Planning forum on homelessness set for June 15

“Defining Our Response to Homelessness” will be the theme of the 2016 Annual Planning Forum on Ending Homelessness in Clallam County, on Wednesday, June 15.

“Defining Our Response to Homelessness” will be the theme of the 2016 Annual Planning Forum on Ending Homelessness in Clallam County, on Wednesday, June 15.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with coffee, tea and light refreshments available. Forum presentations begin at 10 a.m. and adjourn at 1:30 p.m.

The forum is organized by the Shelter Providers Network of Clallam County and is hosted by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 Lopez Ave., Port Angeles.

It is free and open to the public.

Network co-chairmen Kim Leach and Cheri Tinker will present the Annual Report Card on the Work to End Homelessness; followed by a panel defining the service network.

Leach is the executive director of Serenity House of Clallam County. Tinker is the executive director of North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network.

Featured speakers Melodie Pazolt and Jon Brumbach will introduce the state’s new Medicaid Transformation Waiver, which responds to the connection between health and housing.

Pazolt is project director of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Brumbach is the senior policy analyst for the Washington State Health Care Authority.

Consumer needs will be defined by people who have come through local homelessness programs.

The forum will conclude by Defining New Directions, setting goals for 2016-2017 and beyond.

RSVPs are optional. For more information, contact facilitator Martha Ireland at 452-7224 ext. 307, or email shelterprovidersnetwork@gmail.com.