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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10171995 - D2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS F&HS-02 Contra FROM: ��` Costa FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE County DATE: ?tr'Ii`uiii+t't c October 9, 1995 SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT ON PROGRAMS FOR THE HOMELESS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. DIRECT the Health Services Director and Executive Director, Shelter, Inc., to continue their discussions with each other and subsequently report to the Family and Human Services Committee on November 27, 1995 on the following, identifying areas in which there is agreement and areas in which there is disagreement and the nature of any disagreement: A. What changes are being proposed to the Case Management system, how will the Case Management system work in the future and when will the changes be made effective? B. What changes, if any, need to be made to the Shelter Monitoring system which Shelter, Inc. will continue to administer? C. What changes need to 'be' made in the contract with Shelter, Inc. to reflect the changes in the Case Management system and any proposed changes in the Shelter Monitoring program? D: What changes in the payment limit for the contract with Shelter, Inc. are being recommended and how was the new payment limit arrived at? CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD C IT E APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S ACTION OF BOARD ON PPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS(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. ATTESTED October 17, 1995 Contact: PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF CC: SUP S AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR See Page 4 BY F&HS-02 E. Assuming that the changes to the payment limit in the contract with Shelter, Inc. reduce the payment limit for that contract, what is proposed to be done with the funds which are being freed up? 2. Depending on the nature and direction the discussions with Shelter, Inc. take, DIRECT the Health Services Director to provide the Family and Human Services Committee on November 27, 1995 with recommendations on how the County's homeless services program should be administered in the future. 3. DIRECT the Health Services Director to report to the Family and Human Services Committee on November 27, 1995, on the results of the Department Head-level meeting around the issue of homeless encampments, revise as necessary the "White Paper" on homeless encampments which was provided to the Committee on October 9, 1995, and provide the Family and Human Services Committee with any recommended revisions to the County policy on handling homeless encampments for the Committee's review and identify whether there are any disagreements among the involved departments regarding the content of the policy on handling homeless encampments and, if so, what each department's concerns are regarding the policy as submitted to the Family and Human Services Committee. This policy should distinguish, as appropriate, the process for handling encampments on County-owned property in the unincorporated area of the County, versus encampments on County-owned property within an incorporated city, versus an encampment on property within an incorporated city that is privately owned or that is owned by another public agency which is not governed by the Board of Supervisors. 4. DIRECT the Health Services Director to include the providers of services to the homeless in the homeless encampment policy, either directly in participating in the development and review of policy for handling homeless encampments or in reviewing and having an opportunity to comment on the policy that is developed by the department heads. 5. DIRECT the Health Services Director to provide the Family and Human Services Committee on November 27, 1995 with a status report on the operation of the Homeless Hotline along with whatever recommendations he considers appropriate. 6. REQUEST the Public Works Director to consider posting those bridges in the unincorporated area of the County with directions that camping or staying overnight under the bridge is illegal and that violators will be removed and/or prosecuted for trespassing and providing the appropriate telephone number and report his findings and recommendation to the Family and Human Services Committee on November 27, 1995. BACKGROUND: On September 12, 1995, the Board of Supervisors approved a report from our Committee which included the following recommendations: 1. DIRECT the Health Services Director to take whatever steps are necessary to transfer the answering of the Homeless Hotline to Crisis Intervention effective immediately so that a homeless individual who calls at any time of the day or night talks with a human being, rather than having to leave a voicemail message. In connection with this action, determine whether and when the Homeless Hotline can be converted to an "800" number, with the County picking up the cost of the actual calls and report his findings and recommendations to the Family and Human Services Committee on October 9, 1995. 