Open Leadership Council Seats

Are you passionate about making an impact in preventing and ending homelessness?

Become part of a community-wide, strategic, and coordinated effort by joining the Continuum of Care (CoC) Leadership Council. The Leadership Council consists of appointed and elected seats of community influencers and decision-makers committed to understanding the vital role each sector plays in preventing housing insecurity and homelessness, and ensuring that when homelessness does occur, it's brief and one-time. Council members collaborate across systems to drive collective, lasting community impact.

If you are interested in joining our current Leadership Council members, which includes Sarasota and Manatee County Commissioners, local City representatives, CEOs and Executive Directors of local nonprofits, private sector leaders, homeless advocates, and experts in mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation- the following seats are up for election for the upcoming 2025-2026 year:

• Chamber of Commerce Representative – A representative from a Manatee or Sarasota Chamber of Commerce organization

• Individual with Lived Experience of Homelessness – Someone who has personally experienced homelessness and can offer critical insights 

• At-Large Representatives (2 seats) – Open to individuals from any relevant background or sector who bring passion and perspective 

• Manatee County Public Schools Representative – A professional involved in school services in Manatee County 

• State-Certified Behavioral Health Provider - There are 2 seats on the Council, 1 seat is open - the other is filled by Centerstone.

• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Provider – Leadership from an organization that provides permanent supportive housing 

• Veterans Administration or Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Representative – Leadership from the Department of Veteran Affairs or an organization that serves our CoC through an SSVF grant.

• Sarasota Law Enforcement Representative – A member of law enforcement from Sarasota County or a municipality within - preferably involved in (or supervising those who are) community and homelessness response 

• Emergency Shelter Provider Representative – Leadership from an organization providing immediate shelter and support to individuals in crisis 

• Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Advocate – A person age 16-24 who has lived experience in homelessness and/or the foster care system.

• Sarasota County Schools Representative – A professional involved in school services in Sarasota County 

• LGBTQ+ Representative – A person to serve as a voice of the LGBTQ+ community

• Senior Representative with Lived Expertise in Homelessness or Housing Insecurity – A person who is 55 or older, that has experienced homelessness or housing insecurity.

• Business Community Representative – Manatee County 

• Business Community Representative – Sarasota County 

• Disability Representative – A person to serve as the voice for individuals with disabilities

• Minor Youth/Transition Age Youth Provider Representative – A representative from an organization that provides services to minor youth, teens, and/or young adults transitioning to independence 

• Manatee Law Enforcement Representative - A member of law enforcement from Manatee County or a municipality within - preferably involved in (or supervising those who are) community and homelessness response 

Ready to make a difference? 

Each seat plays a critical role in guiding policy, aligning efforts, and amplifying the voices of those impacted by homelessness. Download the application below:

FY 26 Leadership Council Application.pdf

Download PDF • 109KB

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., August 6th, 2025,  to Hailee Catalano at hailee@suncoastpartnership.org.

Elections will be held at the annual CoC meeting, August 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., at the Harvest House Life Enrichment Center, 3650 17th Street, Sarasota, FL.

Final Notes: 

• Elected members serve two-year terms.

• Current members whose terms are expiring are encouraged to reapply. 

• This is an important Board charged with cross-sector collaboration and planning around strategies, policies, systems, funding, and service delivery to prevent homelessness wherever possible and quickly resolve it when it does occur. A minimum commitment of meeting attendance every other month (typically 1.5 hours long) is essential to success.