Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 14, 2016 to jessica.hansen@yvcog.org for the Grandview Library Location

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
311 N. 4^th Street, Ste 204
Yakima, WA 98901
www.yvcog.org
509-574-1550

WHAT: Yakima Valley Homeless Program: Project Funding Workshops

Many cities throughout the Yakima Valley have questions about current and potential services available for those who are homeless within their communities. Recent events have emphasized the need to improve communication and collaboration between city leaders and staff from those agencies who serve the homeless. To bridge that gap and bring those parties together, the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments will be hosting their first Yakima Valley Homeless Program: Project Funding Workshop. 

We will release the request for proposals (RFP) for new contracts to serve and house the homeless on March 20^th, for the next funding cycle that begins July 1^st. To better prepare both city leaders and agency staff for the RFP, YVCOG is providing city councilmembers and their staff with the opportunity to learn more about the types of services available in their communities. These workshops will also help service agencies learn more about what solutions city leaders would like to see in their communities.

The goals of the workshops are two-fold:

• To improve communication and foster the exchange of ideas in order to consider new approaches to the problem of homelessness, and;
• To enhance city/service agency awareness and collaboration on project(s) within their cities, prior to the submittal of RFPs this spring.

WHEN/WHERE:

We have scheduled two workshops, one in the Lower Valley and one in the Upper Valley.  Dates, locations and times are as follows:

February 16^th – Grandview Public Library 1:30 – 4:30 pm
(Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 14, 2016)

February 22^nd – ESD 105, 2^nd Street in Yakima, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
(Please RSVP by Monday, February 20, 2016)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Staff members from local service agencies will give a brief overview of current services provided in Valley communities. City representatives can then meet directly with those staff members to ask questions and discuss ideas about reducing homelessness within their communities. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments will also discuss the new funding cycle and the pending release of the request for proposal (RFP) application. Interested members of the community are welcome to attend.

In fulfilling it’s role as a convener, catalyst, and resource, the YVCOG looks forward to bringing city leaders and  service providers together in order to improve understanding and develop long-term solutions to reducing homelessness. Long-term solutions will require ongoing communication and coordination between elected officials, the business community, service agencies, and the faith community.

CONTACT: Crystal Testerman, YVCOG Homeless Program Manager at 509-574-1550 or visit the YVCOG website at www.yvcog.org