Homeless Response System Components Overview
2025-02-19 09:30 - 16:00 UTC | Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, United States
The system to help people who are experiencing homelessness is complex. The projects and staff working within the homeless response system are supported by multiple federal and local funding sources that can be confusing. This session will define and clarify the homeless system terminology and jargon and provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the different components.
Presenters will also provide a high-level overview of the primary funding sources such as federal Continuum of Care (CoC) Program and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the local RI Consolidated Homeless Fund (CHF) and their allowable uses.
The training will begin promptly at 9:30 am with a lunch break from 12-1pm. Lunch will not be provided, so please bring your lunch or prepare to pick up lunch somewhere in the area.
Click Here to Register

Continuum of Care Structure: RI Continuum of Care System Planning and Operational Responsibilities Webinar
2025-03-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Target Audience: RI Continuum Care Board and members, system planners and funders, community stakeholders who interface with the homeless response system
Description: This session will provide an overview of the Rhode Island Continuum of Care (RICoC) system planning structure and the local responsibilities as they relate to the homeless response system. Attendees will learn about the CoC Board, general membership and committee structure so they may better understand how to connect with CoC staff and participate in annual activities for building and improving the homeless response system.
Trainers will review the federally designated operational responsibilities and tasks for the RICoC planning body that influence the group’s structure and resource allocation priorities. This knowledge will support agencies to understand the role of the RICoC Planning body in relationship to other State and funder level activity.
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
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Continuum of Care Program: Differences Between Program Administration Costs and Indirect Costs
2025-03-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Target Audience: Supervisory, Management and Fiscal office staff for all Continuum of Care Program project types. This would include current and future recipient and subrecipient agencies who are responsible for tracking expenses.
This session will provide an overview of two eligible costs, Project Administration and Indirect, within the Continuum of Care Program. This session builds on the information provided during the March 19th session that will cover all CoC Program eligible project types and eligible expenses. Presenters will cover the allowable Continuum of Care Program Project Administration Budget Line Item eligible costs and documentation requirements
Presenters will also provide an overview of federally allowed indirect costs and how they are applied to eligible Continuum of Care expenses. Attendees will learn the differences between the two costs and be able to work with their agency to determine how to apply the knowledge to their project implementation.
It is recommended that participants attend or view the recording of the March 19th session prior to this session.
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
Click Here to Register

Best practices in Person-Centered Housing Services
2025-04-02 09:30 - 16:30 | Paff Auditorium, 80 Washington Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903
This full-day onsite training, facilitated by C4 Innovations, will introduce participants to evidence-based and best practices specific to housing-focused case management services. The day will be broken out into five topics including trauma-informed care, how to have motivational conversations, harm reduction and housing first, property-owner engagement, and provider wellness.
This training will be facilitated by experienced trainers who aim to create a safe space for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles to gain the necessary skills to provide effective housing services to people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Rhode Island.
The training will begin promptly at 9:30 am with a lunch break from 12-1pm.
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Management Committee Meeting
2025-04-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-05 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-16 15:00 - 16:00 | RI
The meeting will be held at the main office of the Corporation, 44 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903, Conference Boardroom. The meeting can also be accessed by interested members of the public via telephone conference call.
Dial the meeting access number: 1-866-225-4944, then press #
Enter the conference ID number: 4011341, then press #

Credit Committee Meeting
2025-04-09 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-05-07 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-06-18 09:30 - 10:30 | RI

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP): Eligible project types, special activities, and YHDP specific requirements
2025-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
This session will provide an overview of the project types eligible for funding under the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) and operating in the RI CoC.
The webinar will also cover eligible expenses under each Special Activity approved by HUD for RI YHDP projects. Prior to joining the session, it may be helpful for participants to review their most recent CoC grant agreement(s) to confirm which Special Activities are applicable to their projects. This session will also cover eligible expenses under selected allowable Special Activities not currently utilized in the RI CoC that applicants might wish to consider seeking approval for.
In addition, the session will cover CoC requirements specific to YHDP projects, including special circumstances under which youth may meet homelessness requirements, age limitations, age documentation, and participant stipends.
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
Click Here to Register

Board of Commissioners Meeting
2025-04-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-05-15 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-06-26 09:30 - 10:30 | RI