2 F&HS-02 2. DIRECT the Health Services Director, Social Service Director and Executive Director, Shelter, Inc.,to discuss with each other and subsequently report to the Family and Human Services Committee on October 9,1995 on the following, identifying areas in which there is agreement and areas in which there is disagreement and the nature of any disagreement: A. What changes are being proposed to the Case Management system, how will the Case Management system work in the future and when will the changes be made effective? B. What changes, if any, need to be made to the Shelter Monitoring system which Shelter, Inc. will continue to administer? C. What changes need to be made in the contract with Shelter,Inc. to reflect the changes in the Case Management system and any proposed changes in the Shelter Monitoring program? D. What changes in the payment limit for the contract with Shelter, Inc. are being recommended and how was the new payment limit arrived at? E. Assuming that the changes to the payment limit in the contract with Shelter, Inc. reduce the payment limit for that contract, what is proposed to be done with the funds which are being freed up? 3. DIRECT the Health Services Director to make any revisions which are required in the Work Plan and Admission and Service Delivery Policies which are to be incorporated be reference in the contract with Shelter, Inc.as a result of the change in the Case Management or Shelter Monitoring programs and present them to the Family and Human Services Committee on October 9, 1995,along with the proposed new contract with Shelter,Inc.for the period December 1, 1995-June 30, 1996. 4. DIRECT the Health Services Director,Social Service Director and Public Works Director, in consultation as necessary with the Sheriff-Coroner,Contra Costa County Police Chiefs'Association and California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), to prepare a "White Paper" on homeless encampments which includes a procedure which will be followed whenever it is deemed necessary to move homeless individuals out of an existing encampment. 5. DIRECT the Social Service Director to track the number of General Assistance applicants who are offered a shelter bed when such a bed is available and identify how many applicants accepted a shelter bed versus the number of applicants who refused a shelter bed and what the financial impact was in both cases and report the results to the Family and Human Services Committee on a quarterly basis beginning in January, 1996. 6. DIRECT the Social Service Director to track the number of General Assistance applicants who are not offered a shelter bed because none is available at the time the individual applies and what the financial impact is of not having a' sufficient number of shelter beds available and report the results to the Family and Human Services Committee on a quarterly basis beginning in January, 1996. 7. APPROVE an amendment to Contract Agreement#25-004-1 with Shelter,Inc. as is provided for in the attached separate Board Order in order to extend Shelter, Inc.'s existing contract for the operation of the North Concord and Richmond shelters through November 30, 1995, including an increase in the contract of$237,484 for a new payment limit of$353,138.50. On October 9, 1995, our Committee met with Dr. Brunner, members of his staff, representatives of Shelter, Inc., Jim Bouquin from Crisis Intervention, and staff from the Public Works Department and County Counsel's Office. Dr. Brunner provided the attached report for our Committee and reviewed it with us. This report answers the above points, except for# 5 and # 6 which are directed to the Social Service Director and will reported back to the 1996 Family and Human Services Committee and #7, which required no additional report to our Committee. 3 F&HS-Q2 Mr. Wedepohl indicated that he and the Chair of his Board, Tom Koch, are anxious to meet with Dr. Brunner and Brenda Blasingame as quickly as possible in an effort to try to work through the remaining differences between Shelter, Inc. and the Health Services Department staff. Dr. Brunner characterized the outstanding issue as whether and to what extent the Health Services Department should remain involved in the operation and management of the homeless shelters, versus turning the program back totally to Shelter, Inc. Until this issue is resolved, it is impossible to complete work on any needed changes to the Case Management or Shelter Monitoring systems or determine the terms and conditions of the contract with Shelter, Inc. Supervisor DeSaulnier noted the importance of reporting back to the Family and Human Services Committee prior to the November 30, 1995 termination of the existing contract extension with Shelter, Inc. For this purpose, the Department is asked to report back to the Committee on November 27, 1995. Dr. Brunner also indicated that a meeting is taking place October 11, 1995 involving all of the involved Department Heads who are concerned with the subject of homeless encampments. Supervisor DeSaulnier also asked that the results of this meeting and any subsequent meetings be reported to the Committee on November 27, 1995. Our Committee was pleased to hear that the homeless hotline and been turned over to Crisis Intervention, which is now answering the telephone. It has not yet been possible to convert to an "800" number until we have more experience with the number of telephone calls that are likely to be involved and therefore the cost of an 800 number. It is assumed that the number of telephone calls will increase by some amount since Crisis Intervention is using volunteers to answer the telephone at all times, rather than the use of a voice-mail recording which, it is