
Learning Lab is a space for CDSS Program Leaders to gain critical knowledge, skills, and resources focused on helping you effectively manage and scale housing and homelessness programs. During each Learning Lab session, a subject matter expert will dive deeply into a key topic or tool, providing both essential context and practical application tips you can bring immediately to your work.
Ask-an-Attorney for HDAP Benefits Advocates
Join Change Well Project for a monthly opportunity for HDAP Benefits Advocates to drop in on-line and ask an attorney your questions about Social Security rules, CAPI rules, or other HDAP-specific case questions. This is a collaborative space for experts and practitioners to work through the daily challenges of benefit advocacy. All attendees are encouraged to come with any and all questions regarding SSI, SSDI, or CAPI.
Program Foundations: Intensive Learning for Rehousing Program Staff
During this two-day intensive learning program, program staff will gain a full understanding of all necessary components for implementing CDSS Housing & Homelessness Division-funded housing programs. This learning opportunity is intended to give programs a solid foundation in building a program no matter the stage of your program’s implementation. Attendees will leave equipped with a full understanding of program operations and how to sustainably build their program. The training covers the essential details of building a program budget, creating and implementing program policies and procedures, and compliance and monitoring improvement. Attendees will also learn how to build their program’s housing portfolio through landlord engagement, master leasing, and shared housing strategies. The training will also discuss how to apply a racial equity lens to your program and concrete next steps to improve your program. Attendees will gain the confidence, instruction, and tools needed to fully operate a sustainable and equitable program.
Meeting the Needs of Older Adults & Adults with Disabilities: A Forum for the Grantees of the Home Safe, Community Care Expansion, Project Roomkey, and Housing and Disability Advocacy Programs
This virtual forum will showcase effective strategies to address homelessness among older adults and adults with disabilities in California. Attendees will have a platform to discuss challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities with counties and tribes participating in the Home Safe Program, Community Care Expansion (CCE), Project Roomkey (PRK) and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) as well as connect with advocates, researchers, community-based organizations, and other state agencies dedicated to assisting older adults facing homelessness across the state.
Landlord Engagement Series: The who, what, when and how of developing a successful housing navigation and location system.
This series of sessions will take a deep dive into a system-wide approach to landlord engagement and unit acquisition, and will provide detailed examples of how best engage and support landlords, housing program participants. You will complete this series with the necessary tools to implement a systemic approach to working with landlords in your community and increasing your community housing stock.
Budget Workshop: Navigating the ACWDL Budget Requirement
Join us for an informative and comprehensive budget presentation that will guide you through the intricate process of budgeting for CDSS (California Department of Social Services) programs. Designed to explain the top-level categories of fiscal program planning, this presentation offers a high-level framework that will help counties navigate the ACWDL (All County Welfare Directors Letter) budget template. Whether you're a seasoned budgeting professional or just starting, this presentation promises to be an invaluable resource, ensuring that your county is well-prepared to meet the demands to support your CDSS programs effectively.
California Department of Social Services Housing and Homelessness Programs announces $17.5 Million Available in Tribal Set-Aside Funds
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Housing and Homelessness Branch has set aside $17.5 million of match-exempt funds available to California tribes to operate programs serving community members experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. These funds are an opportunity for California Tribes to set up programs providing direct housing assistance and wraparound housing supports to community members through several targeted programs.
This virtual forum will showcase effective strategies to address homelessness among older adults and adults with disabilities in California. Attendees will have a platform to discuss challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities with counties and tribes participating in the Home Safe Program, Community Care Expansion (CCE), Project Roomkey (PRK) and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) as well as connect with advocates, researchers, community-based organizations, and other state agencies dedicated to assisting older adults facing homelessness across the state.