Committees

A significant part of the LA BOSCOC’s governance is carried out by its committees (including its subcommittees and working groups). While the Board is responsible for approving policies, procedures, and activities, committees are responsible for creating and proposing those policies, procedures, and activities.

Each committee has a general area of oversight; many committees also have specific responsibilities outlined in the Governance Charter.

Should I join a committee?

Yes! Joining a committee has two main benefits:

  • Committee members play a significant role in the LA BOSCOC's direction; if you have a policy or procedure you'd like to change or implement, you should join a committee!

  • To be considered in Good Standing, member organizations must have at least one staff person serve on at least one committee (or the Board). Only organizations in Good Standing can be certified by the LA BOSCOC to apply for CoC Program funds and several other funding sources. Click here for more information about Good Standing.

How to join a committee

All committees are open enrollment; any individual member, or any member organization's staff person, can join any committee at any time. (Exception: members of the Project Scoring Committee are appointed by the Board.)

To join a committee, simply email its Committee Chair (see below for a list), copying cpatterson@lhc.la.gov, and state which committee you’d like to join.

Committee list

Last updated April 15, 2024; does not include committees without open enrollment (i.e. the Scoring Committee, the Youth Action Board)

Coordinated entry Committee

Chair: Laura Martinez, Start Corporation | laura.martinez@startcorp.org

Oversees the Coordinated Entry System, which is responsible for how people experiencing homelessness are prioritized for and referred to housing and services

HMIS Committee

Chair: Rachel Veal, Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless | rveal@homelessinbr.org

Oversees the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), the statewide database for information about people experiencing homelessness

Membership and Rules Committee

Chair: Addie Duval, Start Corporation | addie@startcorp.org

Oversees policies and procedures for the CoC, including how the CoC votes and its membership criteria; also reviews all ethical issues

Written Standards committee

Chair: Erika Belvin, Volunteers of America of Greater Baton Rouge | ebelvin@voagbr.org

Oversees written standards for providing housing and services to people experiencing homelessness, including through the CoC Program and ESG

Youth Working Group

Chair: Tekoah Boatner, Youth Oasis | tboatner@youthoasis.org

Oversees delivery of housing and supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness

Domestic Violence Working Group

Chair: Paige Pellegrin, The Haven | Paige@havenhelps.org

Oversees delivery of housing and supportive services for people fleeing domestic violence

VeteraN Working Group

Chair: Charles “Carlos” Jean, Jr. | charles@midcityredevelopment.org

Oversees delivery of housing and supportive services for veterans experiencing homelessness

The Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care is dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Louisiana. We believe all people are entitled to safe, stable, and secure housing. We are committed to working with stakeholders across our geography, in different professional circles, and from every background to create a Louisiana in which no person lives in fear of homelessness.