Hundreds of Volunteers to be Trained Jan. 17th, 18th and 19th to Conduct 2013 Countywide Homeless Survey
The Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H) & Common Ground Santa Barbara County will train volunteers to count how many individuals and families are living on the streets
The trainings will take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (training dates and locations listed below).
In 2011 Santa Barbara County had the most “Registry Week” volunteers of any community nationwide to help conduct the bi-annual Vulnerability Index Survey and Point in Time Count to discover how many individuals and families are living on the streets. This survey ensures that those who are at the highest risk will receive valuable life-saving resources and services, moving them into housing and reducing their dependency on expensive emergency services.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO/WHAT: Approx. 500 volunteers of all ages from the community being trained to conduct the bi-annual Homeless Point-in-time Count and Vulnerability Index Survey. The survey is designed to discover how many individuals and families are living on the streets, and prioritize outreach to those at the greatest risk.
WHEN/WHERE: Members of the news media are invited to cover any of the 5 training sessions held on Jan. 17 (Lompoc), Jan. 18t (Santa Maria) or Jan. 19 (Santa Barbara) and talk with Survey coordinators and volunteers:
SANTA MARIA
Training Day, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2-4pm
Church for Life, 3130 Skyway Dr #501, Santa Maria, 93455
SANTA MARIA
Training Day, Thursday, Jan. 17, 6-8pm
Church for Life, 3130 Skyway Dr #501, Santa Maria, 93455
LOMPOC
Training Day, Friday, Jan. 18, 2-4pm
New Life Christian Center
816 North C Street, Lompoc, 93436
LOMPOC
Training Day, Friday, Jan. 18, 6-8pm
New Life Christian Center
816 North C Street, Lompoc, 93436
SANTA BARBARA
(Training location for Goleta, Isla Vista, and Carpinteria)
Training Day, Saturday, Jan. 19, 1pm-4pm:
Earl Warren Showgrounds, Warren Hall, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, 93105
Volunteers can still register and must attend one of the trainings: sign-up and more information at www.CommonGroundSB.org or call (805) 451-5604.
The Vulnerability Index was introduced in 2011 in a number of communities across the U.S. as a major improvement to the bi-annual nationwide homeless “Point in Time Count.” The Vulnerability Index enables the collection of more meaningful data and increases the potential impact of local agencies to successfully reach, help and house those in our County who are at the greatest risk of mortality.
When the Vulnerability Index Survey was completed in 2011, Santa Barbara County had more than 500 volunteers contact 1,536 people and 1,143 surveys where completed. Of the surveyed participants, it was found that 932 (79%) of people were vulnerable with high mortality risk if they remain on the streets. So far 108 people have been housed, including 17 vulnerable families.
Common Ground Santa Barbara County, in partnership with the 100k Homes Campaign and the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H), is dedicated to housing the most vulnerable on our streets in Santa Barbara County. For more information visit www.CommonGroundSB.org.
