Meeting Information

This page includes information for regularly scheduled Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative Executive Board, Governing Board and Committee and Working Group meetings.

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Executive Board Meetings

The Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC) Executive Board is responsible for appointing and overseeing the Executive Director, BKRHC finances, contracts and media relations, with the goal of ending homelessness in Kern County’s communities. The Executive Board was established in 2019. The nine-member Executive Board includes two representatives each from the County of Kern and City of Bakersfield, four subject matter experts and one at-large member appointed by the Governing Board.

Regular Meetings of the Executive Board are held on the first Monday of the month at 2:00 P.M. They are open to the public to attend.

Materials for upcoming and previous meetings can be viewed here.

Governing Board Meetings

The Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative Governing Board is authorized by the Voting Members of the Continuum of Care (CoC) to conduct the work and structure defined in the CoC Governance Charter. The Governing Board directs the work of BKRHC on behalf of the CoC, conducts hands-on work and facilitates committees and task groups necessary for the proper and efficient functioning of BKRHC, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) program (Bakersfield/Kern County CA-604) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program support.

 

The Governing Board meets monthly (except December) on the last Wednesday of the month at 9:00 AM.

 

Materials for upcoming and previous meetings can be viewed online here.

Committee and Working Group Meetings

The following Committees and Working Groups have regular meetings that are open for public participation and engagement. A full list of Committee and Working Group descriptions is available for download here. 

Materials for upcoming and previous meetings can be viewed online here.

Planning and Performance Committee

Planning and Performance Committee

Encourages participation of the County of Kern and City of Bakersfield offices in ongoing CoC efforts, monitors outcomes of projects funded under both ESG and CoC programs as required by The HEARTH Act, and participates in applicable consolidated and yearly action plans.

Coordinates with the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Committee to:

  • Ensure reporting of quality data: APRs and the AHAR; and
  • Reviews (in addition to the Housing Committee) the required HMIS policy documentation review for BKRHC members including but not limited to: HMIS Policies and procedures; MOU, Interagency Agreement, Client Consent, and End User Agreement.

Coordinates with the Collaborative Applicant to:

  • Conduct a CoC-wide need gaps analysis;
  • Submits the Grant Inventory Worksheet to HUD; PENDING COMMITTEE REVISION VOTE AND BOARD APPROVAL
  • Coordinate Corrective Action Plan letters and responses for APR improvements; and
  • Coordinate the HUD ranking and application process for HUD CoC funding.

Meets monthly on the third Wednesday at 3:00 PM. Meetings are held at 1115 Truxtun Ave 5th Floor, in the CAO’s Office. 

SOAR Committee Meeting

SOAR Committee Meeting

Directs and evaluates the work of COC-wide linkage to SSI/SSDI benefits for people who are homeless or at-risk for being homeless, using the SOAR method. Analyzes and reports outcomes to the Board with a focus on improving benefits’ access and promoting the SOAR process locally. (SOAR: SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery)

Meetings meet monthly on the last Thursday of each month at 11:00 am.

Coordinated Entry and Assessment

Coordinated Entry and Assessment

Facilitates Coordinated Entry and Assessment for Kern in compliance with HUD CoC requirements, and enveloping processes and procedures that maximize BKRHC member resources; collaborate with community partners and seeks to serve the full County of KernAnnually reviews the Coordinated Entry and Assessment Plan for Board approval.

Meets monthly on the third Thursday at 10:30 AM. Meetings are held at the Housing Authority of Kern County, 601 24th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

HMIS/Data Quality

HMIS/Data Quality

Coordinates the BKRHC Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) processes including application implementation; facilitates staff training; prioritizes technical support issues; ensures data collection processes and quality are in accordance with HUD standards; reviews HMIS policies and documents twice annually for compliance with the HUD and the Governance Charter (5.07) and recommends best practices on data quality collection; reporting; HIPAA Compliance and security.

Meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 9:00 AM. Meetings are held at Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, 1120 21st Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

Housing

Housing

Studies best practices; recommend housing solutions; offers data collection/ technical assistance to service providers with the CoC Housing Inventory Chart [HIC]; and engages potential private/public stakeholders, developing housing projects based on community needs. In the area of chronic homelessness, the Committee:

  • Identifies monitors and champions “Housing First” initiatives including implementation and monitoring of the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness;
  • Monitors and conducts resource development of Housing Choice Vouchers and “Housing First” projects.

Housing Committee meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 2:30 PM. Meetings are held at the Housing Authority of the County of Kern, 601 24th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

Homeless Prevention and Discharge Planning

Homeless Prevention and Discharge Planning

Builds relationships with local homelessness stakeholders and the community to prevent discharges and entry into homelessness: from medical, mental health, incarceration, foster care, temporary housing. The Committee recommends policies to improve outcomes, maximize resources and recognize gaps and duplication of services.

Meets Bimonthly on the third Thursday at 9:00 AM. Meetings are held at the Larry E Reider Bldg (2000 K St. Bakersfield), Rm. 201)

Homeless Youth Committee

Homeless Youth Committee

Strategizes ways to engage, count and serve homeless youth 24 years and younger in Kern County. The Committee collaborates with school personnel, youth agencies, child welfare, law enforcement, and other agencies committed to ending youth homelessness. The committee created and updates the Youth Resource Guide for homeless youth to utilize. The committee conducts outreach and hosts events geared towards homeless youth. The committee collects data on homeless youth through surveys and focus groups.

Meets monthly on the second Monday at 10:00 AM. Meetings are held at Larry E Reider Bldg (2000 K St. Bakersfield), Rm. 201)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEI)

To evaluate our service delivery to all of Kern but especially Communities of Color and Indigenous Communities. Through both data analysis and community outreach meetings, we will recommend policy change and strategic investment to reduce the inequities we identify.

Meets monthly on the First Tuesday at 03:00 PM.  Meeting location will be announced. 

Youth Action Board

Youth Action Board

The Youth Action Board is open to former/ current homeless youth (18-24 years old).

For any questions regarding the Youth Action Board meeting dates & times please call the Kern County Network for Children Dream Center at 661-636-4488

Meets monthly on the first Friday at 1:00 PM. Meetings are held at the Kern County Network for Children Dream Center, 1801 19th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301.

Homeless Outreach Committee

Point-in-Time (PIT) Committee

The Point in Time Committee

Plans and implements the annual Point in Time Count according to HUD guidelines while working closely with the CoC to prepare, organize, and submit the data to HUD.  Meets monthly beginning in mid-summer until the actual PIT Count in January.   Meetings are held at The Mission of Kern County, 821 E 21st Bakersfield Ca.

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