Lived Experience Advisory & Planning (LEAP) Board Application

Objective
The Lived Experience Advisory and Planning (LEAP) Board is comprised of diverse people with lived experience of homelessness, with an emphasis on racial and ethnic diversity in its composition.

The purpose of the LEAP is to advise Sonoma County on homeless-related programs, policies and how to spend money targeted for homeless services. The LEAP will advise and plan with the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board and homeless service agencies how to improve homeless programs, services, shelters, and housing.

Eligibility
Candidates will be currently or formerly homeless and a Sonoma County resident.

Applicants with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodation will be made so that applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. If you seek accommodation, please email Andrew.Akufo@Sonoma-County.org.

How to Apply
Please complete the following questions. Applications for the LEAP Board are ongoing. Call 405-213-9957 for any questions.

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* 1. Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number (if available)

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* 2. Age?

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* 3. Sex

Male

Female

LGBTQ

Non Binary

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Race/Ethnicity?

White or Caucasian

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Asian or Asian American

American Indian or Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

Another race

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* 5. Are you bilingual?

Yes

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* 6. If so, what language do you speak? (disregard if no)

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* 7. Please choose level of language fluency (disregard if no)

Beginner

Intermediate

Fluent

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* 8. Are you a Sonoma County resident?

Yes

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* 9. Have you ever worked for a homeless service provider (paid by an agency with a government contract to provide homeless services)?

Yes

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* 10. If so, when and how long?

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* 11. Please tell us about your background to help us ensure diversity on the Board. Please only provide information you are comfortable sharing. Do your best to answer the questions below. We want to hear from you. An incomplete application does not bar you from consideration. Check all that apply.

Previously homeless

Currently homeless

Have you couch surfed?

Currently housed

Have you couch surfed?

Stayed in any adult-only shelters?

Stayed in any family shelters?

Stayed in your car or RV?

Slept outside/camped?

Other accommodation while unhoused?

Ever accompanied by children while experiencing homelessness?

If any of the above boxes have been checked, please tell us when you were homeless in each situation & for how long?

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* 12. Skills/Experience - Are you available to meet up to twice a month for 1.5 - 2 hours for LEAP meetings?

Yes

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* 13. Comfortable speaking at a public meeting?

Yes

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* 14. Do you have any experience serving on a board or committee?

Yes

If so, please describe role

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* 15. Chaired/facilitated meetings?

Yes

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* 16. Do you have any knowledge of Robert’s or Rosenberg’s Rules of Order or other formats?

Yes

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* 17. Would you be interested in holding a position on the Board? Please check all that apply:

Chair/President

Vice Chair/Vice President

Minute Taker

Timekeeper

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* 18. Do you have access to Zoom?

Yes

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* 19. Interests - Please check which topics you are most interested in addressing:

Shelter design and policies

Encampment sweeps

Safe parking

Tiny villages

More affordable housing units

Increasing number of vouchers

Emergency services and solutions for people outside

Other (please specify)

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* 20. Please check all Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Committees you are interested in learning more about/joining:

Homeless Coalition Board (CoC)

Funding and Evaluation

Coordinated Entry

Homeless Management Information System

Strategic Planning

Street Outreach Standards

Other (please specify)

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* 21. Please give some examples you have identified of hassles or barriers to becoming sheltered, housed, or obtaining needed services during your homeless experience. Can you share unique possible solutions you’ve thought of? (Examples: People outside need more shower access. Sheltered and unsheltered people need a desk with file storage from which to do the full-time desk work of getting out of homelessness.)

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* 22. Please give some examples of solutions you are passionate about

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* 23. Do you have any other education, work, skills, volunteer or life experiences you have to contribute, and would like to share with the LEAP Board?