Summary of recommendations from the community forum

1. Summary of Recommendations from the Community Forum
Thank you to those who were present and for taking time to be involved with the Community Forum on
Thursday, March 15th
, 2012. The feedback from the Forum and focus groups was very positive.
Approximately 120 people attended the forum with representation from at least 15 different organizations
within the community along with city, county and state representation. A questionnaire was completed
by 69% of those in attendance with 92% stating that the forum increased their awareness of homeless
individuals and family’s needs as well as 92% stated that the forum encouraged them to talk with their
policy makers and leaders regarding the needs of those who are experiencing homelessness. Eighty nine
percent stated that the Forum increased their awareness of the National Guidelines for the homeless in
delivery of healthcare and services.
The focus groups were a great venue to connect with resources and to discuss the important issues and
concerns related to homelessness. We had 13 focus groups during the forum with approximately 9 people
in each group. Please note the attached table of the recommendations incorporated from the focus groups,
the photovoice participants, and the National Guideline.
While St. Paul has many resources available, accessing them is not always easy. Areas of concern that
were clearly identified were access and awareness of resources and centralizing both services and
resources that are accessible to those experiencing homelessness (in shelters, drop­in centers, churches,
schools, clinics). The National Guidelines very specifically state that in order to improve health
outcomes, integrated, coordinated, and accessible services need to be delivered within the community.
The information and brainstorming ideas to improve services will be shared with local healthcare
providers as well as local and state policy makers. A ‘one stop shop’ or a place where resources along
with services are accessible was one of the most noted ideas by the focus groups. Grant opportunities will
also be sought.
Work continues to be done through Ramsey County’s ‘Heading Home Ramsey’, an initiative to end
homelessness in St. Paul and Ramsey County. There are opportunities to become involved through this
program and initiative at: http://headinghomeminnesota.org/ramsey/
Other contacts for Ramsey County would include:
Carol Zierman, Coordinator of ‘Heading Home Ramsey’ at: carol.zierman@co.ramseh.mn.us
Jim Anderson, Homeless and Refugee Services Planner at: Jim.Anderson@co.ramsey.mn.us
The National Guideline ‘Adapting Your Practice: General Recommendation for the Care of Homeless
Patients’ (Bonin et al., 2010) can be found at:
http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=16325&search=homeless
Thank you again for your attendance and involvement at the Community Forum. Let’s keep working and
together we can end homelessness!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or follow up from the forum.
Thanks,
Joyce Bredesen
Joyce.bredesen@metrostate.edu