What is the Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care?

Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care

The Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care (WIBOSCOC) is one of four CoC’s within the state of Wisconsin that work to end homelessness. Ending homelessness means every community will have a systematic response in place that ensures homelessness is prevented whenever possible, or if it can’t be prevented, it is a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.

• Dane County CoC (1 county)
• Milwaukee County CoC (1 county)
• Racine County CoC (1 county)
• Wisconsin Balance of State CoC (69 counties comprised of 21 coalitions or members)

The purpose of the Wisconsin Balance of State CoC is to:

1. Provide leadership to local continua in the Balance of State geographic area
2. Ensure the efficient and effective delivery of housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
3. Promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness
4. Provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, States, and local governments to re-house individuals and families experiencing homelessness rapidly while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to individuals and families experiencing homelessness as well as communities as a consequence of homelessness
5. Promote access to and effective use of mainstream programs by individuals and families experiencing homelessness
6. Optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness
7. Meet the educational needs of the Corporation’s members and the public
8. Advocate for those it serves;
9. Collect dues from its members, as authorized herein.

Myth vs. Fact

Myth: Continuum of Care’s aren’t effective in ending homelessness.

Fact: A Continuum of Care (CoC) is designed to promote community wide commitment and collaboration to the goal of ending homelessness. They are designed to support a geographic region and play a crucial role in coordinating homeless assistance strategies. CoC’s often are comprised of multiple different representatives from a wide range of services. This can include:

This wide range of service expertise allows for a CoC to widen the approach to end homelessness. Many CoC’s including the Wisconsin Balance of State CoC, directly oversee the Coordinated Entry system within the continuum. This helps communities within that continuum prioritize assistance based on vulnerability and severity of service needs to ensure that people who need assistance can receive it in a timely manner. The CoC can help provide guidance and technical assistance when it comes to the CE system to promote effective and efficient execution of the system as a whole.