2026
Homeless & Reentry Care and Solutions National Symposium
August 7, 2026
Advancing Solutions in Elder and Youth Homelessness, Workforce Development, Community Health, Substance Use Recovery, Peer Support, Tribal Behavioral Health, and Community-Based Care Systems
Location: California State University, Dominguez Hills | 1000 E Victoria St Carson, CA 90747
About The Event
Join us for a premier interdisciplinary symposium bringing together clinicians, nurses, social workers, CNAs, case managers, administrators, reentry professionals, justice-involved service providers, Community Health Workers, Substance Abuse Workers, peer support specialists, youth-serving organizations, Tribal/Native-serving providers, workforce partners, and community-based organizations.
Together, we will advance practical solutions in homelessness, housing stability, reentry support, elder and youth homelessness, behavioral health, substance use recovery, workforce development, and whole-person care, with Continuing Education (CE) credits available.
AGENDA
*Subject to change
Friday • August 7th
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Registration & Check-In
Location: CSU Dominguez Hills - Loker Student Union - Level II: Dominguez Ballroom Foyer
Join us for an early coffee networking morning at Loker Student Ballroom Foyer
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Opening Keynote: Data, Impact & The Future of Homeless Care
Location: CSU Dominguez Hills: Loker Student Union | LSU Dominguez Ballroom
9:20 AM - 10:20 AM | Opening Plenary Session
Opening Plenary by Dr. Ricardo Izurieta, MD DrPH MPH DTM&H, Chair School of Public Health and Health Sciences, California State University Dominguez Hills
Homelessness and Health Care
Panel: Mental Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Directions
Presented by: CSUDH School of Public Health and Health Sciences
Location: CSU Dominguez Hills: Loker Student Union | LSU Dominguez Ballroom
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM | Concurrent Sessions
Concurrent Sessions:
Administrative Track
Program Compliance & Funding | Grants
Presented by Ms. Kenya Renee' Gary, Ruth’s House Transitional Living for Women
Location: LSU Meeting Room 324
Clinical Track
Burnout Prevention, Boundaries & Resilience in Trauma-Informed Care
Presented by Dr. Tedman Cheung is the Senior Clinical Director at Amity Foundation
Location: LSU Meeting Room 325
Direct Care | Workforce Track
Before the Response: Turning Crisis Protocols into Daily Practice
Presented by Mrs. Amaris Osiris Amezquita Norice, Associate Program Director of DMH Program at Holliday’s Helping Hands
Location: LSU Alumni Association CR 322
Peer Support Track
Peer Support in Homelessness, Reentry & Recovery: Lived Experience as a Pathway to Stability
Presented by Pastor Troy F. Vaughn, President & CEO of Christ-Centered Ministries
Location: LSU Meeting Room 326
Reentry Support Track
Reentry Beyond Release: Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming (STOP): Treatment, Housing, and Reentry Services for CA Parolees
Presenters: Barry Lindstrom, Amity Foundation Vice President of Operations | Jason Edmonds, Whole Systems Learning | Clinton D Drummer, Executive Director/Prison Programs Director at Financial Liberation Training Academy | Dr. Katina Holliday, CEO Holliday’s Helping Hands
Location: LSU Meeting Room 327
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | Lunch & Networking
Networking Lunch
Location: CSU Dominguez Hills - Loker Student Union - Level II: Dominguez Ballroom Foyer
Grab & Go Lunch will be provided
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Concurrent Sessions:
Clinical | Nursing Track
Beyond the Chart: The Full Scope of Nursing Documentation
Presented by Philisha Polk, Nursing Supervisor at Serenity Recuperative Care
Location: LSU Meeting Room 325
Tribal Behavioral Health & Community Wellness Track
Healing-Centered Approaches to Substance Use, Trauma & Housing Instability in Native Communities
Location: LSU Meeting Room 326
Youth Homelessness & Workforce Track
From Crisis to Career: Workforce Pathways for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Location: LSU Meeting Room 327
Elder Care | Support Track
Aging, Dementia & Homelessness: Supporting Older Adults with Complex Care Needs
Location: LSU Alumni Association CR 322
Reentry Support Track
Navigating Substance Use Resources, Recovery Support & Referral Pathways in Los Angeles County
Presented by Jason Edmonds, Whole Systems Learning
Location: LSU Meeting Room 324
2:10 PM - 3:25 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Concurrent Sessions:
A.I. | Innovation Track
From Paper to Platform: AI in Homeless Services + HOPE System Overview
Presented by Joe Cunningham, Founder | DreamLogic Solutions LLC
Location: LSU Meeting Room 324
LIVE Case Study | Care Track
De-escalation & Crisis Response: Live Case Studies
Presenters: Dr. Katina Holliday, CEO Holliday’s Helping Hands | Rachelle McClendon-Alexander, Director of Training & Client Engagement | Brandon Wimberly, Director of Facilities
Location: LSU Alumni Association CR 322
Tribal Workforce & Economic Mobility Track
Native Workforce Pathways: Career Readiness, Education Planning & Economic Mobility
Location: LSU Meeting Room 326
Benefits & Systems Navigation Track
Keeping Benefits Active: Medi-Cal, CalAIM, Documentation & Continuity of Care
Location: LSU Meeting Room 327
Mental Health Workforce Track
Supporting the Supporters: Mental Health, Burnout & Secondary Trauma in Frontline Work.
