The 2018 Annual New York State Conference had 22 workshops divided into three series. See below for a full list of workshop descriptions, videos and presentations.
Addressing the Homelessness & Affordable Housing Crisis Shubert, 6th Floor
State and City leaders are working to address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis through a number of strategic initiatives. Come hear about how the state and city’s new supportive housing programs are going and what other homeless initiatives are underway to help turn the tide.
Steven Banks, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Social Services
Barbara Guinn, Executive Deputy Commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Dr. Ann Marie T. Sullivan, Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health
Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, NYS Homes and Community Renewal View presentation here.
Moderator: Laura Mascuch, Executive Director, Supportive Housing Network of New York
Telling the Story: How Racism Has Informed the Homelessness Crisis Manhattan, 8th Floor
Conducted by prominent anti-racist educator Marc Dones, this workshop will explore the glaring racial disparities in homelessness trends and trajectories. It will tell the story of the roots of racism that have informed the current crisis, providing the audience with the historical context to better inform their strategic goals and direct service methodology.
Marc Dones, Associate Director of Equity Initiative, Future Laboratories
Introducer: Lorraine Collins, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Enterprise Community Partners
Partnering with Community Stakeholders to Site Supportive Housing Majestic, 6th Floor
When providers work with established neighborhood stakeholders early in the development process, everything goes better. Moderated by Council Member Stephen Levin, this panel will feature success stories and tips as to how nonprofit providers can work proactively with local organizations and businesses to both garner community support and ensure new residences meet local needs.
Fernando Brinn, President, The Brinn Group
Theresa Cassano, Director Supportive Housing Loan Program, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development
Brenda Rosen, President/CEO, Breaking Ground
Fred Shack, President/CEO, Urban Pathways
Moderator: Stephen Levin, NYC Council Member, District 33
Working Together in Joint Ventures: Lessons from the Guidebook Cantor/Jolson, 9th Floor
Developing supportive housing in New York is not for the faint of heart. Market conditions and the shifting policy landscape is increasingly motivating for-profits, non-profits and faith-based organizations to form joint venture (JV) partnerships to develop supportive and affordable housing. This panel discussion will outline lessons learned from a variety of recent joint venture initiatives, provide participants with a better understanding of the dynamics of a JV partnership, and stimulate critical questions around the development of a deal.
Arlo Chase, Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Property Development, Services for the UnderServed View presentation here.
Sam Marks, Executive Director, LISC NYC
JoAnne Page, President/CEO, The Fortune Society
Benjamin Warnke, Principal, Alembic Community Development, LLC
Moderator: David Downs, Senior Program Officer, Neighborhood Impact, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
Containing Costs Against the Odds: Cost Containment in Supportive Housing Development Liberty, 8th Floor
With historic commitments to build supportive housing and an unrelenting homelessness crisis, developers must figure out how to do more with the public resources available. Hear about an innovative practice from Massachusetts for decreasing legal costs as well as from key players of the New York supportive housing development world: an owner’s representative, an architect and a government ally who helps developers see their projects through on-budget.
Dana Greenberg, Assistant Director, Bureau of Housing and Support Services, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Judith S. Jacobson, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Massachusetts Housing Partnership View presentation here.
Joseph Olive, Sr., President, Olive Branch Consulting
Anthony K. Shitemi, AIA, Principal, Urban Architectural Initiatives
Moderator: Beatriz De La Torre, Managing Director of Housing, Robin Hood
Using “The Explosive Child" Approach with Hard-to-Engage Populations Empire/Hudson, 7th Floor
Ross Greene developed the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach to working with chronically inflexible children in his best-selling book The Explosive Child that has since been used with a variety of populations. The Center for Urban Community Services’ Intensive Mobile Treatment program integrated the evidence-based practice into their work with individuals who have not been successful in any other existing service model. Come learn about CPS and, through role-play, how to use it in your own work.
