UPSTREAM 2024 Frontline Solutions to Homelessness

National homeless service provider HELP USA presents its annual symposium, UPSTREAM: Frontline Solutions to Homelessness on January 31, 2024, in partnership with City & State. Be a part of the conversation as a cross-section of industry leaders identify short-term tactics and long-range strategies to address the impact of migrant populations on NYC’s homeless systems!

The opening panel explored the original intent of The Callahan Consent Decree ruling juxtaposed against the backdrop of New York City’s current homelessness crisis, examined the scope of the ruling and its application to non-Americans, and the finite limits to the ability of any municipality to care for its existing homeless population topped by substantial immigration. Then, practitioners and service providers delved into the challenges they have experienced housing migrants, and how they have adapted existing systems to serve the needs of this population. The day continued with keynotes, testimony from clients, targeted roundtable lunch discussions, and opportunities for networking!

8:30 AM	Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM	Emcees Welcome Nicole Richards, Senior Vice President Single Adult Services, HELP USA Syrena Huggins, AVP Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Services, HELP USA Introductory Remarks Dan Lehman, President & CEO, HELP USA Anthony Williams, Chairman of the Board, HELP USA
9:10 AM	Emcee Introduction Welcome Remarks by Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
9:20 AM	Emcee Introduction Keynote Remarks by Dr. Kim Hopper, PhD, Professor of Clinical, Sociomedical Sciences & Adjunct, Professor, School of Law, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
9:45 AM	Emcee Introduction
9:45 AM	POLICY: The Callahan Consent Decree Exploring the original intent of this landmark ruling juxtaposed against the backdrop of New York City’s current homelessness crisis; examining the scope of the ruling and its application to non-Americans; and the finite limits of the ability of any municipality to care for its existing homeless population topped by substantial immigration. A roundtable discussion with government leaders, nonprofit partners, and business will address current and future policy proposals to cut through red tape and provide lasting solutions to chronic homelessness. Richard R. Buery, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Robin Hood (Moderator) Joshua Goldfein, Staff Attorney, The Legal Aid Society Linda Gibbs, Principal, Bloomberg Associates Achilles Kallergis, Director, Zolberg Institute Project on Cities and Migrants, The New School Molly Wasow Park, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS)
10:45 AM	Break
11:00 AM	PRACTICE: Housing Migrants – Adapting Existing Models to Serve Non-traditional Population Needs Listen in as front-line leaders address the challenges and stresses on existing models caused by the migrant influx. Hear how these seasoned homeless services experts adapted systems, reworked procedures, and innovated methods to address the urgent need for jobs, legal aid, and education for adults and families with distinctly different traits than the population the system was designed to serve. Liza Schwartzwald, Director of Economic Justice and Family Empowerment, The New York Immigration Coalition (Moderator) Danielle Minelli-Pagnotta, Executive Director, Providence House Connie Morales, Executive Director, HELP USA Jerry Heaney, VP of Transitional Housing, Samaritan Daytop Village Aqueelah Winston, DHS Deputy Commissioner of Intake and Assessment Rudy Racine, Vice-President, Operations, Equus Workforce Solutions
12:00 PM	FINDINGS: Real Stories from Residents A conversation with individuals who arrived in NYC as immigrants will provide case-based examples of how our services, systems, and policies are impacting those on the receiving end, especially in the quest to find employment. Learn the latest findings revealed in a research report focused on the outcomes of migrants who have access to job placement programs. Presenters: Maryanne Schretzman, Executive Director, NYC Center for Innovation through Data Intelligence Ashwin Parulkar, AVP Research, HELP USA Moderator: Camila Gripp, Research, Evaluation, and Learning Officer, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Panelists: HELP USA Queens Sanctuary Site Resident.
12:45 PM	Luncheon - Moderated Roundtables presented by Lamb Insurance Michael Lamberg, National Sales Director, Lamb Insurance Jina Park, Senior Vice President, Families with Children Services, HELP USA
1:45 PM	Spotlight Discussion Steve Berg, Chief Policy Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness Ralph R. Ortega, Editor-in-Chief, City & State NY
2:15 PM	FORECAST: Removing Obstacles to Long-Term Housing Stability for Migrants Join experts from government, academia, and business as they share a vision for adjusting our approach to affordable housing and reducing barriers to economic independence. Listen as they explore concepts such as Shrinking Cities, Workforce Integration, Affordable Housing Preservation Funds, and other ideas that will permanently reduce stresses on existing systems and remove barriers that prevent migrants from rapidly exiting transitional housing, accelerating permanent, long-term stability. Kirk Goodrich, President, Monadnock Development & Co-Host, “The Housing Problem” Podcast (Moderator) Douglas James, Founder & CEO, James Equities LLC Ted Houghton, President, Gateway Housing Shane Cox, Chief Strategy Officer, Athos Home
3:15 PM	Afternoon Plenary Presentation Dennis Culhane, Professor, Dana and Andrew Stone Chair in Social Policy, Co-Principal Investigator, Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy
3:45 PM	CONNECTIONS: Networking, Coffee, Cake, & Closing Remarks Samantha Conlan, SVP Development & Communications HELP USA
4:00 PM	Symposium Concludes

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