One Voice
Executive Summary
The following analyses are the product of all research and data collected by a group of Dartmouth undergraduate students working in the Policy Research Shop at the Rockefeller Center from October 2009 to May 2010. Most of the data was collected through interviews with shelter directors and state officials from Vermont and New Hampshire. Shelter director interviews were standardized to cover aspects of shelter management: services, intake procedures, occupancy, facilities, staff, partnerships, rules, finances, strengths, areas of improvement, and success measurement. While information provided by shelter directors varied, there was a great deal of overlap among responses, revealing common themes and concerns among the organizations. With this information we hope to provide an honest, thorough, and objective perspective on shelters in New Hampshire and Vermont. Directors may utilize this information to reflect on their own shelters and collaborate with others in order to improve the services and outcomes for homeless individuals.