If this commission is to succeed, it will require that all members agree to and support these significant guiding principles (in no particular order):

• The commission will have a regional focus while attempting to understand the unique impact of homelessness on each local community.
• Members will be asked to keep an open mind as to the nature and causes of homelessness focusing on educating themselves on the issue and analyzing the facts surrounding the impact in our region/communities.
• The commission will be cooperative in nature and focus on solutions understanding the unique sense of urgency associated with homelessness.
• Solutions will be centered on a comprehensive outcome-based management model that is action and result-oriented.
• Sub-committees will make every effort to research Best & Emerging Practices throughout our region, state and country trying to understand solutions and measurements that can be adapted for our region/communities.

The commission will be divided into five committees.  Each of these committees will research their assigned topic/issue, study the “best and emerging practices,” evaluate current “processes” and resource allocations within our communities, identify gaps of services or resources, look for ways to “leverage” existing opportunities, and present “results-oriented” solutions and recommendations to the general committee for review and action.  Each committee will be made up of six members who will not serve on another committee.  Chairs of each committee, plus a general chair, will create the Steering Committee that will help keep the commission on-task to complete their report.  The following is a list of the committees with their respective assignments:

Global Finance Committee: This committee wil be responsible for identifying and quantifying current sources of public and private homeless services funding. It will identify new sources of funding that can be used to further the goals of the Ten2End plan.

Healthcare Committee:  This committee will be responsible for issues surrounding all types of healthcare for the homeless.  Included will be assistance for mental health & substance abuse, access to services for sexually transmitted diseases/HIV/AIDS, availability of treatment (both in-patient and out-patient), and the impact on the emergency services (EMT/Fire Rescue/Hospital) in our community.

Housing Committee:  This committee will be responsible for issues surrounding housing.  Included will be emergency housing and sheltering, transitional housing, affordable / permanent housing, woodland camps and code enforcement, as well as researching the emerging “Housing First” models throughout the country.

Prevention Committee: This committee will be responsible for identifying annual priorities and recommending initiatives – based on the Ten2End plan – to the full Commission, surrounding prevention and self-sufficiency (not included within other subcommittees) and its regional financial impact. Included will be issues related to education, employment, job training, job placement, benefits assistance coordination, professional training and community education, community court expansion, legal issues and family-focused programs for the growing number of homeless families.

Self-Sufficiency Committee:  This committee will be responsible for issues surrounding self-sufficiency (not included within other subcommittees).  Included will be issues related to employment, job training, job placement, legal issues and related benefits, family support for the growing number of homeless families, SSI and related federal benefits, and transportation (local).

Members of the CFCH will be recommended/appointed by the participating jurisdictions based upon their local process.  It is recommended that this commission have a broad appeal with representatives from many different stakeholders.  Examples of the identified demographic groups are: business, faith-based organizations, healthcare, related social service agencies, law enforcement/ public safety, legal associations, philanthropic groups, local public schools, homeless advocate groups, university/community colleges, related governmental agencies (i.e., Florida DCF, U.S. Department of Labor), and affordable housing developers.  In addition, the commission should represent the demographic profile of our community by sex, race, and socio-economic balance.

The chair of the commission will be jointly selected by the elected chairs of the participating jurisdictions and should be a highly visible community leader with good organizational skills.  A background in local government, knowledge of the financial issues, as well as a deep understanding of the complexities of serving this special-needs population will also be sought.

The CFCH will require support staffing to keep that process moving ahead while creating an atmosphere that will help volunteers understand the issues surrounding homelessness and helping create a comprehensive report for all jurisdictions.  It is recommended, in following the lead of the Orange County Consolidation Commission, that a “Program Coordinator” be recruited and funded through the joint cooperation of all participating jurisdictions.  While the complete job description is yet to be completed and a budget for this position is still being studied, this person would oversee the process of the entire commission.  The Program Coordinator would be responsible for additional research of designated issues, oversight of the meetings, working closely with the General Chair and Committee Chairs, and facilitating the commission as needed.  It is suggested that an office be provided along with minimal temporary staff support.

As part of an in-kind contribution, each of the four jurisdictions (Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, and the City of Orlando) will be asked to provide the necessary staff support to one of the committees.  Then the staff representatives from each committee will meet regularly with the Program Coordinator to determine scheduling and what support is required to keep the process moving toward conclusion.