Media Advisory

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Friday, December 14, 2012

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media representatives can accompany county staff for a field count in Central County the day of the count. Call 925-313-6832 to make arrangements.

What:

Contra Costa County’s biennial homeless count, which helps our community assess needs and secure vital state and federal funds, is in search of volunteers. A new web-based form makes it easy for people to sign up for the count. On January 30, hundreds of volunteers will meet at 6 a.m. for a 30-minute orientation before fanning out across the county in cars to tally homeless persons. To volunteer, email homelessprogram@hsd.cccounty.us, fill out the web-based form at http://cchealth.org/services/homeless/ or call 925-313-6124.

Who:

Volunteers are needed from East, West and Central County, and must be at least 18 years old. Volunteers are required to attend a one-hour training session one week before the count.

Why:

More than 7,000 homeless persons, many of whom are children, rely on services provided by the Homeless Program of Contra Costa Health Services and other community-based organizations. The point-in-time count gives service providers baseline data to better understand the scope of homelessness so more effective responses can be developed to meet the need.

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