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WC CWF Homeless Advisory Committee Minutes - 09/15/2025 MINUTES OF THE CITY-COUNTY HOMELESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 Present: Steve Sparks, Chair § Committee Members CEO, Faith Mission § Dr. Louis Wilson, Vice-Chair § M.D., F.A.C.G. § Jeff Watts § Wichita County Commissioner Pct. 4 § Mark Beauchamp, § Wichita County Commissioner Pct. 1 § Austin Cobb § City Councilor At Large, City of Wichita Falls § Andy Martin § Associate Executive Director of Operations, § Helen Farabee Centers § Jeff Jenkins § City Manager, City of Wichita Falls § James McKechnie, Deputy City Manager § Additional Attendees Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney § Chief Manuel Borrego, WF Police Chief § Amy Fagan, Director of Health, WF-Wichita Co. § Public Health District Major Roman Leal, Corps Officer, Salvation Army § William Myers, Salvation Army § Glenda Thames, Salvation Army § Paige Lessor, Exec Legal Asst/Recording § Secretary § 1. Call to Order. Mr. James McKechnie called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. 2. Introductions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves. 3. Nomination and Appointment of Chair. • Chair Appointment: Dr. Louis Wilson nominated Steve Sparks to serve as Chair, praising his commitment, integrity, wisdom, and deep understanding of community issues. Dr. Wilson then made a motion to approve the nomination. Seconded by Commissioner Watts, with no public comment, the motion carried 7-0. Steve Sparks appointed as chair. City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 1 of 9 • Vice Chair Appointment: Commissioner Beauchamp nominated Dr. Wilson as Vice Chair. Commissioner Beauchamp then moved to approve the nomination. Seconded by Councilor Cobb, with no public comment, the motion carried 7-0. Dr. Louis Wilson appointed as Vice-Chair. 4. Discussion a. Committee Charge Chairman Sparks opened Item 4a regarding the committee charge. Mr. McKechnie explained that the original document prepared by Dr. Wilson had been heavily relied upon when drafting the related ordinances, noting that it was well-researched and provided strong foundational guidance. He suggested the board continue using that document—along with its included mission statement—as a guiding framework moving forward. Board members discussed the goals and objectives outlined in the document. Commissioner Watts clarified the distinction between the committee charge and the mission statement. Mr. Sparks emphasized that the mission statement should explicitly reflect the committee's focus on reducing unsheltered homelessness, noting that targeting individuals not served by any agency would help the task force make a meaningful impact. He further highlighted the interrelated action steps, such as improved communication among agencies and a community awareness campaign. Mr. McKechnie reviewed language from the ordinance and resolution he drafted, outlining duties such as identifying housing and service gaps, recommending strategies for coordination, researching best practices, advising on policy recommendations and grant opportunities, and identifying funding sources. Members reviewed the guiding framework for establishing the Committee. The Committee Charge includes: - Identifying service, housing, and resource gaps for the unhoused population. - Recommending strategies to improve coordination among service providers, nonprofits, law enforcement, and public health. - Promoting community education and outreach. - Advising on policy recommendations and funding opportunities. Members affirmed that the existing charge is comprehensive and should guide the Committee's direction. b. Consideration and Possible Adoption of the Mission Statement Councilor Cobb stated that a mission statement needed to be formally adopted and recommended slightly revising the existing statement to clearly apply it to the City—County Task Force. Dr. Wilson formally moved to adopt the revised mission statement: City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 2 of 9 "To serve the community of Wichita Falls and the County of Wichita by ethically reducing homelessness through citizen partnerships, innovative solutions, and effective actions." Seconded by Commissioner Watts, with no public comment, the motion carried 7-0. The mission statement was adopted. c. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Committee Action Steps The Committee reviewed six action steps proposed in the Citizens Addressing Homelessness report: 1. Increasing employment pathways for homeless individuals. 2. Raising public awareness through education. 3. Improving coordination across the continuum of care. 4. Streamlining access to services and housing. 5. Training and engaging volunteers and faith-based partners. 6. Ensuring ethical guiding principles. Two priorities were identified for immediate focus: - Community education and awareness, including public messaging. - Improved service integration and interagency communication, including better HMIS utilization. Community Education & Public Awareness Councilor Cobb emphasized that public education should be an early priority. Before organizing volunteers or launching complex initiatives, the community needs a clear understanding of: • What the task force is trying to accomplish • Available resources • Where individuals experiencing homelessness can go for help He suggested using: • Short educational videos created with the City's communications team • Facebook outreach • A clear"game plan"for consistent messaging Provider Networking & Information Sharing Several members noted significant gaps in communication among service providers. Commissioner Beauchamp said agencies often lack a unified network and struggle to coordinate. Mr. Sparks and Dr. Wilson reinforced that "navigation pathways" (action step#4) are a priority because: City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 