1 - What is a CoC?
Section 1- What is a CoC?
HUD defines a Continuum of Care (CoC) as “the group that is organized to carry out the responsibilities required under this part and this is composed of representatives of organizations including nonprofit homeless providers, victim service providers, faith-based organizations, governments, public housing agencies, school districts, social service providers, etc.”
The CoC carries out the responsibilities and duties as required by federal statute and is the coordinating body for homeless services and homelessness resources in the geographic area.
The Balance of State CoC covers 96 counties in Iowa, including all counties except Polk, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury.
The Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care is dedicated to ending homelessness through community collaborations, data-driven strategies, and best practice housing interventions.
Vision: End homelessness in the Balance of State.
The goals of the IA BoS CoC are:
To promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness.
To provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families.
To promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families.
To optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Section 2- What are the Responsibilities of a CoC?
Operate the CoC which includes
Meetings of the full CoC membership as well as appointing Task Groups and Work Groups.
Establishing a Coordinated Entry System
Managing the application process for Continuum of Care funds per the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from HUD
Collaborating with the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Grantee (Iowa Finance Authority) to establish standards for the ESG and CoC programs.
Designating and overseeing a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Continuum of Care Planning, which includes gaps analysis of the needs and services available.
Conducting the Point in Time Count
Section 3 - What are CoC staff roles & responsibilities?
Assist in communication with Board and Task Groups by disseminating meeting materials. This includes managing the CoC website and social media accounts.
Provide staff support to Board and Task Groups.
Draft and solicit feedback on the Consolidated Application.
Monitor all CoC-funded agencies to ensure compliance; work with agencies to address any non-compliance issues.
Provide all administrative support for the work of the CoC, including the grant competition process.
Prepare and submit the CoC Planning Grant.
Institute of Community Alliances (ICA) serves as the Collaborative Applicant and the employer on record for all CoC staff.
Section 4 - What is Coordinated Entry?
Coordinated Entry is considered one of the many interventions in a united effort to end and prevent homelessness. The process works best and provides the greatest value if it is driven by “What does the client need” rather than by provider eligibility. Coordinated entry refers to the process used to assess and assist in meeting the housing needs of people at-risk of homelessness and people experiencing homelessness. Key elements of coordinated entry include:
A designated set of coordinated entry locations, access points, and staff members.
Uniformly trained staff across the Balance of State.
Standardized assessment tools to assess client needs.
Referrals, based on the results of the assessment tools, to homelessness assistance programs (and other related programs when appropriate).
Data collection and management for housing assessment and referrals in a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS); and
Client prioritization and housing service alignment based upon presenting needs and available services.
Coordinated Entry (CE) is important in ensuring the success of homeless assistance and homeless prevention programs in communities. In particular, the CE process helps communities systematically assess the needs of program consumers and effectively match each individual or family with the most appropriate resources available to address that individual or family’s particular needs.
Section 5- What is HMIS?
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) collects client-level data and has reporting capabilities for the CoC. HMIS supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based practices whose effectiveness can be tracked through objective measures. HMIS is an essential tool that helps demonstrate the scope and dynamics of homelessness locally, regionally and nationally. Ultimately, HMIS positions communities to respond systemically to homelessness and improve stability for families.
The Institute for Community Alliances (ICA) is a not-for-profit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. ICA functions as the HMIS Lead Agency and/or HMIS System Administrator in 14 states, providing technical assistance and training support.
The ICA team supports the work of the CoC by completing and submitting all reports required by HUD, including the System Performance Measures, Point in Time Count/Housing Inventory Count, and Longitudinal System Analysis.
ICA also manages the comparable database (DVIMS) for domestic violence providers. This confidential database collects the same information as HMIS but allows for anonymity for these vulnerable households.
Section 6- What is the CoC Grant Competition Process?
Annually the CoC holds a local competition to apply for HUD CoC funding.
The process starts off with an intent to apply, followed by an application through the local competition process. Volunteers review the submitted applications and a recommendation for funding is provided for approval by the CoC Board.
After the CoC finalizes the ranking for funding a compiled application, called the Consolidated Application, is completed and submitted to HUD for final review and awards. HUD notifies CoCs of final awards and provides contracts/grant agreements with funded projects.
HUD also provides special funding opportunities that the CoC applies for, if eligible.
Section 7- How the CoC can help you?
All community partners of the CoC are considered members of the Continuum of Care, including those experiencing homelessness.
The CoC Board of Directors helps to guide the CoC and acts as the primary decision-making body of the CoC.
You can serve as a CoC Board Member or join a Task Group as a voting member to be more involved. If you are interested in this, please connect with CoC staff.
All Board Meetings are public with time for public comment at each meeting. Within the CoC’s policy regarding public comment and public presentation indicating that the Public Comment period shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes in total, subject to waiver by the Board or Chair action and public comments may end if a conversation is not productive or if comments include discrimination or other hate speech. The policy also includes:
Public Comment: Each member of the public will receive no more than two (2) minutes to make their thoughts heard.
Public Presentation: Persons who wish to participate with a presentation on a relevant topic during the public comment period of a Board meeting shall sign up with the CoC Director, no later than five (5) minutes before the announced time of the meeting and note the topic they wish to speak on. No presentation shall exceed ten (10) minutes and delegations of more than five (5) persons shall appoint one (1) person to present their views before the Board.
Addressing Agenda Items: Persons wishing to address a scheduled agenda item shall sign up no later than five (5) minutes before the announced time of the meeting, shall list their full name, identify any group being represented, and identify the agenda item to be discussed. When that agenda item is called by the Chair, the person shall be given no more than five (5) minutes to speak.
Attending Board and Task Group meetings will allow you to stay connected with the policy and planning discussions throughout the state.