Call For Presentations for March 2024 Conference in San Francisco

The National Alliance to End Homelessness (Alliance) is excited to again offer a Call for Presentations for its upcoming 2024 Innovations and Solutions for Ending Unsheltered Homelessness in San Francisco, CA from March 4–6, 2024. Content for this conference will be sourced from Alliance staff and submitted by experts in the field.


General Information

In an effort to foster increased input and collaboration from field partners, the Alliance is accepting presentation proposals for three session formats: Innovations Sessions, Spotlight Sessions, and Transformation Talks. All content for the Transformation Talks will be entirely sourced from submitted proposals, and a select amount of the Innovation and Spotlight Sessions will be selected from submitted proposals. Please see below for detailed descriptions of each session format.

This conference will focus on the innovative and creative ways that all members of the homelessness system can foster connections and explore collaborative partnerships, leverage new resources, and implement best practices to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness.

In requesting submissions at its conference, the Alliance seeks to highlight a diverse range of voices and perspectives. Submissions are open to anyone with skill, background, knowledge, or expertise relevant to ending homelessness. Speakers with lived expertise of homelessness, and speakers presenting research & data, are especially encouraged to submit proposals.

General conference registration will open October 2023. Parties interested in both speaking at and attending the conference should plan to submit their proposals now, and formally register once registration is available. Selected presenters for Innovation and Spotlight Sessions will receive complimentary conference registration; those who have already registered will be reimbursed for their registration fee upon conclusion of the event. Selected presenters for Transformation Talks will receive half-off their conference registration fees. Additional registration slots will not be held for submitting presenters who are not selected.

Submission Overview


The Alliance encourages submissions from people working across all roles in the homeless service sector, including systems leaders, frontline workers, advocates, people with lived experience of homelessness, researchers, and others. The Alliance specifically encourages researchers to consider opportunities to share new and emerging research.

All proposals must fall within at least one of the conference’s core categories:


Helping Unsheltered People Stay Safe

Examples of proposal topics could include:

  • alternative crisis response strategies;
  • combatting criminalization and dislocation policies;
  • delivery of health and mental health services;
  • meeting people’s basic needs (water, food, bathrooms, and protection from elements);
  • strategies to reduce substance use connected fatalities;
  • engaging encampment residents in encampment resolution efforts;
  • communication and social media strategies to change the narrative;
  • bringing cultural humility to the work;
  • unsheltered, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and living with a disability: disparate danger of victimization and policing;
  • understanding how policy choices can exacerbate unsheltered homelessness and dangers to people experiencing it;
  • and the role of outreach in promoting safety of unsheltered populations.

Improving Shelter (and Alternative to Shelter) Responses

Examples of proposal topics could include:

  • research on outcomes and economics of shelter vs. housing provision;
  • what we learned about benefits/challenges of motels to meet need for non-congregate shelter;
  • embedding housing-focused support within shelters; lowering barriers to shelter;
  • what it takes and how to fund the move to a 24/7 shelter provision model;
  • assessing outdated and harmful shelter policies;
  • designing shelter that people want;
  • acknowledging and dismantling the racial divide:
  • when white leaders set policies and expectations that largely impact BIPOC workers and clients;
  • addressing the role of libraries and other public spaces functioning as day shelter;
  • adapting shelter facilities and programming to accommodate older adults;
  • assessing shelters’ performance in providing affirming and equitable care;
  • exploring data to advance equity: who is left out of shelter provision, who is experiencing disparate involuntary exits, and what to do about it?

Accessing Housing and Rapidly Connecting People to Housing

Examples of proposal topics could include:

  • working with public housing agencies and affordable housing developers to access housing resources and units;
  • expediting the process to get people “document ready” and in to housing; problem-solving as a re-housing tool;
  • examining outcome data to identify biases and disparities in housing placement and retention;
  • building the case for more housing investment with state and local leaders;
  • becoming a housing developer: what it takes;
  • lessons in unit development and renovation from Project Home Key sites;
  • promoting choice not segregation: adopting equity lens in housing identification and placement;
  • how state and localities are expanding housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness;
  • understanding the senior housing services system; housing navigation; recruiting and sustaining landlord partnerships;
  • and expediting access to housing through flexible financial assistance.

Building and Supporting Robust and Effective Services

Examples of proposal topics could include:

  • efficacy of outreach and case management models;
  • role and impact of peer support workers;
  • building and supporting a harm reduction practice orientation;
  • assessing workforce capacity needs to promote quality service provision;
  • workforce development;
  • advancing equity in staff recruiting, hiring, retention, and advancement;
  • identifying and excavating biases to improve client engagement;
  • improving wages and work conditions for frontline workers;
  • understanding additional toll or racial trauma on people experiencing homelessness and BIPOC staff;
  • identifying service gaps and creating expertise/connections to meet full array of people’s support needs;
  • contracting with culturally specific programs to reach historically under-served populations;
  • funding strategies to meet staffing needs;
  • and benefits and challenges of leveraging Medicaid funding to augment staff.