3 of 9 • Providers use different systems • The current Continuum of Care (COC) is limited in scope • Better data sharing is essential to breaking down silos Dr. Wilson stressed that key stakeholders—law enforcement, healthcare, shelters, food banks, and mental health services—must be connected early. Discussion on the Continuum of Care (CO C) & HMIS Ms. Amy Fagan asked about the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Dr. Wilson explained: • The COC is federally required to operate an HMIS • The system is underutilized locally • It could be a powerful tool for reducing silos, if strengthened Mr. Sparks clarified: • The regional COC covers 16 rural counties • Nortex Regional Planning Commission is the lead agency • The COC is volunteer-run, with limited capacity • Ideally, broader representation (law enforcement, hospitals, mental health, etc.) should be included Major Leal noted that other communities use broader coalitions that include first responders to maintain communication channels. Separating Priority Items Mr. Andy Martin suggested splitting early priorities into at least two major areas: • Community Communications & Education • Service Integration & Coordination (including HMIS exploration) Dr. Wilson agreed and added a third priority: health care integration, noting that citizens need easy access to reliable information about available resources. Communications Plan & Next Steps Councilor Cobb, Mr. Jenkins, and Dr. Wilson proposed: • Creating a short introductory video to guide the public to resources • Using the QR code to link to the consolidated database • Coordinating with the City's communications team (Chris) • Reviewing resource lists before publishing them to ensure accuracy Amy Fagan informed the group that the LiveWellWichitaCounty.com website already contains a comprehensive resource database that includes: • Local food pantries • Health and wellness classes • Helen Farabee services City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 4 of 9 • Salvation Army resources • Faith Mission and other community providers • Additional local support programs across multiple categories (Eat Well, Play Well, Work Well) She noted that the database is currently undervalued and underused, but it is fully built out and easy to update. Her team can review and incorporate any additional resources identified by the task force. Ms. Fagan also said generating a QR code linking directly to the resource database is simple and that her team can assist with that process. Councilor Cobb suggested adding this topic to the agenda of an upcoming regional NorTex meeting attended by county judges and the mayor, so the task force could request support from that larger body. Since the regional board serves 16 counties and includes multiple voting members, he noted it should not be an issue to present the plan there, as improved communications would benefit all counties. Information Sharing Dr. Wilson stated that: • Multiple systems and models exist for information-sharing among agencies. • The Continuum of Care (COC) should be one option, not the only option. • A subgroup should be formed—possibly led by Mr. Sparks—to explore all viable systems and begin navigating complex issues such as: o How client information is shared o What data agencies are allowed to share o What agreements (business service agreements, MOUs) are required Mr. Martin added that any system must also address: • HIPAA restrictions • Substance-use confidentiality protections • Security concerns • Public trust(reassuring citizens their information will not be improperly shared) Importance of Information Sharing for Field Encounters Dr. Wilson and Mr. Sparks gave practical examples of why information-sharing matters: • First responders often encounter individuals in parks or public spaces who claim they are barred from shelters. • Sometimes those claims are false—but there is no mechanism for officers to verify. • A coordinated system could prevent misinformation and ensure people are directed to available services. Coordinated Entry City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 5 of 9 Major Roman Leal asked whether the community was using coordinated entry, the standard model for tracking homelessness service interactions nationwide. • Coordinated entry should allow agencies to check whether someone is barred from a shelter. • It depends on client consent for information-sharing. Dr. Wilson responded that while coordinated entry should be happening, in practice, "It is not being done the way it should be." HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Mr. Sparks noted: • The local HMIS (the WellSky system) is available free of charge to any agency in Wichita Falls. • Licenses are already paid for through a COC grant. • However, only one agency currently uses it—Faith Mission. Major Leal indicated: • His agency does not yet participate, but he intends to begin using HMIS or a similar tool soon. • He is also exploring SAHeIp, another communication and resource-sharing network. He expressed interest in partnering with Steve and joining the local HMIS system moving forward. Mr. Sparks welcomed him and thanked him for joining the effort. d. Discussion on Opportunities for Homelessness Healthcare Mr. Sparks introduced the topic, noting that health care for people experiencing homelessness is a significant service gap in Wichita Falls. He explained that individuals are often discharged from the hospital or ER with nowhere appropriate to recover, ending up in shelters or on the street, even when they would usually be discharged to a home with home health services. He emphasized the need for a respite option where people can safely recover for 3-6 weeks post- surgery or significant illness. Dr. Wilson presented a three-part concept he is very passionate about, based on models he and Mr. Sparks observed in Knoxville, Tennessee: 1. Medical Respite Unit • A