The weblink for self-paced online learning is available at no cost on the IDHS website under the "Providers" tab, on the "Provider Information" section.
Links to the IDHS GATA TA LMS and Participants guide:
Updated IDHS Website LINK:
Questions and Assistance:
Assistance with the system may be obtained by using the "Get Support" tab located under "Tools" on the GATA TA LMS launch page.
Supportive Housing Providers Association - Illinois Coordinator, Central & Southern Region - Job Description - Contact David Esposito at (217) 321-2476 x2 or d.esposito@shpa-il.org