Sign up here for the City of Plano's Homeless Census (also known as Point-in-Time or PIT count)
The PIT Count is conducted every year on one day in January across the country. Volunteers are needed to identify individuals experiencing homelessness, conduct surveys in their assigned area in the City of Plano, and distribute resources and care packages. Volunteers will work in teams and most have a police officer assigned to accompany them.
Signing up:
All participants must create their own account and respond to this opportunity. Staff members will sort participants into their desired groups prior to the event. Each group will have 5 people. If you do not have a group, we will assign you to one. Follow these instructions to ensure you are grouped accordingly:
How to create your account and sign up for the PIT Count:
- Click the light blue RESPOND button
- A pop-up asking you to create an account or login will appear - Click SIGN UP
- Complete the "I'm An Adult 18+" application
- Once created, you will be directed back to the PIT Count opportunity
- You will be prompted to complete a Volunteer Waiver and Background Check Consent Form
- You can now finalize your response. PLEASE TYPE IN DETAILS ABOUT YOUR GROUP IF APPLICABLE. HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF WHAT TO TYPE:
- Group me with [organization name] = You wish to be grouped with others from that church, civic group or business
- Group me with [specific people's names] = You wish to be grouped with those specific individuals (If less than 5 people, you will be paired with others who need a group)
- Assign me a group = You do not have a group or others you wish to be grouped with. Staff will group you with other individuals without a group.
EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU WILL SEE WHEN YOU FINALIZE YOUR RESPONSE. THE RESPONSE NOTES TEXT BOX IS WHERE YOU WILL TYPE HOW YOU WANT TO BE GROUP.
What happens after you sign up:
- The City of Plano will contact you with further instructions on completing a background check
- Closer to the date, we will finalize groups and send a confirmation via email
On the night of Thursday, January 25th:
Volunteers are to arrive at Plano Municipal Center by 6:45PM to check in, meet group members, receive toolkit, and complete an hour training session. During the training volunteers will learn how to operate the Counting Us App, best practice safety tips, and survey procedures. After the training, you will be given a map with an area of the city to visit and search for people experiencing homelessness.
Event Schedule:
- Volunteer groups are given an assigned area
- Police officer contact for safety and knowledge of area given
- Start the Census between 8:00pm – 8:30pm
- Complete by 12 midnight
- Return bags to City staff before 12:15am
Each group will have assigned roles within the night.
Roles are as followed:
- Driver
- Navigator/Time manager
- Point of Contact - asks questions and completes survey, leads conversation
- App Manager - listens to conversation and fills in answers on the app
- Photographer/Care package handler(s) - gives package and explains contents; capture photos of the team
Requirements:
- Each participant must complete an online volunteer profile, waiver and background check consent form
- Expect to receive an email from City of Plano Volunteers in Plano [email protected] to submit a secure background check.
- Download the "Counting Us" app on your phone and create a profile prior to the night of census.
Questions may be directed to Karimah Hernandez - [email protected]
