Fred Berman Email & Phone Number

Somerville, Ma, Us

Somerville, Mass.

The OHS was created in 2018 to prevent the involuntary displacement of Somerville residents facing eviction or at other risk of housing loss; to help unstably housed and soon-to-be displaced residents find and transition to more stable housing, in Somerville if possible; and to support development of policies and legislation that promote housing stability and enhance tenants’ rights. In my role as Co-Deputy Director, I provide direct services to residents; supervise staff and OHS contractors assisting residents; and provide contract management, data management, and policy advocacy support.

Board Leadership:• Boston Area Gleaners (2015-2021), a metro Boston non-profit working to address food insecurity and to create a more equitable and sustainable regional food system by engaging and linking farmers, volunteers (mobilized to harvest hundreds of tons of otherwise-lost crops), and hunger relief agencies to get crops from farms to those in need; reduce food waste; and enhance small farm sustainability. Vice President (2016-18) / President (2018-2020). • Somerville Community Corp. (1999-2019), a community development corporation that creates and preserves affordable housing, and increases resident enfranchisement via economic stabilization and community organizing. Vice President (2000-02), President (2003-04). Leadership role in three strategic planning processes, leadership role in drafting and winning passage of local ordinances expanding inclusionary zoning, increasing the housing linkage fee and establishing a jobs linkage fee. Active participant on Mayor's task force to develop impactful, achievable initiatives to preserve and expand affordable housing and help vulnerable tenants and homeowners.• Mystic View Task Force (2001-2019), non-profit advocate for economic development at Assembly Square in Somerville, Mass. Member of 4-person team that negotiated 2006 mediated resolution to seven-year legal stalemate with developer.• Boston Cares (1994-2006), non-profit that mobilizes ad-hoc and corporate teams of volunteers for diverse community service projects. Other Community Engagement:• Advocacy campaigns opposing legalization of casino gambling in Mass., supporting CORI reform, opposing drastic tax rollbacks, and opposing cutbacks in Elder Home Care;• Candidate for Somerville Alderman at Large (2007);• Volunteer team leadership with Boston Cares (1994-2006) and Outdoor Explorations (supporting participation by persons with disabilities, 1994-98)

Waltham Mass.

• Project Director, "Transitional Housing for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence: A 2014-15 Snapshot." (https://www.air.org/THforSurvivors/) - Conceptualized, directed, and authored all components (report, webinars, podcast interviews) of a U.S. Department of Justice / Office on Violence Against Women-funded technical assistance project examining the challenges facing and approaches taken by transitional housing programs for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Project informed by interviews with over 120 national providers, survey of relevant literature and online resources, advisory feedback of national thought leaders. Report chapters address the definition of success and performance measurement; survivor access and client selection; housing and service models; participant engagement and empowerment; cultural competence and challenges serving diverse subpopulations; the impacts of trauma and elements of a trauma-informed approach; funding / partnering opportunities and challenges. • Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Provider: Provided resource development and consulting support for federal grantees (HUD, SAMHSA) addressing homelessness- and housing-related issues.• Concurrent consulting support for the Center for Social Innovation (Oct. 2010 - Sept. 2012) on training and technical assistance resources to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of services to prevent and address homelessness.

Cambridge, Mass.