Location: LSU Meeting Room 325
3:35 PM - 4:30 PM | Closing
Closing Keynote & Special Presentation, End of Event Remarks
Location: Loker Student Union: LSU Dominguez Ballroom
Keynote Speaker: Jamil Hardwick, Founder of Renewed Homeless Kids Charity, Entertainment Executive, Producer and Entrepreneur
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Networking Reception
Networking Reception
CSU Dominguez Hills - Loker Student Union - Level II: Dominguez Ballroom Foyer
*Exclusive access included with premium registration tiers
Training ProgramsBegin your work today.
What’s Included
Access to all symposium sessions
Full-day program participation
Evidence-based sessions and breakout tracks
Clinical, administrative, and wraparound service training
Opportunities to connect with professionals across healthcare, housing, and community systems
*LIMITED AVAILABILITY
What’s Included
Access to all symposium sessions
Continuing Education (CE) Certification (ANCC, ASWB, IACET )
Networking Lunch
Networking Reception
Evidence-based sessions and breakout tracks
Clinical, administrative, and wraparound service training
Opportunities to connect with professionals across healthcare, housing, and community systems
What’s Included
Access to all symposium sessions
Networking Lunch
Networking Reception
Evidence-based sessions and breakout tracks
Clinical, administrative, and wraparound service training
Opportunities to connect with professionals across healthcare, housing, and community systems
Homelessness beyond just the lack of housing
Key Trends & Data (Early 2026):
Scale: Over half a million people are officially recognized as experiencing homelessness on any given night.
"Shadow" Population: An estimated 4 million-plus people live in a "spectrum of insecurity," including cars, motels, or doubled-up with others, often not counted in official data.
Demographics: While 66.7% are single individuals, families are increasingly impacted, and homelessness among women has increased by over 12% since 2022.
Regional Trends: High rates of homelessness persist in California, with significant increases in Colorado (+85%) and California (+59%) in recent years, though some states (e.g., Connecticut) have seen decreases.
Causes and Factors:
Housing Costs: The primary driver is the lack of affordable housing, with only 35 affordable rentals available for every 100 extremely low-income households.
Economic Factors: A "stagnant" economy at the lower end, rising child care costs, and the end of pandemic-era federal relief funds have worsened the situation.
Health Crisis: The rise of severe addiction, particularly fentanyl, is creating a growing crisis in urban encampments.
Policy and Response:
LA Crisis: In Los Angeles, despite initiatives like Mayor Karen Bass's "Inside Safe," up to 40% of participants have returned to the street.
Federal Policy: Recent proposed federal budgets have suggested scaling back assistance, raising risks for people with disabilities and older adults in supportive housing.
Impact on Individuals:
Health: People experiencing homelessness die nearly 30 years younger than the average American, with dangers worsened by extreme weather.
Hidden Population: Millions are classified as "working homeless," unable to afford traditional housing and forced to live in cars.
There are currently two major contributors to the housing and homelessness crises: a lack of low cost housing nationwide and the limited scale of housing assistance programs. Nationally, the cost of rental housing greatly exceeds wages earned by low-income renter households.
