Preparations are underway in Pinal County for the point-in-time homeless count. The key to its success is the participating volunteers who conduct the count.

The count is an annual street count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in Pinal County during a given point in time. This count is part of an important national effort to identify the extent of homelessness throughout the country, according to a release.

The count includes a brief survey to identify the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the community. The Pinal County Coalition to End Homeless coordinates the point-in-time count each year with Suzanne Payan, Community Action Human Resources as the lead organizer.

To accomplish community goals and make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness, the LCEH needs to know who they are, where they are, and understand the factors that led to their homelessness.

The point-in-time count is scheduled to take place Jan. 25-30. Training will be provided to all volunteers prior to the count, where they will receive additional information and the survey questions for the count and assign volunteers to a specific area to count. Everyone must be trained in order to participate. The training is scheduled to take place 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the Casa Grande Police Facility, 373 E. Val Vista Blvd. in Casa Grande.

On the morning of the days of the count, volunteers will go to a specific assigned area to interview people experiencing homelessness and complete surveys. Volunteers are encouraged to conduct the count more than one day in the community.

The following individuals are coordinating the count in their communities. Contact them as soon as possible to volunteer. Volunteer leads for other areas are needed. They are Superior, Kearny, Tri-Community Area (Mammoth, San Manuel, Oracle), Maricopa, Hidden Valley and Stanfield.

Community leads are:

• Mary Allen, city of Casa Grande 520-421-8600, mkallen@casagrandeaz.gov
• Andrea Varela, RAZE AZ, Coolidge area 520-510-9416, andreavarela@raze.org
• Jon Vlaming, city of Eloy, 520-466-2578, jvlaming@eloyaz.gov
• Trinity Cole, Genesis, Apache Junction, 480-371-9117, trinity_cole@live.com
• Pam Kavathas, certified senior advisor, San Tan Area, 480-309-1577 pamkavathas@gmail.com
• Suzanne Payan, CAHRA, balance of county, 520-466-1112, spayan@cahra.org

With the information provided by the point-in-time count, the PCCEH and local communities can determine how best to address homelessness. The data gathered in the count can also be used to measure progress and advocate for additional resources.