assumed, caused some individuals to hang up. Supervisor DeSaulnier also asked Public Works to review the possibility of doing additional posting on the bridges in the unincorporated area of the County to address not only the issue of trespassing, but to clarify that camping or staying overnight is not permitted and that an individual who is camping under a bridge is subject to being removed, regarding of any subsequent prosecution for trespassing. The issue of homeless encampments under bridges or elsewhere on County or Flood Control District property raises the question of the County's or District's liability. This is a significant concern for the Public Works Department and needs to be addressed in deciding how to handle homeless encampments. We will report back to the Board again on this subject following our November 27, 1995 meeting. cc: County Administrator Health Services Director Public Health Director Brenda Blasingame, Homeless Program Coordinator County Counsel Public Works Director Social Service Director Sheriff-Coroner Executive Director, Shelter, Inc. Executive Director, Crisis Intervention 4 S _L Contra Costa County Health Services Department �;'i� = �,• PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION Administrative Offices ,40 597 Center Avenue I =_ , Suite 200 'v -'G4` Martinez,California 94553 (Cf 60 (510)313-6712 TO: Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier, District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith, District 2 Family & Human Services Committee FROM: Wendel Brunner, M.D. Assistant Health Services Director for Public Health DATE: October 6, 1995 SUBJECT: REPORT TO THE FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS PROGRAMS We were directed to report back to the Family & Human Services Committee on four issues involving the County homeless programs. The enclosed packet contains the more detailed response to these four issues, which we are summarizing in this cover memo. Homeless Hotline to 24-Hour Coverage - The homeless hotline now has 24-hour coverage by Crisis and Suicide. A memorandum of understanding has been developed between the Contra Costa County Homeless Project and Crisis and Suicide Intervention(see enclosed) which outlines the procedures for the hotline. The 24-hour coverage has been in effect for the last week. There were the predictable initial glitches, but most of these have been ironed out. After an initial Period of operation the Homeless Project and Crisis and Suicide will evaluate the operation and further streamline the procedure if appropriate. We have not yet implemented an 800 number because we still do not have a good idea of the number of calls anticipated, and therefore the costs of the service. Part of the hotline evaluation will be to determine the number of calls, the costs, and how to convert the homeless hotline to an 800 number. Proposed Modifications in Shelter, Inc. Contract for the Homeless Shelters - Homeless Program staff have negotiated with Shelter, Inc. staff around the proposed modifications introduced to the Family &Human Services Committee last month. Based on those negotiations, there have been further modifications in the Health Services Department proposal. We have proposed to further delineate the role of Case Managers, to be under the supervision of the County Homeless Program, and Support Services Counselors, directed by Shelter, Inc. We have proposed a change in management structure which would eliminate the Shelter Program Director, A372 (7/91) strengthen the role of shelter site coordinators, and involve greater direction to the program from more senior Shelter, Inc. management staff. We have proposed to add one FTE case manager to the program, to be split as .5 FTE to each shelter site. The net change should involve a small reduction in cost. Our goal in this proposal is to preserve and promote a partnership between the County Homeless Program and the community-based nonprofits, in this case Shelter, Inc. We feel this proposal resolves the dual case management system which has existed for several years in the shelter program. Because of the long history of confusion and controversy in the shelter program, we feel that the Health Services Department should maintain a major role in program oversight and involvement, at least until the program further stabilizes. In the last nine months of Health Services Department involvement with the shelter program, the level and intensity of public controversy and concern about the program has declined, a trend which we believe reflects an improvement in the shelter program. At the same time that the County Homeless Program maintains its involvement, Shelter, Inc. needs to continue to develop a major role in the oversight and direction of homeless programs. Our proposed program structure has not been agreed to by the Board of Directors of Shelter, Inc., and there is some disagreement from Shelter, Inc. staff and Board members about our proposal. Tom Koch, Chairperson of the Shelter, Inc. Board of Directors, has proposed a meeting between himself and appropriate Shelter, Inc. representatives, to see if we can identify and resolve the differences. We are certainly willing to schedule and participate in such a meeting shortly. Work Plan and Admission and Service Delivery Policies - Enclosed in the packet are the modified work plan and admission and service delivery policies associated with our proposed contract changes. "White Paper" on Homeless