22%
According to HUD data for January 2024, approximately 771,000 Americans experienced homelessness, representing a rate of about 22.7 people for every 10,000 in the population, a 18% increase from 2023. This marks a record high since reporting began, with significant concentrations of unsheltered individuals, particularly in California.
2026 SPEAKERS
INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS
Katina Holliday
FNP, Founder & CEO of Holliday’s Helping Hands
A leading visionary in California’s fight against the homeless crisis, founder and CEO of Holliday’s Helping Hands, Katina Holliday’s avant-garde approach to reducing homelessness has helped hundreds of families and individuals find traction in getting off the streets.
Starting in 2018 with one interim housing site and handful of staff, Katina knew from having seen the vicious cycle of homelessness up close that it would take more than a cot and a sandwich to make a sustainable difference. Determined to create a path toward permanent housing for HHH clients she developed a dynamic multilayered program that is growing exponentially throughout Los Angeles County, “building communities one family at a time,” she says.
Jamil Hardwick is an entertainment executive, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist known for building impactful partnerships at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and social impact. His work spans entertainment, wellness, sustainable development, and community-focused initiatives rooted in resilience and renewal.
A graduate of Morehouse College and former student-athlete at University of Georgia, Jamil began his career managing talent including Michael B. Jordan and Omari Hardwick. He later founded a successful product placement agency connecting major brands with television, entertainment, and celebrity partnerships.
Today, Jamil serves as Head of Talent Relations and Brand Manager for Actively Black, leading culturally impactful collaborations with global brands, athletes, and entertainment icons.
He is also the Founder of Renewed Homeless Kids Charity, focused on supporting unhoused youth through outreach, empowerment, and community resources. As a speaker and leader, Jamil inspires audiences through conversations on purpose, resilience, leadership, and creating meaningful social impact.
Jamil Hardwick
Founder of Renewed Homeless Kids Charity, Entertainment Executive, Producer and Entrepreneur
Pastor Troy F. Vaughn
President & CEO of Christ-Centered Ministries
Pastor Troy F. Vaughn is the President & CEO of Christ-Centered Ministries, and a nationally recognized leader in homelessness prevention, reentry support, and community transformation that he and his wife, Pastor Darlene Vaughn co-founded in 1999.
A survivor of 7 years of homelessness on Skid Row, Pastor Troy’s journey from brokenness to purpose fuels his mission to help others rebuild their lives.
He is also the CEO & Co-Founder of the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership (LARRP), bringing together over 600 agencies to strengthen housing, employment and advocacy systems; influencing significant reform in public policy and service delivery. Pastor Troy also serves as the Senior Pastor of Restoration Family Worship Center in Inglewood, California.
Pastor Troy holds advanced degrees in law, business, policy, theology, and nonprofit leadership. He has been honored for his work at local, state, and national levels, and is a recipient of the US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteer service. His life stands as a testament to one truth: no story is beyond redemption.
Dr. Ricardo Izurieta
MD DrPH MPH DTM&H, Chair School of Public Health and Health Sciences, California State University Dominguez Hills
Ricardo Izurieta, MD, Dr.PH, MP, DTM&H, is Professor and Chair of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences in the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He earned his MD from the Central University of Ecuador and completed postdoctoral training in public health and tropical infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Emory University, and Universidad Cayetano Heredia in Peru.
Dr. Izurieta has held major public health leadership roles, including National Director of Ecuador’s Cholera Control Program during the 1991 Latin America cholera epidemic and Chief of Epidemiology and Director of the Vaccine Center for the Armed Forces of Ecuador. He has served as a fellow with USAID, PAHO, ORISE/CDC, and the Gorgas Memorial Institute, where he was elected Vice President and currently serves as Latin American Liaison.
He has reviewed for NIH, CDC, NSF, and the Wellcome Foundation, and has advised international health initiatives with PAHO, UNICEF, the United Nations Global Water Pathogens Project, and IANAS. Most recently, he was appointed to the United Nations Pandemic Fund Governing Board Task Force for 2024–2026 and serves as President of the American College of Academic International Medicine.
Dr. Tedman Cheung
Clinical Director, Amity Foundation
Tedman Cheung is the Senior Clinical Director at Amity Foundation, an organization serving the reentry population for the last 40 years. For the past 20 years, Tedman Cheung has been focused on connecting vulnerable populations to mental health services on a micro and macro level.