Advancing Equity and Justice Across Your System

Examples of proposal topics could include:

  • dislodging paternalism and control in your programs and systems;
  • identifying and challenging violations to the Fair Housing Act and Equal Access Rule;
  • assessing for equitable access AND outcomes across program and system services;
  • identifying who is left unserved in coordinated entry/assessment processes and how to rectify disparate access;
  • bringing BIPOC voices to white leadership – creating pathways to change not risk;
  • building equity within your organization;
  • building advocacy capacity and opportunities for people with lived experience;
  • building and retaining diverse organizational and board leadership;
  • dismantling disparate access to decision-making forums (or the room where it happens!);
  • and building welcoming, affirming and effective interventions for populations traditionally underserved by homeless shelter programs – including transgender individuals.

Requirements for Presenters


  • In-Person Presentations: All presentations must occur in person at the event. Proposals for virtual presentations will not be accepted for this conference.
  • Non-Federal Affiliation: Please note: HUD staff, HUD TA providers, and USICH staff are not eligible to apply to submit a presentation proposal.
  • TA providers not funded by HUD are eligible.
Proposal Submissions

Submission Guidelines


  • All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Alliance conference website on or before the deadline date of October 9.
  • Only a complete submission is eligible for review. Be sure to follow all directions before you submit.
  • Presentations should not serve as a platform for promotion of an individual, organization, or project. Preference will be given to proposals that reflect a variety of perspectives on a core topic and/or lead to innovative solutions to ending homelessness.
  • Each presentation has a limited number of speakers per session. Each Innovation Session should have between two and three presenters, each Spotlight Session should have no more than two presenters, and each Transformation Talk should only have one presenter.
  • All submissions must identify a primary presenter. Primary presenter is allowed a maximum of one (1) proposal submission per conference. If more than one (1) proposal is submitted per primary presenter, only the first submission will be reviewed and eligible for acceptance.
  • The individual submitting the proposal (author) will be the point of contact for all communication with the Alliance conference planning committee. If this person is also a presenter, their information must be provided during Step 4 (“Presenter Information”) during the submission process.
  • A proposal may only be submitted under one presentation type (i.e., Innovation Session, Spotlight Session, Transformation Talk).
  • An organization may submit multiple presentations. However, an individual presenter is only eligible to speak at one session through the Call for Presentations process. Presenters that are speaking on an approved proposal are still eligible to speak at Alliance-led sessions, should they be recruited by Alliance staff to do so.

Proposal submissions that are incomplete after the submission deadline will not be eligible for presentation, nor will they be considered for review. Be sure to complete all steps to ensure your proposal has been fully submitted.

A laptop and LCD projector will be provided for all sessions. If you need additional AV or session supplies, please note that in your proposal.

To submit your proposal, please read through each session type and submission guidelines below, and submit through the button at the bottom of this page.

Proposals are due by Monday, October 9, 2023, at 5:00 P.M. PT/8:00 P.M. ET. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

A confirmation email will automatically be sent to the email provided for the individual submitting the presentation once the proposal has been fully submitted. This individual will be notified during the week of October 23 on whether or not their submission has been selected.

Session Types and Submission Criteria

Audience


For all session types, authors must select their target audience for the presentation. Target audiences include: frontline providers, people w/lived expertise, program leaders, system leaders, policy advocates, policy administrators, and researchers.

Innovation Session


A 75-minute session intended to engage participants in an interactive discussion or activity around a new or pressing issue. This session is designed to maximize the opportunity for session participants to engage in discussion, as opposed to just listening to speakers present on a specific topic.

Structure:

Innovation sessions should be limited to two to three speaker(s). Speakers are expected to lead discussions by inviting comments and questions from those around the room. Innovation sessions can be designed as a fishbowl, campfire, or other type of facilitated discussion.

Goals:

  • Create an atmosphere where attendees are encouraged to discuss new or pressing issue(s) in the field.
  • Encourage collaboration and brainstorming of solutions to issues.
  • Help others to learn about innovative and/or creative things happening in other communities.

Submission Criteria:

Innovation Session submissions shall not exceed the character limit of each section overall and must include:
 

  • Session title (no more than 75 characters)
  • Session description (no more than 500 characters)
  • Additional session presenter(s) information
  • Three learning objectives for session (500 characters per objective)
  • Brief description of proposed session format. Preference will be given to proposals that reflect specific methods for ensuring an interactive experience, beyond simply including time for questions and answers (no more than 750 characters)
  • Brief description of what findings or lessons learned will be presented. If relevant, include summary recommendations for others who may be considering a similar approach. (no more than 750 characters)

Spotlight Session


The spotlight sessions are 45 –minutes long, intended to provide program participants with a more detailed examination of a particular nuanced concept or community example. It is designed to maximize the amount of time the conference participants have for asking detailed questions. It is important that the speaker(s) in the Spotlight Session be strong and engaging public speakers.

