Point in Time Count Training

• Valeri Knight – Pierce County Human Services - knight@piercecountywa.gov
• Let me know ways we can improve for next year
• Why do the point in time count? To raise community awarenesss – get folks talking about homelessness.  And to count folks.
• Volunteers – must be 18 years of age – wan to get minors involved next year. 
• Need mobile device - If you don’t have one, we’ll partner you with folks with mobile devices.  (You have a right to tweet.  Anything you tweet can and will be held against you.  You have a right to a mobile device.  If you cannot afford a mobile device, one will be provided for you… well, not quite, but it feels like that some days. –ed)
• We work in teams in assigned areas – don’t go rogue (we all saw how things worked out for the team in Rogue One: a Star Wars Story.  Yes, mission accomplished, but not quite the Hollywood ending. –ed)
• You are responsible for your own transportations 
• You’ll check in at different sites.  Not everyone has to go to Tacoma to count in rural areas in the county.
• We are there to collect their story –
• Please make sure you submit the surveys.  The surveys will save as drafts –
• Dress in plain clothes – nothing flashy or expensive.  Shoes need to withstand dirt and needles.  No flashy jewelry or anything that distracts from the conversation.  No political buttons either.  No perfumes or aftershaves – smells are often triggers.
• Have the County phone number with you – we’ll have folks able to help anytime. 
• Make sure mobile device is fully charged
• Stay with your team
• Have plenty of gas in your cars (sounds like the advice I give my 16 year old whenever he leaves the house…. –ed)
• Introduce yourself – “My name is valori knight..), and then we ask if they know anyone who is homeless.  That question opens the door to people they know and doesn’t insult them. 
• Don’t take valuables with you. 
• Take no notes or photos or videos.
• Take no weapons – no knives, bear spray or anything.  We’ve had no issues in 23 years
• Don’t carry any money – it causes problems.  We have a ton of donations – we just received 4,000 pairs of socks. 
• Molina healthcare – donated space blankets – Kaiser permanent donated hygiene kits.  Food and water from Emergency food network
• Don’t convince folks to take the survey – don’t push them into answer questions.  Don’t assume you know the answers to questions.   If they are using a wheelchair and they say they have no disability – you mark no disability.
• Be respectful and thoughtful – don’t crowd folks
• Be aware how your approach is affecting folks.  If folks take a step back, respect that.  We won’t get everyone to participate.  They get a donation if they answer questions or not
• Ask permission to enter an encampment
• Know your entries and exits – andkeep your hands visible. 
• Respect the environment you are going into – no giggling and carrying on- be aware of your surroundings.  People get very frustrated with repeated surveys. 
• State your purpose – you are a volunteer – no identifying information is collected. 
• You may see no one – or see ten folks that refuse a survey.  Or see a lot. 
• Watch tone and voice and facial settings.  Be careful about how you ask questions when you might have a personal bias
• If you wear glasses, don’t take them off, because it is aggressive. (news to me – how about taking off “air glasses” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c47MW8Y8Rk4 –ed.)
• Don’t give a lot of personal information.  Share what you’re comfortable with. 
• Do not proselytize – no initiating religious conversation.  You can respond to folks asking to pray if that is comfortable, but no initiating
• David – I’ve been doing this a long time – how are they counting youth who are just not allowed on the list because they are youth.  Valeri – we are counting youth. 
• We are counting in hospitals and jails .  there are options to pick around housed and homelessness.
• 211 has handouts and business cards – 253-682-3401
• If people are hiding drugs, syringes, money, weapons, politely leave as fast as possible (sounds like advice from my grandmother – good advice, tough –ed)
• David –can we bring Narcan?  Valeri – if you are trained, you many carry it
• Don’t discuss encounters as you leave – only in the car. 
• No public facebook posts – don’t share the private stories about folks.  You can make vague posts – just don’t tell someone’s story – not too much detail. 
• Overnight Outreach team – a bunch of outreach workers – 10am-2am.  Do observation counts at night. 
• Outreach options
  • Street outreach
    • In and around bowling alleys, restaurants, casino (introduce yourself and ask permission), fast food places, convenience stores, dumpster areas, labor ready,
    • Hotels motels -
    • Churches
    • Fire station
    • Taverns/bars.  (see Team Kelly for more information… -ed)
  • Table sites at DSS, hot meal sites, food anks
    • Nativity house shelter
    • Salvation army shelter
    • DSHS offices
    • Meal sites
    • Food banks
    • 11^th ave Sea Mar community health center
  • Community events
    • Project homeless connect
      • 10am-2pm – at oasis of hope 19^th and g street
      • Lots of resources available
    • Reach youth and young adult event (with OASIS)
      • Everyone under the age of 24 – 10am-2pm 
      • 714 s 27^th, 1^st floor
      • Resource table, lunch resource bags
      • Education and employment
    • Friday night feed at TRM
    • Friday night check-in at freezing nights in Puyallup

• Observation – just for
• Unsheltered –
• Sheltered – doubled up, in shelter,