Tedman Cheung currently oversees the Office of Diversion and Reentry program at Amity, which provides wrap-around services such as supportive housing, mental health services, crisis intervention, and 3 substance abuse treatment. Tedman Cheung's goal is now focused on developing the clinical workforce needed to properly address the multitude of issues that the justice-involved population faces, in order to help individuals break out of their cycle.
Joe Cunningham
Founder, DreamLogic Solutions LLC
Joseph Cunningham is the lead developer and systems architect behind the HOPE Client Database (HCD), a HIPAA-compliant case management platform now live and in daily use at Holliday's Helping Hands and being deployed at Serenity Recuperative Care, supporting staff through the full client journey — from intake and referrals through assessments, care plans, medical information, and case management. With a background spanning software engineering, cybersecurity, and IT operations, Joseph's work focuses on the intersection of healthcare data compliance, practical software engineering, and the operational realities of community-based organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.
Amaris Osiris Amezquita Norice
Associate Program Director, Holliday’s Helping Hands
Amaris is the Associate Program Director over the DMH program at Holliday’s Helping Hands, where she leads with focus on trauma-informed care, policy integration, and staff development across multiple levels of the organization. In her expanded role she supports the development and implementation of policies, procedures and trainings designed to strengthen operational consistency, staff confidence and quality of care.
Amaris is also the founder and CEO of B.R.O.W.S Inc., a faith based nonprofit committed to aiding participants along their journey of restoring dignity through holistic beauty, trauma healing, and personal development. With a background as a licensed aesthetician, certified life coach & trauma healing practitioner, Amaris brings a unique, person-centered approach that blends emotional intelligence, self regulation, and practical application. Her work centers on equipping women, individuals, and teams with tools to navigate high stress environments with clarity, compassion, and discipline.
Barry Lindstrom
Vice President of Operations, Amity Foundation
Mr. Lindstrom currently serves Amity Foundation as a Vice President of Operations and has been working in Teaching and Therapeutic Communities and the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) field for over 35 years. Mr. Lindstrom has been a Director and Administrator of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) In-Prison and Reentry non-profit contracted projects for 24 of those years. Barry and his team serve as a state-wide liaison with and between the CDCR and the Specialized Treatment for
Optimized Programming (STOP) reentry contractors throughout California, and provides oversight of STOP Area 5 serving State Parolees in Los Angeles County. STOP Area 5 subcontracts with 39 different community-based agencies/businesses at 93 locations. Barry also oversees many other Justice Involved (JI) reentry projects as part of his duties. Mr. Lindstrom is currently a Licensed Independent Addictions Counselor (LIAC) in Arizona and a Certified Addictions Specialist in California.
Rachelle McClendon-Alexander
Director of Training & Client Engagement, Holliday’s Helping Hands
Rachelle joined Holliday’s Helping Hands in 2020 as Director of Training, where she leads professional development programs for staff and clients with a focus on practical skills, workforce readiness, and long-term growth.
Drawing from her background as a principal, assistant principal, and science teacher in South Los Angeles, Rachelle brings a strong education and leadership lens to her work. She also directs the Shine Ambassador Worksource Program, helping clients build confidence, strengthen workplace skills, and move toward their professional goals.
Rachelle is a graduate of Spelman College and holds teaching and administrative credentials, along with a Master of Science in Educational Administration. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves as California State Chaplain for the Farwest Region. A national community advocate, engaging speaker, and experienced emcee, Rachelle brings passion, purpose, and inspiration to every audience.
Jason Edmonds
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS,
Whole Systems Learning
Jason Edmonds is Director of Business Development and Communications at Whole Systems Learning, where he supports creative workforce development, media training, and career pathways for youth and returning citizens. Through Whole Systems Learning, he has helped design and lead a 12-week audio and video training program that introduces participants to production fundamentals, storytelling, and practical career skills.
Jason brings a strong background in music, media, communications, and social impact. His work focuses on using creativity, culture, and technology to help individuals build confidence, develop marketable skills, and access new opportunities.
Our Impact
This symposium is designed to strengthen the healthcare and community workforce, improve coordination across systems, and support long-term, sustainable solutions to homelessness and reentry support.