Emergency Shelter Role within the Homeless Response System
2025-05-14 09:30 - 12:30 | Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, United States
Emergency shelter is a key component of a homeless response system, often being the first stop on a household’s journey back to housing.
This session will explore how shelters can respond to local systemic needs and provide attendees with practices to support a housing-focused orientation in shelter. Trainers will offer an interactive session to discuss shelter design, including policies, service approaches, and physical features that promote positive housing outcomes.
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Trauma-Informed Care: Leading with Inquisition
2025-05-16 11:30 - 13:00 | Virtual
Intended Audience: This training is designed for professionals across sectors- including but not limited to housing, behavioral health, healthcare, nonprofit, and public service – who are committed to creating equitable, supportive, and trauma-informed environments. It is suitable for practitioners at all levels who seek to deepen their understanding and application of trauma-informed and responsive care through a culturally attune and relational approach.
Description: In this interactive training, participants will explore the foundational principle and practical application of trauma-informed care through a lens of curiosity, compassion and systems-level awareness. Grounded in an ecological framework, this session highlights the importance of psychological safety, identity-centered trauma responses, and culturally responsive practices. Participants will examine the power of inquiry over assumptions-learning to approach individuals, teams, and communities with openness and intention. Use evidence-based tools and strategies, attendees will leave with tangible skills to foster safer environments, strengthen relational trust, and support trauma recovery across diverse settings.
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
Click Here to Register

Homeless Definition for CoC and ESG Projects
2025-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Intended Audience: Staff who refer to or determine eligibility for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Continuum of Care Program projects. This could include Supervisory, Management and Frontline staff of current and future recipient and subrecipient agencies who receive these funds. People who want to learn or refresh their knowledge about the federal homeless definition for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program or Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the corresponding documentation and recordkeeping requirements
Description: During this session, attendees will learn and become familiar with how the federal definition of homelessness applies to Continuum of Care (CoC) Program or Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) projects. The training will cover the four categories of the homeless definition and how to document the homeless status of households seeking assistance in projects funded through the CoC and ESG programs. Also, the session will provide an overview of the definition and documentation requirements for households experiencing chronic homelessness as it relates to the CoC Program.
While the general homeless definition applies to all applicants, for more special circumstances related to youth homelessness please attend or review the recording for the “Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP): Eligible project types, special activities, and YHDP-specific requirements” webinar on April 9, 2025.
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
Click Here to Register

Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) Deep Dive
2025-05-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Intended Audience: People with a basic understanding of Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) core components who would like to do a deeper dive into practices to implement those components to support RRH project participants. Prior to the training, a brief handout of basic terms and core components will be provided to registrants to support those who are newer to the RRH project design and would like to attend the session.
Description: Rapid Rehousing (RRH) projects are a key component of homeless response systems. Project design and resources may vary based on funding source(s) and target population(s). This session will focus on RRH best practices. The session will include a brief overview of the RRH project core components and quickly move deeper into implementation options for setting up housing identification practices, case management services and rent and move-in assistance.
Please note to learn more about specific RRH eligible costs and housing requirements there are two other trainings available. Please see recording of the March 2025 session “Continuum of Care: Eligible Project Types and Eligible Expenses” and attend the upcoming October 15th webinar “Housing Requirements within Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and Joint Transitional Housing/RRH (Joint TH/RRH)”
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
Click Here to Register

Outreach Services Role within Homeless Response System
2025-06-04 10:00 - 12:00
Street outreach is critical in supporting the survival and rehousing of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and thus plays a key role in the homeless response system.
This session will explore approaches to engaging individuals in housing while also supporting their most basic needs. Attendees will gain an understanding of street outreach’s role in the homeless response system and learn how street outreach teams can promote positive housing outcomes.
This event is being held virtually over Zoom.
Click Here to Register

Pipeline Committee Meeting
2025-06-09 10:00 - 11:00 | RI
The Pipeline Committee works to strengthen the RICoC’s collaboration and connection with other systems to increase non-CoC or ESG resource investment in housing and services for households in Rhode Island experiencing homelessness.
Contact Information:
Co-Chair – Michelle Brophy, brophy@bhddh.ri.gov
Co-Chair—Charlie Thomas-Davison, ThomasDavison@wdchoc.org
How to Join
Click here to join the meeting on Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 298 655 474 736
Passcode: [REDACTED]

