Collaborative Solutions Podcast

In this episode of Collaborative Solutions, hosts Barry Feaker, Misty Bosch-Hastings, and Brett Hartford welcome and Renee Cavazos, Vice President of Homeless Response Systems in Houston, Texas. Renee shares how Houston has successfully reduced homelessness by 63% since 2011 through a coordinated entry system and regional collaboration with neighboring counties. The conversation explores how Lawrence and other Kansas communities can learn from Houston’s model, highlighting the importance of outreach, data-driven strategies, and strong partnerships to create long-term solutions for homelessness.

In this episode of Collaborative Solutions, hosts Barry Feaker, Misty Bosch-Hastings, James Chiselom, and Brett Hartford explore Lawrence/Douglas County’s approach to prioritizing services for Douglas County residents, the challenges of homelessness policies, and the reality of individuals being dropped off from other areas. The discussion also considers whether a regional approach could be a viable strategy, examining how collaboration between communities, agencies, and housing resources might lead to more sustainable outcomes. The guests reflect on lessons learned, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the potential for broader systemic solutions. The episode underscores the urgency of action, the necessity of relationship-building, and the belief that homelessness in Kansas can be solved with the right systems in place.

Barry Feaker and Misty Bosch-Hastings welcome Homeless Response Team members Dustin Moore from Artists Helping the Homeless and Steven Carter with the City of Lawrence to discuss the ongoing efforts to support unsheltered individuals, particularly during extreme winter weather. They dive into the impact of warming centers, emergency shelter expansion, and the unprecedented 66% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in Lawrence over the past year. The conversation highlights trust-building, individualized support, and collaboration across multiple agencies to remove barriers and help people transition into housing and stability.

In this powerful episode of Collaborative Solutions, hosts Barry Feaker, Misty Bosch-Hastings, and Brett Hartford sit down with Megan Poindexter, Executive Director of the Senior Resource Center of Douglas County, to explore the vital work being done to support older adults in our community. As Lawrence and Douglas County prepare for a future where seniors will make up a significant portion of the homeless population, Megan sheds light on the essential resources, housing challenges, and systemic gaps that must be addressed to prevent a crisis. Join us for this eye-opening conversation about aging, resilience, and the path forward to creating a place for everyone in Lawrence.

On this episode of Collaborative Solutions, co-hosts Misty Bosch-Hastings and Barry Feaker sit down with Kelby Sanders, a peer, clinician, and outreach advocate with Mirror, Inc. Kelby shares his journey from lived experience to professional support, discussing the importance of meeting people where they are and removing barriers to recovery. He highlights the unprecedented approach of conducting Substance Use Disorder (SUD) assessments in the field, a groundbreaking model that ensures immediate access to care for individuals who might not otherwise seek help. The Homeless Response Team’s innovative approach is reshaping outreach by integrating harm reduction, mental health support, and real-time interventions in ways that have never been done before. Tune in to hear how this transformative work is making a tangible impact on homelessness, recovery, and community collaboration in Lawrence.