HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09271994 - IO.5 1 .0.-5-5 COntra
To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ,,�.•5;-;;�-..,o„
FROM: +
INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE �y �►` '.' Costa
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September 19, 1994 � sr... -.- �' County
DATE: + count
SUBJECT: REPORT ON THE CONTRACT WITH SHELTER, INC. FOR OPERATION OF THE
SINGLE ADULT'S SHELTER
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1 . REQUEST the cooperation of the Health Services Director by
assigning the Public Health Director, Wendel Brunner, M.D. , to
identify any and all allegations of improper treatment of
homeless individuals in the shelters operated on behalf of the
County by Shelter, Inc. , investigate those allegations, and
report his findings, conclusions and recommendation to the
Internal Operations Committee on October 31, 1994 .
2 . REQUEST Dr. Brunner to also identify examples of positive
experiences individuals have had with the shelters, compare
and contrast these experiences with the negative ones and
attempt to explain why some individuals find that they have
been helped by the homeless shelter whereas other individuals
believe they have been mistreated, neglected and not provided
the services to which they were entitled.
3 . Where it appear to be relevant to a discussion of the
management of the shelters by Shelter, Inc. , DIRECT Dr.
Brunner to identify all funds which are presently being spent
on services for the homeless in this County, how those funds
are being spent and to identify any recommendations he may
have for how these funds can be spent more effectively, in a
more coordinated manner and in such a way as to reduce
administrative overhead and insure that the maximum amount of
the available money is directly providing services for the
homeless .
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES S NATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMIN TRAT,R ECOM ND ON OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER 1 '
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED- OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
XUNANIMOUS(ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
SEP 2 7 1994
ATTESTED
Contact: County Administrator PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
CC: Executive Director, Housing Authority SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Health Services Director
Public Health Director
Executive Director, Shelter, Inc.B`1�����..,DEPUTY
I .O.-5
4 . In formulating his recommendations, DIRECT Dr. Brunner to
particularly attempt to identify measurable factors which can
be used to evaluate the outcome of the contract with Shelter,
Inc. in terms of the number and characteristics of individuals
who are rehabilitated and returned to again become self-
supporting, contributing members of the community in relation
to the funds which are expended.
5 . EXTEND the County' s existing contract with Shelter, Inc. for
the management and operation of the homeless shelters, which
is now due to expire September 30, 1994, through November 30,
1994 .
BACKGROUND:
On September 13, 1994 , Supervisor DeSaulnier asked the Board of
Supervisors to refer the contract between the County and Shelter,
Inc. , which is due to expire on September 30, 1994, to the Internal
Operations Committee. A number of complaints had been brought to
his attention which he judged needed to be investigated. On
September 19, 1994, our Committee met with staff from the Housing
Authority, which oversees the contract with Shelter, Inc. , staff
and Board members from Shelter, Inc. , Dr. Wendel Brunner, members
of the Homeless Advisory Committee, and supporters and critics of
the manner in which the shelters are presented managed by Shelter,
Inc.
Supervisor DeSaulnier outlined his reasons for wanting this
contract referred to the Internal Operations Committee. He
suggested that the allegations needed to be investigated and that
he would like the Internal Operations Committee to oversee the
process, through the Health Services Department and specifically,
Dr. Wendel Brunner, who is in the process of putting together a
report for the Internal Operations Committee on a more
comprehensive way of viewing homelessness as a public health
problem and as a symptom of a variety of other problems which cause
or at least result in homelessness . He suggested that what is
needed is a "medical model" way of viewing a homeless individual as
a "patient" who needs to be "cured" of whatever is causing his
symptoms, rather than simply trying to address the "homelessness"
symptom.
Richard Martinez, Executive Director of the Housing Authority,
noted that the Housing Authority welcomes the investigation and
will cooperate fully with Dr. Brunner.
Those present indicated a number of problems with the present
homeless shelter system. On the other hand, a number of homeless
and formerly homeless individuals pointed out that the shelters
make a number of resources available but that an individual must be
somewhat aggressive in making use of these resources and must have
a fairly clear picture of what he or she needs and wants and then
go ahead and insure that he or she obtains those services and makes
use of the necessary resources .
The Rev. Curtis Timmons suggested that part of what is needed is a
closer working relationship between the religious community and the
County since many homeless individuals ask churches for help.
Based on the testimony provided on September 19, 1994 and that
which has been provided to us previously, we have formulated the
above recommendations . We are asking Dr. Brunner to provide his
report on this subject to our Committee on October 31, 1994 . In
the meantime, to avoid any unintended interruption in services to
the homeless, we are recommending that the existing contract with
Shelter, Inc . be continued for two months .
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