Amy Gottheimer, Program Director, CUCS IMT
Natalie Nokes, Case Manager, CUCS IMT
Henry Stemler, Clinical Supervisor, CUCS IMT
Moderator: Sophie Miller, Quality Assurance Director, CUCS
Ethical Dilemmas in the Housing First Model for Families Chelsea/Gotham, 7th Floor
Housing First routinely presents ethical challenges that are even thornier in supportive housing for families as caseworkers attempt to navigate conflicts between the rights of choice for one individual and potential adverse impact on others in the household – particularly minors. This workshop will review ethical principles and legal and professional duties when faced with such challenges and leaders from Joseph’s House and Shelter will share examples from their 14 years of running supportive housing for families.
Natalie Lindop-Braun, Associate Director of Homeless Services, Joseph’s House and Shelter
Kevin O’Connor, Executive Director, Joseph’s House and Shelter
Moderator: Jacqueline Kilmer, Executive Director, Harlem United
Police/Mental Health Collaborations: Working Together Marquis Ballroom C, 9th Floor
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is implementing a number of programs to improve responses to crises involving people struggling with mental health. This panel will feature presentations on three programs: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training; Co-Response Teams; and Neighborhood Policing. Come hear about these programs and what is planned for the future.
CIT Panel Group
James Holmes, Program Manager Clinical Instruction, Center for Urban Community Services
PO Darren Johansen, NYPD, CIT Instructor
Christina Sparrock, CIT Speaker’s Bureau
Co-Response Panel Group
Police Officer Marcos Gallardo, NYPD
Karen, Remy, Co-Response Team Director, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
Neighborhood Policing Panel Group
Alfy R. Jimenez, Senior Program Director, CAMBA
Sergeant Widy Geritano, NYPD
Moderators:
Terri Tobin, Deputy Chief Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner, Collaborative Policing, NYPD
John Volpe, Special Advisor on Criminal Justice, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
Series B: 1:30 PM- 3:00 PM
Responding to the Opioid Crisis in the Homelessness Community Shubert, 6th Floor
The opioid crisis has had devastating impacts everywhere, especially among people experiencing homelessness – on the streets, in shelters and in housing. Hear how three organizations are innovating to meet the challenge.
Luis Fernandez, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, Care for the Homeless View presentation here.
Dr. Allison Grolnick, Chief Medical Officer, Project Renewal View presentation here.
Dr. Andrea Littleton, Medical Director, BronxWorks View presentation here.
Raul Russi, CEO, Acacia Network View presentation here.
Moderator: Rafael Salamanca, NYC Council Member, District 17
Housing for Health: Lessons from LA Manhattan, 8th Floor
In 2012, Los Angeles County’s Department of Health under Dr. Mitch Katz began a unique program to use county health dollars to eventually create supportive housing for 10,000 homeless individuals who were also frequent users of the healthcare system. The nonprofit Brilliant Corners was charged with operationalizing the program and has since found housing, placement and services for more than 4,000 individuals since 2014. Dr. Katz recently moved (back) to New York to run NYC Health + Hospitals. Come hear about this remarkable program.
Dr. Mitchell Katz, President, NYC Health + Hospitals
Bill Pickel, Executive Director, Brilliant Corners View presentation here.
Introducer: Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, NYC Office of the Mayor
NYC 15/15: Open For Business Majestic, 6th Floor
NYC 15/15 is the City's bold commitment to create 15,000 units of supportive housing in fifteen years. With rolling RFPs open and a group of contracts under the City's belt, what lessons have been learned and what's next for this critical initiative?