small, dedicated unit (within or in partnership with a shelter such as Faith Mission) where recently hospitalized, unsheltered individuals can recover. • Beds and housing/operations would be provided by the shelter; health care services (nursing, wound care, PT/OT, supplies) would be provided by a home health agency or a combination of providers. • Intended to reduce unnecessary ER visits, hospital admissions, and ambulance calls, which are currently occurring "by the thousands" each year. City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 6 of 9 2. Street Medicine + Nurse Navigation • A mobile care team (provider plus nurse navigator or case manager) that goes directly into encampments and street locations. • Modeled after Knoxville's partnership with AMR; Dr. Wilson has already spoken with the local AMR regional director, who is interested in helping. • The goal is to: o Treat urgent issues in the field when appropriate. o Connect people to clinics or respite beds. o Reduce unnecessary ER use and connect unsheltered individuals into ongoing care. 3. Clinic Partnership • Instead of building a new clinic, the model would integrate existing local clinics: o Transition Clinic o County Indigent Health Care o Community Health Care Clinic • These clinics would coordinate with the respite and street medicine components as part of a unified "triangle" of care. Dr. Wilson noted that mental health and physical health are treated as one continuum in this model, and that many people experiencing homelessness have overlapping medical, mental health, and addiction recovery needs. Local Interest& Potential Partners • Dr. Wilson reported that United Regional's CEO (Corey Edmondson) is very interested in the model. • In Knoxville, Covenant Health funds the home nursing care at the rescue mission respite unit, spending about $400,000 per year and estimating $2 million per year in savings from reduced ER and inpatient utilization. • Locally, potential partners and resources mentioned by the committee include: o Faith Mission as a possible respite site (they have had such a concept on their agenda for about 10 years). o A county building becoming available next summer that might be suitable as a facility. o Community Health Care Clinic's new director, who is excited about this concept and has seen a similar model in Houston. • Possible involvement from Texas Tech University and other counties as additional resources. Questions, Challenges, and Implementation Issues Members raised several practical questions that will need to be worked out, including: • Employment & structure: o Who will employ nurse navigators? United Regional? The County? Another entity? o Who will staff and manage the respite unit 24/7? City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 7 of 9 • Logistics & funding: o Will AMR provide or help equip a van for street medicine? o What physical location will serve as the respite site? o How will ongoing funding be raised and sustained? • Care coordination: o How to ensure mental health professionals, addiction recovery providers, and medical staff all collaborate around the respite and street medicine program. Despite these challenges, Dr. Wilson emphasized that: • The model is doable. • It would represent a significant improvement in how the community cares for people experiencing homelessness who are medically fragile. • It could significantly reduce unnecessary emergency utilization and better coordinate recovery, treatment, and transitions to shelters or recovery programs. Committee Reaction & Leadership • Mr. Jenkins affirmed the need, sharing an example of encountering a recently discharged hospitalized individual in a park with no safe place to recover. • Commissioner Beauchamp mentioned a county building that may become available and suggested it as a potential facility. • Dr. Wilson noted strong interest and potential volunteer support from: o The County Medical Society o United Regional medical staff o Other medical and nursing professionals Dr. Wilson volunteered to lead this healthcare/respite initiative, and Mr. Sparks acknowledged that he has effectively already been leading it. The item concluded with general support and recognition that additional planning and conversations with partners will be necessary to advance the healthcare model. e. Discussion on Possible Public Awareness Campaign for Community at Large Mr. Sparks noted that the committee had already discussed this item earlier in the meeting. He thanked Councilor Cobb for taking the lead. Additionally, Mr. Sparks reviewed task assignments: • Public Awareness Campaign: Councilor Cobb will lead this effort and report progress at the next meeting. • Networking & Communication Improvements: Mr. Sparks and Mr. Martin will work together on improving provider communication and developing better networking strategies. • Healthcare / Medical Respite & Street Medicine Model: Dr. Wilson will lead the healthcare initiative and will identify someone to assist him; he will report back at the next meeting. City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 8 of 9 f. Citizens Addressing Homelessness — September 18, 2025 Mr. Sparks announced the upcoming Citizens Addressing Homelessness Summit: • Date: Thursday, September 18 • Time: 2:00 p.m. • Location: Transition Clinic (classroom in back) • The task force will be introduced at this meeting and will present: o The newly adopted mission statement o Initial priority action steps • Steve noted the previous summit drew about 50 citizens and expects strong engagement again. 5. Next Meeting Date. The Committee scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at the same location. 6. Adjournment. Mr. Sparks thanked all attendees for their participation and adjou =d the meeting at 5:00 p.m. iderfAi ALI Steve S+, ks, C 'it City-County Horn-less Advisory Committee City-County Homeless Advisory Committee 09/15/2025 Minutes Page 9 of 9