Encampments - Enclosed is a brief "White Paper" on homeless encampments. In that paper we make the points that there are encampments of homeless people throughout the county, in both cities and unincorporated areas. There are no easy solutions to homeless encampment issues; many of the people involved have substance abuse, mental health issues, or other concerns that make them unsuitable or unwilling to participate in existing homeless programs. A long term solution involves developing outreach to individuals in the homeless encampments, establishing relationships, and linking homeless persons with services over time. Many of these encampments are known to local law enforcement agencies, and our program is working to establish ongoing liaison with the law enforcement agencies in the key jurisdictions. Eliminating a homeless encampment often just moves the problem to another location. Sometimes there are reasons,however, to remove a camp from a specific site, including sanitation or fire concerns, or complaints from business or recreation areas used by the public. On unincorporated property, this problem comes under the jurisdiction of the County. Staff from the Homeless Program, Public Works, Mental Health, and Social Services have met to identify the criteria for moving a camp and the procedure for doing so. The County has a formal policy, approved by the Board of Supervisors and County Counsel, for dealing with encampments in county property, which is to be followed. In addition to that formal policy, staff have developed four steps to ensure the camp is moved with the least disruption and the maximum opportunity to get residents into appropriate services. These steps are identified in the "White Paper." On October 11, there will be a meeting with Department Heads to discuss and ratify cross- departmental policies and procedures for the decision to remove homeless encampments and the steps to take. WB:ah Attachments cc: Mark Finucane, Health Services Director CONVERSION OF HOMELESS HOTLINE TO 24 HOUR COVERAGE During the month of September the County took the necessary steps to move the Homeless Referral Line over to Crisis and Suicide to provide 24 hour coverage as directed by the Family and Human Services Committee on September 12 , 1995 . The original three (3) lines that were answered by the Homeless Referral Line staff person have been rolled over to the Crisis and Suicide office to be answered by their volunteer phone workers . We will be in continual contact with Crisis and Suicide for the purposes of evaluating and updating procedures for the Hotline so that we can assure the highest level of operation. At this time we are not able to do a cost analysis in relation to an 11800" number because we do not have a good idea of the number of calls we will be receiving. Since the previous line was not answered by a person we believe that we had a certain number of hang ups when people reached the voice-mail answering system. After the current 24 hour line as been operating for 2 - 3 months we will have a sense of the volume of calls that we can expect and then will be able to have a cost analysis completed. At that time we will be able to determine whether and when the Homeless Hotline can be converted to an 11800" number. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Contra Costa County Homeless Project and Crisis & Suicide Intervention HOMELESS HOTLINE PROCEDURES 1 . Crisis & Suicide Intervention (CSI) staff will answer homeless hotline on a 24-hour basis . 2 . CSI staff willask persons who identify themselves as single homeless adults for the following information: -Homeless individuals interested in county emergency shelters (Concord located in Central County/Brookside in West County) -Name -CCC resident - what city - where are you currently located -Shelter preference - Concord/Richmond -Date & time of call THE COUNTY DOES NOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER TO FAMILIES 3 . CSI staff will keep a running list of requests for emergency shelter and fax to Contra Costa County Homeless Project at 7:30 a.m. Monday - Friday. (FAX #313-6188) This list will be printed with shelter preference listed beside name. 4 . Contra Costa County Homeless Program (CCCHP) Staff will fax current waiting list to CSI at 4 :00 p.m. Monday - Friday. 5. CCCHP staff will notify CSI by 8 :30 a.m. Monday - Friday, except holidays, of number of beds available at each shelter and number of people from waiting list to patch through for referral to shelters. CCCHP will notify daily of number of persons to patch through as they call between the hours of 9 : 00 - 10 :00 a.m. Number to patch through on: (510) 313-6124 . 6 . CSI will patch homeless persons on waiting list to set up appointment at shelter site. These appointments must be made by 10 : 00. a.m. with CCCHP staff . Person #1 - 15 on waiting list should be asked to call homeless hotline daily between 9 :OO a.m. - 10 :00 a.m. to check their status and be patched through for shelter appointment if bed is available.. All persons in slots 1 - 20 should be screened for a timely referral to shelter. 