VIRGINIA BALANCE OF STATE CONTINUUM OF CARE

Contact:

Dr. Darl Wilburn

hsnh@dhcd.virginia.gov

(804) 877-6854

The Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC) is comprised of 12 local planning groups (LPG) that span from the most eastern point to the most western point of the state – over 500 miles. DHCD serves as the lead agency and works to ensure the BoS CoC aligns with state and federal regulations and goals to end homelessness.

The mission of the BoS CoC is to create an “emergency response system” to permanently house and stabilize homeless and imminently homeless households. This work is accomplished through a collaborative and inclusive community process, and management of resources and services that effectively and efficiently end homelessness in all localities that make up the BoS CoC.

BoS CoC Steering Committee

The leadership of the Virginia Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) is governed by an elected steering committee. The steering committee guides and oversees the BoS CoC to carry out the duties HUD has determined as necessary in operating a Continuum of Care:

Measure CoC performance
Develop and adhere to operating standards
Establish and operate a Coordinated Entry System
Address the needs of individuals and families fleeing domestic, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking
Designate a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Plan and coordinate a structure to identify the needs and address the gaps across the entire BoS CoC geography

Documents

System Policies and Procedures

The BoS CoC has policies and standards that govern the work of each LPG. These policies and standards are designed to ensure consistency, fairness and transparency remain in the forefront when service provision is conducted across the BoS CoC. As required by HUD, these policies and standards were developed collectively by the BoS CoC and approved by the Steering Committee.

Coordinated Assessment

Coordinated assessment standardizes access and assessment across the Continuum of Care (CoC). An effective coordinated assessment process is critical to the BoS’ efforts to achieve state and federal goals to make homeless rare, brief and non-reoccurring. This best practice is a housing-focused approach targeted to helping households experiencing homelessness quickly regain stability in permanent housing and helps divert, where possible, households seeking homeless services from shelter – preventing new cases of homelessness.

VI- SPDAT Singles
- Singles VI-SPDAT Training video
VI-SPDAT Families
- Families VI-SPDAT Training video
VI-SPDAT Youth
Coordinated Entry Policies and Procedures
Balance of State Coordinated Assessment Points of Access

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

In 2021, the Virginia Balance of State was selected to participate in the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The program is a federal initiative to support selected communities as they develop and implement a coordinated community approach to prevent and end youth homelessness. The Virginia Balance of State targets the administration of YHDP in the Crater Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH) local planning group.