Supporting Clients with Vital Documents
September 21, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:30AM
Free
Accessing Vital Documents in Michigan: Removing Barriers to Civic Participation
For individuals experiencing homelessness, obtaining and maintaining vital documents such as birth certificates, state identification cards, Social Security cards, and other records can be a significant barrier to housing, employment, benefits, healthcare, and voting. Join us for this practical webinar designed for homeless service providers, outreach workers, case managers, and advocates.
Participants will learn about Michigan-specific processes for securing vital documents, strategies for overcoming common barriers, available resources and partnerships, and how document access supports voter registration and civic engagement. Whether you are assisting clients with obtaining identification for the first time or replacing lost documents, this session will provide actionable tools to help ensure the people you serve can access their rights, services, and opportunities.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the role of vital documents in accessing housing, benefits, employment, and voting.
- Navigate Michigan processes for obtaining birth certificates, state IDs, and other essential records.
- Identify resources and funding options to assist clients with document acquisition.
- Support eligible individuals in overcoming identification barriers related to voter registration and participation.
Facilitator
Lisa Chapman and Elizabeth Kelly
Lisa Chapman is an enthusiastic collaborator with more than 40 years of experience in the non-
profit sector. Lisa retired as of 2025, formerly with MI Coalition Against Homelessness, as Director
of Public Policy. Chapman was also at Community Housing Network as the Director of Strategic
Initiatives, and at Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) a national nonprofit for 20 years,
working with communities in MI and across the country to end veteran homelessness and develop
supportive housing. Ms. Chapman also served as the Co-Chair of the Michigan Interagency
Council on Homelessness for 2 years, as part of collaborative work on the statewide Campaign to
End Homelessness. Lisa served as a member of the MI Balance of State Continuum of Care and
was an officer on the Macomb CoC Board. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and
psychology from Michigan State University and is a current Board member and volunteer of
Neighborhood House in Farmington/Farmington Hills.