7 . Homeless persons who are not in the top 15 slots on the waiting list must be screened to determine eligibility for a shelter bed. Memorandum of Understanding Page Two If they have a phone # where they can be reached they will be called back by the CCCHP staff, usually the same day between 10 : 00 a.m. - 12 : 00 p.m. unless notified of a different time . Homeless individuals without access to a telephone should be patched through to CCCHP staff between 10 : 00 a.m. and 12 : 30 P.M. Monday - Friday for screening. Homeless families single females seeking transitional housing at the Mt . View House in Martinez should be given CCCHP direct #313-6124 and instructed to call between the hours 2 : 00 p.m. - 4 : 00 p.m. Monday — Friday for screening. Homelesss adults who have no telephone number, must call the hotline daily to check their status once they reach the top 15 slots. All clients must call to update any change of telephone number. 8 . This waiting list is now ongoing for the County Emergency Shelters for single adults. Persons on this waiting list need to call once a week on .MONDAY between 9 :00 a.m. - S :00 p.m. to hold their position on this waiting list. Clients will move up the waiting list until they receive a shelter bed as long as they call weekly on Mondays to maintain their name on the waiting list. On Tuesday when CSI staff fax to CCCHP staff CSI will need to check off person' s names who have called on Monday to reserve their place on waiting list . This will be procedure until further notice updates will be furnished to CSI as necessary. 10/4/95 PROPOSED PROGRAM STRUCTURE Each shelter site will have the following staff configuration: 1 - Shelter Site Coordinator (Contractor Staff) 1 . 5 - Case Managers (County Staff) 2 - Support Services Counselors (Contractor Staff) Shelter Assistants- to cover all shifts with at least 2 on duty at all times (Contractor Staff) There will be l Operations and Volunteer Services Coordinator to serve both sites (Contractor Staff) The job responsibilities of the Site Coordinator and the Support Services Counselor are attached. The new Support Services Counselor position eliminates the dual system of case management and provides for the housing and support services needs that have been identified by the County Homeless Program Staff. Under this program structure the County Shelter Staff are directly supervised by the Homeless Program Services Director. The Contractor Shelter Staff will be directly supervised by the Shelter Site Coordinator, who is supervised by the Contractor. Attached you will find a Job Description for the new positions of Site Coordinator and Support Services Counselor, revised work plan, revised service delivery policy, revised County responsibilities, and a new monitoring system to be implemented by the Homeless Program Services Director. PROPOSED JOB DESCRIPTION: SITE COORDINATOR The Position: Under the supervision of the Executive Director, individuals in this position administer and execute the shelter facility and supportive programs according to the policies and procedures specified by the Health Services Department and the Board of Supervisors . The Site Coordinator develops, implements, and maintains systems for the administration of necessary services to homeless individuals in the shelter. Job Responsibilities : 1 . Supervise and evaluate shelter employees . 2 . Prepare staff work schedule, including backup and relief personnel. 3 . Conduct staff meetings . 4 . Coordinate on-site shelter programs. 5 . Conduct Notice of Action Hearings 6 . Coordinate ordering of supplies through the Operations and Volunteer Services Coordinator. 7 . Coordinate repairs to facility. 8 . Implement and maintain necessary documentation for program accountability, including but not limited to monthly reports to County. Also prepares and makes available reports to funding sources as requested. 9 . Assumes responsibility for the overall function of the shelter facility and program. Qualifications : 1 . BA in behavioral science field or a field closely related. Extensive training or experience working with the homeless can be substituted for a BA degree. 2 . At least 2 years administrative and/or management experience. 3 . Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team. PROPOSED JOB DESCRIPTION: SUPPORT SERVICES COUNSELOR The Position: Under the Supervision of the Site Coordinator individuals in this position assist shelter recipients in carrying out the activities outlined in the case plan that is developed by the County Case Manager. The Support Services Counselor works with individual shelter residents to ensure they have access to appropriate support services, to assist shelter residents in their search for affordable housing, and provides direct linkage to service providers as needed. Job Responsibilities : 1. Assists client in carrying out the necessary steps to accomplish their case plan. 2 . Maintains the necessary documentation and systems for program accountability. 3 . Participates in the maintenance of the *client file as necessary. 4 . Maintains and utilizes an information and referral system for program and client use. 5 . Develops and maintains a working relationship with community based agencies and service providers . 6 . Prepares reports as requested by funding sources. 7 . Willingness to work flexible hours to meet client needs. 8 . Other duties as assigned. Qualifications : 1 . At least three years of experience working with provision of support services in a social service/mental health/substance abuse treatment and/or homeless services setting. 2 . Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team. 3 . Ability to work well under pressure and to effectively communicate and advocate for services on behalf of clients . PROPOSED WORK PLAN The Homeless Shelter Program will be provided at the Central County Shelter at 2047C Arnold Industrial Way, Concord and at the Brookside County Shelter at 845B Brookside Drive, Richmond. The Homeless Shelter Program will provide shelter and support services for homeless indigent County residents under Government Code Section 26227 and for homeless indigent County residents who are eligible for County General Assistance funds on a space available basis up to 500 of the total beds available. The Shelter Program will provide shelter for 56 homeless single adults at the Richmdnd facility and for 60 homeless single adults at the North Concord facility, with a capacity for up to 100 people during winter if funding is available. The Contra Costa County Homeless Shelter Program will be. a case managed emergency shelter program. The program will operate . 24 hours a day and provide meals, laundry facilities, mail, telephones, and a wide array of on-site support services. . The . maximum stay at these shelters will be a 90 day period to provide residents the 'opportunity. to begin to stabilize . their lives, address the issues which led to: homelessness and develop an action plan to begin to address their particular needs. Assistance is .available on site to. complete SSI paperwork, employment and housing applications, and develop .resumes . Other, support includes .employment counseling and assessment, interview assistance, substance abuse education and- support, AA, NA, and a variety of support groups .. Primary health care is provided by the Health Care for the Homeless team. Referrals are made -for follow up health care services, legal services,- day and residential alcohol/drug- treatment programs, job training and rehabilitation programs,. The Homeless Shelter Program will provide supportive services designed .to assist shelter recipients in working. toward self- sufficiency. County staff work with every shelter resident to develop a plan that addresses their housing, income, and support services needs . The contractor provides support services and the day to day site/facility management. The Shelter Program will be a" colloabrative effort between the Contractor and the County Health Services Department' s Homeless Programs . The Homeless Shelter Program will provide a structured program that is designed to move the residents towards establishing self-sufficiency within a time-limited period. PROPOSED SERVICE DELIVERY POLICIES Services to be provided by the Contractor: 1 . The Contractor will provide shelter monitoring services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. - 2 . The Contractor will make provisions for serving a breakfast and dinner meal each day. A bag lunch, or provisions for lunch. off-site, will be provided. A hot dinner will be furnished by the Sheriff' s Department under an inter-agency agreement with the Health Services Department, or by local churches or service groups . .3. The Contractor will provide blankets, linen,: towels, "laundry soap, and toiletries for use by each shelter recipient. 4 . The Contractor will supervise the coming and going, of shelter recipients - on and off "the property between the hours. of 7 : 00 am and 7.: 00 pm each day. . 5. The contractor will .admit persons to. the shelters only" by referral from the off-site Homeless" Referral Line: The Contractor shall not admit drop-ins to the shelters. 6. The Contractor will cooperate with local law enforcement as to security at the premises and the neighborhood. 7. The Contractor will provide at each site at least two staff (Shelter Monitors) at all times during all hours of operation along with the following staff positions: l full-time Site Coordinator, 2 full-time _Support Services Counselors. There will be l full=time Operations/Volunteer Coordinator to service both sites. 8. The Contractor wil.l. screen, train, and supervise any paid staff and volunteers, excluding County Case Managers and County Home Team staff. 9. The .Contractor shall administer the program according to . Policies and procedures specified by the Health Services . Department and the Board-. of Supervisors 10. The Contractor will meet with local government officials and representatives of the neighborhood or other community groups when requested by the Health Services Department. 11 . The Contractor will report disenrollments to the off-site Homeless Referral Line on a daily basis . 12 . The Contractor will provide the basic living conditions to include but not limited to: beds, laundry, serving food, mail, phone access and a safe living environment. 13 . The Contractor will provide: enforcement of the county rules and house rules, house meetings, establishment and maintenance of a resident council, clean-up procedures, orientation to shelter and. rules, coordination of volunteer efforts and donations, and van service in Central County. Services provided by County 'Staff: 1 . The County will provide 3 Case Managers who will provide evaluation and assessment services to the recipients of the Shelter Program." They will work with the shelter recipients and the Contractor. after developing _the initial Case Plan, which includes evaluation of the need for continued shelter and establishing referrals and linkage mechanisms 'for housing, employment, Nand -health service providers. 