Editor's
Note. Need for agreement on defining who is homeless: This is important in deciding what sub-populations will be used as a base for analyzing needs and available resources in the plan. Many current homeless advocates in El Dorado County includes anyone that is not the primary members of a house or apartment, which would include everyone that rents a room. The user is cautioned that although CoCs are required to provide an unduplicated count of homeless persons, a standardized methodology to determine unduplicated counts of homeless persons within CoCs has not yet been implemented and the reliability of different street count methodologies can vary.
By Cathy Locke - clocke@sacbee.com
Volunteers are sought to help document the number of people who are homeless in El Dorado County.
The 2008 Homeless Count will be conducted Jan. 28 through Feb. 2.
The count helps determine the amount of money the county receives for services for homeless people. It documents the extent of the problem for those who fund aid for the homeless, establishes baseline data for historical purposes and aids in better understanding the causes of homelessness so more effective responses can be developed, according to a press release.
Volunteers are asked to donate three to four hours to the task. They will participate in a one-hour training session before assisting with the count.
Drivers and counters are needed the morning of Jan. 29, and interviewers are needed Jan. 28-Feb. 2.
To volunteer and sign up for a training session, visit the Web site at http://eldoradocount.wikispaces.com , or e-mail Danielle Crowell at danielle@homebaseccc.org, or Yvette Harmon, El Dorado County Human Services-Housing Programs, at yvette.harmon@edcgov.us, or call (530) 642-4855.
El Dorado Homeless Count
Do you care about the plight of the homeless people on the streets of El Dorado County?
Do you wish there were more housing and services to help people who truly want help?
Are you frustrated with inadequate funding that doesn’t meet the needs of our community?
Then JOIN US in the 2008 Homeless Count and make a difference in YOUR community!
Drivers & counters needed for the morning of January 29, 2008
Interviewers needed for the week of January 28 - February 2, 2008
This year El Dorado County has the opportunity to affect the amount of money that comes to our county for homeless services by documenting the extent of homelessness in our county through a point-in-time count of unsheltered homeless persons. This is a massive effort requiring hundreds of caring volunteers who are willing to donate 3-4 hours of their time, but the rewards are many. Counts document the extent of the problem for funders, establish baseline data for historical purposes, and help us better understand the causes of homelessness so more effective responses can be developed.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteer TODAY to attend a one-hour training , then either help count on the morning of January 29th or during the week of January 28th- February 2nd. A four-hour investment of your time next month could mean a LIFETIME of difference to a homeless family living on the streets in cold and rainy weather!
To sign up, please fill out the application on this page:
Volunteer Application
Dates and times of trainings:
Trainings
To learn more about why we are doing the count:
Why Count?
All volunteers are asked to participate in a one-hour training prior to the
count. We will be offering volunteer trainings at the following dates, times,
and locations.
Cameron Park: El Dorado County Library
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
South Lake Tahoe: South Lake Tahoe Library
Wednesday, 16 January 2008 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Placerville: EDC Community Services
Wednesday, 16 January 2008 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