Structure:

A Spotlight Session is limited to one to two speaker(s). The speaker(s) should plan their presentations to allow for 20-25 minutes of extended Q&A. They may choose to give a 15–20 minute presentation followed by extended Q&A, or they may choose a longer presentation that encourages Q&A throughout.

Goals:

  • Allow speakers more time to explain a topic in more detail and engage attendees in discussions.
  • Educate attendees on new tools and resources.
  • Increase collaboration and discussion on certain topics.

Submission Criteria:

Spotlight Session submissions shall not exceed the character limit of each section of each section overall and must include:
 

  • Session title (no more than 75 characters)
  • Session description (no more than 500 characters)
  • Additional session presenter information (if applicable)
  • Three learning objectives for session (500 characters per objective)
  • Brief description of proposed session format. Preference will be given to proposals that reflect specific methods for ensuring an interactive experience, beyond simply including time for questions and answers (no more than 750 characters)
  • Brief description of what findings or lessons learned will be presented. If relevant, include summary recommendations for others who may be considering a similar approach. (no more than 750 characters)

Transformation Talks


Transformation Talks are 10-minute presentations, modeled on TED Talks, intended to engage conference participants on a single idea or new development. Presented in concise, focused presentations, Transformation Talks feature one speaker per topic covering distinct points of view.

Structure:

Transformation Talks feature multiple speakers, each providing a brief presentation (no more than 10 minutes) on one specific topic or transformative idea, presented from their point of view. Speakers are encouraged to use audio and visual aids in their presentations. Presentations are scheduled back-to-back and do not include time for Q&A.

Submission Criteria:

Transformation Talk submissions shall not exceed the character limit of each section of each section overall and must include:
 

  • Title for talk (no more than 75 characters)
  • Talk description (no more than 500 characters)
  • The Learning Objectives, Session Format, Findings and Lessons Learned fields in the application are not required for Transformation Talks.

To submit your proposal, click on the button below. Proposals are due by Monday, October 9, 2023, at 5:00 P.M. PT/8:00 P.M. ET. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Selection Process

Criteria


The Alliance will conduct a review of proposals using a cross-functional team of staff and stakeholders. The team will consider these criteria in evaluating and choosing abstracts to be presented at the conference:

  • Meets all submission criteria
  • Addresses one of the subject topics listed
  • Shows an innovative approach or solution
  • Submitted in a timely manner

All proposals are due by Monday, October 9, 2023, by 5:00 P.M. PT/8:00 PM ET. Members of the Alliance conference planning committee will select submissions for presentation. All points of contact (those who submit the proposal) will be notified of application status between October 23 – 27, 2023, via email.

If your proposal is accepted, the Alliance reserves the right to make changes to the recommended presenters, program, and materials. Proposals that are similar in subject matter may be accepted and merged at the discretion of the Alliance.

Important Dates


ACTIVITY DATE
Call for Presentations Announcement September 1, 2023
Submission Deadline October 9, 2023
Committee Review Timeline October 10 – 23, 2023
Notification of Selection Week of October 23, 2023
Outlines Due February 5, 2024
Final Materials Due, including Speaker Details form February 20, 2024
Conference Presentation Days March 4 – 6, 2024
Materials

All selected presenters will be required to:

  • Submit an outline of your presentation to conference@naeh.org no later than February 5, 2024 confirming presentation content.
  • Submit all final presentation materials (slides, handouts, etc.) to conference planning team by February 20, 2024.
  • Complete and submit a speaker details form.
Expenses and Registration

If a proposal is selected:

  • Selected presenters for Innovation and Spotlight Sessions will receive complimentary conference registration. This registration is reserved for the presenter only and is nontransferable. Individuals who have already registered will be reimbursed for their registration fee upon conclusion of the event.
  • Selected presenters for Transformation Talks will receive half-off their conference registration fee. Individuals who have already registered will be reimbursed half of their registration fee upon conclusion of the event.
  • Additional registration slots will not be held for submitting presenters who are not selected.
  • If you are a person with lived expertise of homelessness, and you will require travel assistance to participate, please check the appropriate box on the application.
  • All presenters are expected to be available for all conference dates (March 4 – 6, 2024) in order to facilitate session scheduling.
  • Presenters are responsible for their own conference-related expenses, including but not limited to travel, lodging accommodations, and meals outside of ones provided during the conference. However, the Alliance has a limited budget to support participation of presenters with lived expertise of homelessness.

Please direct any questions to conference@naeh.org.