GPEC

I received a callback from an organization called the Greater Phoenix Economic Council regarding an internship opening. Since they are only looking for a part time intern right now, I will be able to start next week. I am very excited about this internship as it is a very good opportunity to learn about economic strategies to attract new businesses to the area. The organization, which receives have of its funding from private business partners, works together with municipalities and the county to determine policies and a regional economic plan to attract companies that have an interest in opening up operations in Phoenix.

A little about GPEC:

GPEC Services

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) provides companies with confidential, expert support in streamlining site searches, connectivity to decision-makers and access to world-class talent to deliver innovative solutions. GPEC's customized tools and business development professionals are ready to demonstrate how this region can improve the bottom line.

Operational Cost Analysis	Economic Impact Analysis
MetroComp Analysis Examine annual operating cost comparisons (i.e. labor wages, taxes and utilities) prospect specific for major U.S. and Canadian markets.	Discuss project's economic impact and community benefit. Understand the projected economic contribution to the community and region to help encourage a competitive business assistance package.
Regional Economic Labor Market Data HR/Employment Assistance	Connectivity to Key Resources
Obtain current wage rates, labor force and skill levels based on occupation and industry. Research shipping costs, housing affordability and demographics. Connect with local employers for HR manager interviews.	Connect to key assets, universities and community colleges. Coordinate with state and local regulatory authorities. Benefit from job-training programs. Access business start-up resources.
<90-Day Certified Permitting & Shovel Ready
Reduce design/permit review times for qualified projects. Take advantage of real-time turnkey real estate solutions.] Wish me luck! -Nick

DV Press Conference

During October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we celebrate the lives saved and focus on the work remaining to be done. Some of you might have heard about last week's Domestic Violence Awareness Press Conference. The press conference was organized by MAG and included an audience of leaders, service providers, and domestic violence survivers. The keynote speaker, a young mother of three and DV surviver, told a moving story about her ordeals and the struggles she went through to overcome DV. The event was held at the Crysalis Shelter for Domestic Violence. More information about the conference and upcoming events can be found at http://www.azmag.gov/Human_Services/.

Last week, I also had the priveledge of hearing Frank Migali of the AZ Department of Education speak about McKinney-Vento Title 7. This portion of the act describes the educational rights for children that are considered homeless by definition. McKinney-Vento defines homelessness as:

(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and
(B) includes--

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C));
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

According to Mr. Migali, there are over 30,000 students that fall under this definition of homelessness in Arizona alone. More information about solutions can be found at The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) website, http://www.naehcy.org/.

I will continue to post information regarding projects and events organized by MAG and other service providers around the city. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at nlanza@azmag.gov. Thank you for reading!


Nick

Long Week!

This week was a long one. I started out the week by giving a presentation at the Continuum of Care Committee on Homeless meeting. I spoke about the Brown Bag sessions I have organized for the upcoming year. I have schedule several sessions from now until December, including topics such as: 

Education Rights for Homesless Service Providers (McKinney-Vento Title 7) with Frank Migali, AZ Dep. of Education

Non-Profit Advertising Through Social Media Outlets with Matthew O'Brien, Mint Social Media Group

Financial Management for Social Workers with Sulie Richardson, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union 

National Alliance on Mental Health with Bill Kennard, Executive Director of NAMI

Navigating the Behavioral Health System with Chris Gallagher and Brenda Robbins, AZ Dep. of Health Services

Domestic Violence Awareness in the Homeless Community with the AZ Coalition Against Domestic Violence

I was also assigned with the task of finishing the Domestic Violence Arrest Protocols Summary Report, which summarizes the project that we have been working so hard on. The report includes information about protocols and procedures from every police department in the valley for domestic violence cases in an attempt to compare and contrast them to one another. In addition to this work, I had the assignment of organizing the 2011 Homeless Street Count orientation session. The Street Count is approaching fast and much work needs to be done still. All of these tasks that we are frantically trying to complete before the month's end are in preparation for the long and strenuous McKinney-Vento funding application. Before we submit this application, we must complete the goals and tasks of the year listed in MAG's 5 Year Regional Plan to End Homelessness. By completing these goals effectively, we are putting ourselves in a better position to receive more funding than last year's $23.5 million worth of assistance. 

If you have any questions or comments about any of the information sessions or the Street Count, please feel free to contact me at nlanza@azmag.gov. 

Thank you,

Nick