HMIS and System Performance Measures Committee Meeting
2025-06-10 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-08 10:30 - 12:00 | RI
The HMIS Committee plays a key role in developing performance measures and goals to evaluate Rhode Island’s overall success in ending homelessness in the State using HUD guidance. The HMIS Committee creates and updates, as needed, a privacy plan, security plan, and data quality plan for the HMIS, as well as all other policies and procedures required by regulations and notices issued by HUD.
Contact Information:

Chair – Eric Hirsch – ehirsch@providence.edu
Staff, RICEH (HMIS Lead) – Maria Vargas – mvargas@rihomeless.org

How to Join
Click here to join the meeting over Zoom
US Meeting ID: 819 0726 9719

Keys to Effective Low Barrier Emergency Shelter
2025-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
This session will focus on effective practices to low barrier shelter and the important role low barrier shelters play in reducing unsheltered homelessness. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about examples of low barrier shelters from other communities and explore their capacity to implement similar practices in the community.

Click Here to Register

Coordinated Entry Implementation Committee Meeting
2025-06-11 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:30 | RI
The Coordinated Entry Implementation Committee collaborates with the Collaborative Applicant, HMIS Lead, CES Lead, and service providers to solicit feedback from stakeholders on the RI Statewide Coordinated Entry System (CES). The committee also monitors key performance indicators of the CE system and recommends actions to support its implementation, refinement, and ongoing performance.

Co-Chair—RICoC Board member, Michelle Taylor, mtaylor@communitycareri.org
Co-Chair—Benjamin Darby, darby@wdchoc.org
Staff, RICEH (CES Lead) – Jennifer Barrera, jennifer@rihomeless.org

How to Join Meeting
Click here to join the meeting over Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84722174350
Meeting ID: 847 2217 4350

Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow
2025-06-12 11:30 - 13:00 | Virtual
Intended audience: Anyone who works in the homeless response system to attend, particularly anyone providing direct services with clients, and their supervisors.
Description: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is “a particular way of talking with people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment.” This 90-minute webcast will provide an overview of the core concepts and key ingredients of MI as they apply to providing housing and support services.
The training will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
Click Here to Register

Constituent Advisory Committee Meeting
2025-06-20 12:00 - 13:00 | RI
The Constituent Advisory Committee consists of representatives who have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability. The committee provides feedback and policy recommendations to the CoC to ensure that those with lived experience are fully integrated into the formal decision-making structure.
To join, please request the link to the virtual meeting from the RICoC Planning Staff.
Contact Information: Staff, RICEH – Lindsay Cutler, lindsay@rihomeless.org

Recipient Approval and Evaluation Committee
2025-06-23 14:30 - 16:00 | RI
The Funding Committee works with the Collaborative Applicant to design and implement a consolidated application process for Rhode Island programs and projects seeking Continuum of Care funding. The Committee reviews and evaluates the performance of recipients of CoC funding and recommends actions to be taken against poor performers. The Committee also develops and oversees the operation of grievance procedures for agencies related to RICoC funding decisions, including grievances of agencies whose applications for funding have not been approved by the RICoC.
Contact Information: CoC Planning Staff

Sarah Saint Laurent, CoC Coordinator, ssaintlaurent@rihousing.com
Rosa Felix-Pichardo, CoC Planner, rfelix-pichardo@rihousing.com

How to Join
Request the meeting link from RICoC Planning Staff.

Governance Committee Meeting
2025-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | RI
The Governance Committee monitors the RICoC governance structure and evaluates how well it supports the RICoC’s work. This committee recommends changes to the governance structure when needed and outlines how the RICoC Governance Charter needs to be edited to reflect their recommendations. The committee also oversees elections for the Board of Directors.
Contact Information: Chair – Michelle Wilcox, mwilcox@crossroadsri.org
How to Join
Click here to join the meeting over Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 238 770 785 548
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Equity Committee Meeting
2025-07-07 10:00 - 11:00 | RI
The Equity Committee recognizes that people served by CoC programs have different starting points and needs. Some people need more or different resources and support than others. This committee develops resources, policies, and procedures to support the RICOC, its programs, and its recipient agencies in meeting the needs of all people they serve.
Contact Information:

Co-Chair – Kelly Henry, khenry@sojournerri.org
Co-Chair – Faith Bessette, fbessette@sojournerri.org

How to Join
Click here to join the meeting over Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 287 476 486 089
Passcode: [REDACTED]