• Leadership in Cambridge Continuum of Care planning process - enabled tripling of HUD funding for homeless services, including creation of 150+ new units of supported housing. Grant writing, design of initial grants management protocols, work with provider staff to identify and quantify project performance measures. Key role in development of guidelines, forms, and data systems supporting local implementation of federal homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing program (HPRP). • Planning and technical leadership in implementing Cambridge Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) - preparation of detailed specs for bid solicitation, selection of winning software vendor, oversight of inaugural data upload, customization of user interface including innovative real-time user guidance and data quality feedback, query design and spread sheet programming to identify/troubleshoot data problems and provide summary statistics. Developed and led trainings for homeless provider staff in using the HMIS, and collecting nuanced client assessment data.• Leadership bringing together municipal and non-profit partners to form Metro Boston Network (MBN), a regional collaborative to prevent and address homelessness. Key role shaping successful grant proposal for start-up State funding. As co-chair of MBN Operations and Data Committee, played key roles selecting/refining mix of funded projects, designing implementation review process, and advising State funders on data collection.• Active participant in statewide/regional homelessness-related planning/policy efforts (Mass. Housing and Shelter Alliance, New England Regional HMIS, State- and NGO-convened policy forums), addressing discharge from systems of care that contribute to homelessness, addressing family homelessness, chronic homelessness policy, policies/procedures governing data collection and reporting, etc. Thoughtful respondent to federal/State requests for comments on proposed policy changes.

• Director (1999-2005) of Cambridge Employment Program, a municipal program offering free career counseling and job-search assistance to unemployed and under-employed City residents. Oversaw tripling of staff, implementation of standardized intake and assessment procedures, design of client data base, and transition to computerized client records.• Lead role planning and managing New Lease Program, a short-term municipal initiative (1996-97) assisting tenants at risk of losing housing as rent control ended; supervised three staff and oversaw $100,000 client assistance fund.• Lead role conceptualizing, building partnerships, obtaining federal grant funding for, and managing implementation of HUD-funded housing-based youth and family services project ; youth-driven needs assessment project (supervised three-person staff responsible for work of 10-15 stipended youth); and hunger prevention project (including development of food pantry-based benefits outreach program and pantry home delivery program). Additional successful grant getting in support of youth peer tutoring project (Learn and Serve), domestic violence prevention partnership (VAWA), substance abuse prevention effort (CSAP, MA DPH), and neighborhood/ non-profit efforts.• Lead role in design of on-line health and human services database for Cambridge and Somerville, including development of inaugural service taxonomy and search categories. Developed other resource directories, community service directory.• Member of advisory team that planned supervision training for Cambridge DHSP Managers.• Developed and led trainings for benefits outreach staff of local CAP agency. Led workshops for Cambridge DHSP staff on grant writing. Led workshops for college volunteers providing employment services and assistance in obtaining mainstream benefits.

Boston, Mass.

• Analysis and Development of Legislative and Budget Proposals: Analyzed, costed out, recommended Committee positions on, and prepared re-drafts of legislative and budgetary proposals pertaining to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Medicaid, and General Relief (precursor to EAEDC). Researched and drafted legislation, budget amendments, testimony.• Leadership on Committee Initiatives: Wrote Committee report on maximizing federal reimbursement (FFP) for social services, later incorporated as State policy by Secretary of Administration and Finance. Developed testimony on proposed long term care insurance regulations which directly contributed to promulgation of stronger consumer protections by Commission on Insurance. Mediated multi-party discussions on omnibus legislation regulating continuing care retirement communities, and drafted model bill supported by Executive Office of Elder Affairs. • Guest lecturer on the legislative process for University of Massachusetts at Boston Gerontology Program.

Boston, Mass.

Developed payment algorithms and policy proposals for non-institutional long term care. Created analytic model showing cost-effectiveness of expanded federal Home and Community-Based Services waiver, to support successful application.

Watertown And Waltham, Mass.

Managed caseload of 75 vulnerable elders. Conducted in-home needs assessments; devised and oversaw implementation of service plans; advocated for and informally counseled clients and caregivers. Represented agency at town meetings.

M.S.E (1977) Quantitative Policy Analysis / B.A. (1976) Mathematical Sciences (Dept Honors)

• Coursework in probability and statistics; mathematical and simulation modeling, operations research tools; computer programming.

Certificate (1991) Dispute Resolution - Umass Boston

• Coursework in mediation, negotiation, and social conflict theory. • Internship as a mediator in a small claims court. • Follow-up.

Health Education (1981-82)

• Coursework in environmental and health sciences, behavior and learning theory, social policy related to aging and disability, program.