HUD EnVision Center national convening in Louisville strategizes best practices and next steps

Ben DeMarzo, HUD Assistant Secretary for Field Policy and Management, providing opening remarks during the EnVision Center Strategy Session.

HUD's Field Policy and Management Division (FPM) recently held its EnVision Center (EVC) Strategy Session in Louisville, Kentucky where over 40 leaders of the initiative and partners from across the nation country gathered to discuss best practices and strategize next steps for HUD's EnVision Center Initiative working to empower those we mutually serve to fulfill their potential by providing the self-sufficiency tools needed to succeed in the four major pillars of economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness and character and leadership.

The agenda included visiting the Spring Hill EnVision Center (www.newsandtribune.com/news/spring-hill-envision-center-in-jeffersonville-receives-federal-designation/article_67fc3882-e948-11e9-946a-fbb64c2ddb0e.html) in Jeffersonville, Indiana and a walkthrough of the Family Scholar House EnVision Center in Louisville. During their transport to the Family Scholar House site, meeting attendees were also provided with a surprise tour of the Beecher Terrace Choice Neighborhood Development by representatives from the Louisville Metro Housing Authority (http://lmha1.org/).

"Field Policy and Management was proud to host the EnVision Center Strategy Session in Louisville, Kentucky," said Christopher Taylor, HUD FPM Director of Field Operations. "Together, we accomplished a lot toward improving our EnVision Center initiative."

The session also included a presentation from Anice Chenault, Public Housing Revitalization Specialist with the Office of Public and Indian Housing out stationed in the Louisville office, which covered topics important to EnVision Center sites such as Trauma Based Approach to Service Delivery, Innovative Partnerships, and HUD-Assisted Resident Coaching. Federal agencies such as Corporation for National and Community Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Census Bureau also provided information about federal grants and other programs that EVCs may utilize and discussed potential partnerships between the federal agencies to maximize the Secretary's EnVision Center Initiative.

"It was an honor to host FPM senior leadership from HUD Headquarters and EnVision Center Points-of-Contact from around the country," said Peter Jackson, HUD Kentucky Field Office Director. "My sincerest gratitude goes to the presenters from the federal agencies, leadership from the respective EnVision Centers, and our local housing authority partner for their assistance in making this a successful and productive meeting."

Find out more about HUD's EnVision Centers (/www.huduser.gov/portal/envisioncenters/home.html).

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