Emily Lehman, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Special Needs Housing, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development
Kristin Misner-Gutierrez, Deputy Commissioner, Supportive/Affordable Housing & Services, NYC Human Resources Administration
Gail Wolsk, Senior Director, Office of Housing Services, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
Moderator: Richard Roberts, Principal & Managing Director of Acquisitions, Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC
Operationalizing the Talk 2.0: Building Our Roadmaps to Address Vicarious Trauma for Staff Cantor/Jolson, 9th Floor
This session will explore innovative approaches to addressing vicarious trauma, preventing burnout, identifying opportunities for prevention, and bolstering staff retention and resilience. Learn the tools to build a roadmap to help your agency work through secondary stress with staff.
Mary Adams, Managing Director of Mental Health & Wellness, University Settlement House/The Door
Christopher Cochrane, Senior Clinical Director, Harlem United View presentation here.
Sherina Davis, Senior Learning Specialist, Learning and Staff Development Center, Safe Horizon View presentation here.
Nicole Gilbert, Associate Vice President of Clinical Services, Harlem United View presentation here.
Moderator: Jim Mutton, Director of NYC Operations, Concern for Independent Living View presentation here.
Serving Aging Tenants in Supportive Housing Liberty, 8th Floor
As tenants in supportive housing age in place, their needs change and become more complex. Attendees will hear from three providers who have diverse approaches to delivering services to seniors and provide some tips and ideas for listeners to integrate into their own service model.
Rebecca Heller, Director of Aging Services, The Bridge View presentation here.
Kiltie Bedford, Director, Geffner House, Project Renewal View presentation here.
Dr. Elisa Chow, Director, Outcomes Evaluation, ICL View presentation here.
Moderator: Pascale Leone, Associate Director, CSH View presentation here.
From the Board Room to the Budget: Realizing Your Housing Development Vision Empire/Hudson, 7th Floor
Deciding how development fits into your organization’s mission and finances, weighing how much risk is right for you, selecting a development team, and finally seeing a project through construction: putting together a successful project can be a long arduous journey! This workshop will explore the many different paths to successful supportive housing development.
Janelle Farris, CEO, Brooklyn Community Services View presentation here.
Ralph Fasano, Executive Director, Concern for Independent Living
Sean Fitzgerald, Assistant Commissioner, NYS Homes and Community Renewal
John Kimble, Vice President, Philanthropic Initiatives, Deutsche Bank
Moderator: Oliver Chase, Partner, Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP
Everyday Conflict Resolution Marquis Ballroom C, 9th Floor
This interactive workshop will share trauma-informed conflict resolution techniques to help participants manage conflicts that typically arise in supportive housing. We will use case studies from actual disputes and role-play possible responses using accessible tools with a mental health lens.
Dan Berstein, Founder, MH Mediate View handout here.
Maria R. Volpe, Professor of Sociology; Director, Dispute Resolution Program, John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Director, CUNY Dispute Resolution Center
Introducer: David Tatum, Chief Program Officer, BRC
Series C: 3:20 PM- 4:50 PM
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI): Housing Eleven Different Target Populations Shubert, 6th Floor
Now that the ESSHI workgroup has completed the first two years of the Governor’s plan to develop 20,000 units of supportive housing, hear from the eight state agencies charged with its implementation. Panelists will highlight what makes a successful supportive housing project for their respective homeless populations, what services are needed to keep each population housed and what they see as necessary components for the state’s new program moving forward through each specific population lens.
Matt Beck, Director of Vulnerable Populations, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Alexander Brooks, Program Operations Specialist I, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
Brett Hebner, Director of Bureau of Housing Development and Support, NYS Office of Mental Health
Cindy Ravida, Manager of Housing Programs, NYS Dept. of Health, AIDS Institute
Amanda Speciale, Contract Manager, NYS Dept. of Health, Bureau of Social Determinants of Health
Richard Umholtz, Director for the Bureau of Housing and Support Services, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Deborah Vogel, Domestic Violence Program Administrator, NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
Henri Williams, Bureau Director of Housing Services, NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
Moderator: Maclain Berhaupt, State Advocacy Director, Supportive Housing Network of New York
From Awareness to Action: Tools to Implement Anti-Racist Policies at Your Agency Manhattan, 8th Floor
Connecting racism and homelessness, this workshop will provide tools for programs to implement anti-racist policies, practices, and cultural changes that can expand opportunities for tenants and staff. Attendees will learn strategies to help their organizations embody an anti-racism framework within the context of supportive housing. Bring an inquisitive mind, and leave with empowering tools!
