A Local Champion is Key to Changing Program
A persuasive leader can be the force for change in behavioral health programs. Sam Tsemberis, founder of the Pathways model Housing First, provides one such example and offers his view on the key elements required to successfully launch a program.
A local champion is the person who initiates the process of change in a community or an agency. He or she engages other key stakeholders, identifies sources of funding, coordinates grant applications, and generally oversees the implementation of a Pathways to Housing First (PHF) program. This is the person who reaches out and engages the technical assistance needed to begin the program, the person who works closely and collaboratively with all parties to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation.