The OAHC functions primarily as a planning consortium, with much of the coalition’s
work occurring through a number of standing committees and task forces. The current
list of standing committees. along with a brief description of their purpose, is found
below:
- Executive Committee – provides general oversight of all OAHC activities, including directing the efforts of the OAHCs coordinator(s).
- Interagency Services Team – strives to eliminate service coordination barriers and encourage enhanced service coordination and collaboration among area service providers.
- Homelessness Awareness Committee – conducts the annual Point in Time Count including outreach, training and analysis. Explores ways to educate the community regarding data collected on homelessness and facilitates Project Homeless Connect events.
In addition, a number of shorter term task forces or ad hoc committees exist to respond to specific issues. Some of those listed below were formed by the OAHC in response to a particular issue or need, while others were formed by an affiliated group or organization with representation by members of the coalition.
- Chronic Homelessness Task Force – exploring strategies for most effectively responding 10 the needs of unaccompanied adults with disabling conditions who have been homeless for extended periods of time.
- Homeless Youth Council – engaging in planning to identify service needs for homeless youth and to prevent homelessness among youth exiting the foster care system.
- Ottawa County Re-Entry Task Force – planning for systematic approaches accross multiple service systems to prevent homelessness among persons being discharged from local jails and state prisons.
- Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) -the OAHC is participating in a statewide implementation of a coordinated and comprehensive homelessness data management system. Participating agencies meet routinely review and analyze data.