Marc Dones, Associate Director of Equity Initiations, Future Laboratories
Introducer: Edline Jacquet, Director of Policy, FPWA
Rising to the Challenge: Developing Supportive Housing in Trying Times with Historic Commitments Majestic, 6th Floor
Developing today in New York is both enormously challenging and exciting: with historic, but separate, City and State commitments and new programs, combined with uncertainty at the federal level, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Two government funders, a syndicator, and a developer will weigh in on these changes and provide some thoughts and advice on how to get a deal done.
Paul Freitag, Executive Director, West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing View presentation here.
Kevin Hoffman, President, Richman Housing Resources
Leora Jontef, Vice President of Multifamily Finance, NYS Housing Finance Agency
Molly Park, Deputy Commissioner for Development, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development
Moderator: David Walsh, Executive Director/Division Manager of Community Development Banking, JPMorgan Chase
CAPS in NYC: Where Are We Now? Cantor/Jolson, 9th Floor
HUD has mandated that all continua across the nation implement Coordinated Entry systems. This panel discussion will provide background information and updates on the Coordinated Assessment and Placement Program (CAPS) in New York City since its implementation in January 2018.
Doug Becht, Assistant Vice President, Breaking Ground View presentation here.
Kristin Miller, New York Director, CSH View presentation here.
Robin Pagliuco, Director of Coordinated Entry, NYC Human Resources Administration View presentation here.
Moderator: Nicole Branca, Assistant Commissioner and Senior Advisor, NYC Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Safety Planning for Intimate Partner Violence in Supportive Housing Communities Liberty, 8th Floor
What can be done when faced with intimate partner violence (IPV) in supportive housing? This workshop will engage the audience and explore tools and tactics such as primary prevention strategies, safety planning for both the individual and the community, interventions to de-escalate conflict, and methods to holistically support all tenants and staff in a trauma-informed manner.
Maureen Curtis, Vice President of Criminal Justice Programs, Safe Horizon
Carol David, Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Domestic Violence, NYC Human Resources Administration
Joscelyn Truitt, Director of Programs and Community Partnership, Brooklyn Family Justice Center/Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence
Moderator: Annette Holm, Chief Special Services Officer, NYC Human Resources Administration
What's the T? Addressing the Needs of Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Tenants Empire/Hudson, 7th Floor
Come out for an interactive workshop to understand the needs and high vulnerability of transgender and gender non-conforming TGNC tenants. You will leave this workshop with language and definitions, knowledge about the barriers specific to TGNC tenants, and trauma-informed tools that can help you provide affirming care to*all* tenants and staff in your agency.
Teal Inzunza, Coordinator of the Economic Empowerment Program, NYC Anti-Violence Project
Lolan Sevilla, Training Coordinator, NYC Anti-Violence Project View presentation here.
Introducer: Cole Giannone, Senior Consultant for Youth Homelessness, NYC Office of the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services
Federal Housing Policy Hopes and Fears Chelsea/Gotham, 7th Floor
Three top national affordable housing policy and advocacy champions from Washington clarify the challenges we face in 2018 and beyond; chronic underfunding and policy proposals such as rent reform threaten to exacerbate the intensifying homelessness crisis. Our panelists will provide us with tools to respond, including the new multi sector affordable housing campaign.
Steve Berg, Program & Policy Director, National Alliance to End Homelessness
Mike Koprowski, National Campaign Director, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Doug Rice, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
View presentation here.
Moderator: Deborah VanAmerongen, Strategic Policy Advisor, Nixon Peabody