2 . The Case Managers are responsible for admission decisions and shall be responsible for conducting the Assessment and Admission Interviews.. If, the Assessment .and Admission Interview determines that the homeless applicant is appropriate for the program, a date for establishing a Case Plan shall beset. . Initial case plans will be developed within 3-5 days of residency at- the homeless shelter. 3. In the event that a shelter recipient is deemed inappropriate for the program, continued .occupancy at the. shelter will be terminated. 4 . Case Managers shall be responsible for developing case plans . Case. plans. shall be developed in conjunction with .the recipient. Case plans and any modifications thereof shall be a written document signed by the Case Manager and the shelter recipient to indicate mutual agreement to the plan.. In the event that mutual _ agreement to, the case plan can not be reached following the good faith effort, of all parties, the case plan developed by the staff Case Manager will be utilized. The case plan will be reviewed on an -on-going basis and continued occuparice at the shelter will be dependent upon the good faith efforts of the recipient to follow the signed case plan. GA shelter recipients work plans could ' include input from their Social Service Worker so `'that the case plan. at the shelter is inclusive of what needs to be done for GA/Social Services . 5. Following the Assessment and Admission Interview which determines appropriateness for Shelter Program services, a Case Manager will be assigned to work .with the shelter recipient in developing a case plan. Lack of good faith effort to perform activities as designated in the case plan management contract will result in disqualification from the program. 6. The Support Services Counselor will be responsible for working in coordination with the Case Manager to address issues . in the case plan for the shelter recipient that involve housing search and/or assessment, referral, and linkage to other support services applicable to the shelter recipients needs . 7 . Individual case files are the property of the County and the only employees of the Contractor that shall have access to these files are the Site Coordinators and the Support Services Counselors . County Case Management staff along with the Contractor employees that are allowed access to the files are responsible for keeping individual files on each Shelter recipient. COUNTY RESPONSIBILITY 1 . The County will provide the Contractor with County approved policy and procedural material related to the Homeless Shelter Program. 2 . The County will provide staff to meet regularly to review program for problems, improvements, advise of necessary programs or to meet with Contractor and local agencies and the public. 3 . The County will provide Case Management staff at each shelter site. 4 . The County will pay for the breakfast and dinner meals (not donated) through the Interdepartmental ,Agreement. with the . Sheriff' s Department. 5. Shelter reservations will be coordinated by the. Centralized Screening and Reservation Unit managed. by the Health. Services Department. 6. The Health Services Department of Contra Costa County shall monitot. and evaluate the program. The Contractor., in coordination with the County shall collect statistical information do the manner requested by the Health:.Services Department. PROPOSED PROGRAM MONITORING PROCEDURES In order to the provide the highest quality of services in the shelter and to provide the maximum level • of safety for all individuals staying in the shelter the Homeless Program Services Director will monitor the contractor in the following manner: 1 . The Homeless Program Services Director will attend case management meetings at each shelter site once a month. The purpose of this site visit will be a general update of how the program is working and to gather any feedback from individuals working in the shelter. 2 . The Homeless Program Services Director will work in collaboration with the Homeless Program Ombudsperson and the consultant appointed by the Health Services Director to monitor the shelter sites. 3 . Monthly written reports will be completed by the Contractor to include but not limited to: general shelter information about events in the shelter, staff changes, specific program changes, shelter statistics for the month, any problems or concerns that need to be addressed, in-kind services and donations for the month, and other information about the shelter programs as appropriate. 4 . Issues and concerns that the County has as a result of the program monitoring will be expressed in writing to the Contractor with a stated date for a reply, that is to include an action plan to address/resolve the stated issue/concern. GENERAL SHELTER INFORMATION Client will be expected to complete a telephone screening/intake . When client is referred to shelter will be expected to complete an interview assessment . Client will be expected to participate in a Case Management Program_ Clients may stay 90 days within a 2 year period. Client is not required to use 90 days during one increment of stay. Client will receive breakfast and dinner at shelter. Client will be expected to follow rules, including a curfew which is 7 :OO .p.m. (See CCC Rule Violation Penalties - attached) . Upon approval from shelter staff, client may be allowed occasional "night outs" . CONTRA COSTA COUNTY EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM RULE VIOLATION PENTALTIES: 1. UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY DO NOT ADMIT 2 . ARRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL* DO NOT ADMIT 3 . FAILURE TO PROVIDE ID BY 3RD DAY AFTER DO NOT ADMIT ENTERING SHELTER 4 . ASSAULT* *INDEFINITE S. THREAT OF BATTERY* *INDEFINITE 6. PROPERTY DAMAGE *INDEFINITE 7. STEALING *INDEFINITE S. USE, SALE, OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL OR *INDEFINITE ILLICIT DRUGS ON THE PREMISES 9. SALE OR SHARING OF PRESCRIBED DRUGS *INDEFINITE 10. REPETITIVE PATTERN OF ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE 1ST NOA, 1-30 DAYS 2ND NOA, INDEFINITE 11. ABUSIVE, LOUD OR PROFANE LANGUAGE/RACIAL SLURS 15 DAYS 12 . LOITERING, SOLICITING OR PANHANDLING 15 DAYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD 13 . CARRYING A WEAPON* 1 - 30 DAYS 14. REFUSING TO LEAVE THE PREMISES 15 DAYS 15. DISRUPTIVE .BEHAVIOR* 1 - 30 DAYS 16. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH SIGNED CASEPLAN 1ST NOA, 1 - 30 DAYS 2ND NOA, 60 DAYS 17 . UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE/FAILURE TO ARRIVE BY 1 - 15 DAYS CHECK-IN TIME 18 . LEAVING THE SHELTER AFTER ADMITTAN 1 - 3DAYS CLIENT SIGNATURE CONTRA COSTA C01 NTY HOMY] U5 SH�.I.TER JULY 1, 1995 - JUNE 30, 1996 DRAFT HSD PROPOSAL INCOME * DSS/General Funds FY 95196 $687,706. * HSD 50,053. + adm * PHA 45,418. • HUD/TH Grant - Administration 20,927. * County CDBG- Econ. Dev, Planning Grant 22,500. * State EMAP fit 20,000." * State FESG 110,376." • FEMA XIV 57,000.-- • County CDBG FY95/96 751000.** * County FESG FY 95 100000. " County FESG FY96 1001,000."x* * Concord CDBG FY95 15,000. * Anticipated Savings: Food 299700. * Other grants 26,000.** * CCC Homeless Trust Fund 1049000.** * Donations/fundraising for inter relief _ 5.000,** TOTAL $1,488,680. + $1,488,680.+ EXPENDITURES * Shortfall FY 94/95 $51,849. $51,849. CENTRAL COUNTY SHELTlER• * Operating Expenses $355,931. (+ 9,300 ) * Utilities,etc. 25000. * Food 81,691. * 1.5 FTE Case Managers 50961.4. * Repairs & Maintenance 6,000. • Lease 66.521. SUBTOTAL $595,057. $595,057. BR0aKSIFESH�TER: I * Operating Expenses 5301,161. (+ 5,520) r * Utilities,etc. 5,000. * Food 76,246, * 1.5 FTE Case Managers 53,412, * Repairs & Maintenance 61QU- SUBTOTAL $447,339. $447,339. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: " 1.0 FTE Services Director $48,808. * 1.0 1+"TE Development Director 581537. " .63 FTE Planner(Sept. - Jude) 37,625. " 1.0 FTE Omsbudperson 50,053. " FTE Support Staff' " Econ. Dev. Consultant 10,000. " Office space, telephones 1.0,840. Program expenses 12,600. " 2 Computers,software, TA 2„400 SUBTOTAL $240,423. $240,423. HOMELESS REEERRAIIIN : * .75 FTE Homeless Referral/ ecretary $37,418. (PHA) ” .25 FTE Temp. Staff 8,000. (PHA) " Office space, telephones 7,060. * Supplies,technical support 4,200. * C&S Hotline SUBTOTAL S56,678. + $56,678. SUBTOTAL: $1,391,346. WINTER BELIIEE: (pending funding) * 10 beds @ $20,/day x 121 days $24,200. or " 40 beds @a $20./day x 121 dais 96,800. $96,800. TOTAL: $1,4880146. INCOME Key.- funded ey:funded " grant application submit tted "" will apply during FY95f96 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUE: Throughout the County there are numerous encampments of homeless individuals . The County has known of many of these encampments for sometime but not until recently have some of the encampments become a public issue through complaints from individuals or businesses . Many of these encampments are located in areas that have individual community members concerned about their personal welfare and safety, or impact on businesses, parks, or public areas. The County Health_'Services Department has attempted to be somewhat proactive in our approach- to encampments by having the Homeless Ombudsperson doing limited outreach to the people staying in these encampments. :The majority of the individuals living in these encampments are men, sometimes their partners are present with them. On occasion we find adults with their children staying in the camps . People in the encampments may have already been through the shelter program or other programs, some have lost their primary source of income and do not know the proper procedures to get their GA, SSI or other subsidy re-instated. Many individuals have substance abuse or mental health problems, and many are not ready or willing to access existing services even if they were available. Occasionally we will find people with serious persistent mental health issues; most often these people are not staying in an encampment but are living off on their own. The issue for many people in these encampments is that there are not adequate services or facilities for them to be tracked into to address their issues of homelessness. Many people have used services but not been able to maintain themselves within the given structure of these programs. For someone who is living in an encampment, it may take several attempts of communication and establishing a relationship before the person is willing to trust someone and begin to look at options of programs or other services that may begin to address their needs. There are some reasons that make it necessary to remove a camp from one specific site. Some of these reasons are : fire danger, the amount of trash that has accumulated, sanitation concerns, or because complaints surfaced after individuals have noticed the encampment and have become uncomfortable with its presence. Under these circumstances the camp will need to be removed. Policies and procedures have been established by the Board of Supervisors for moving an encampment . Cleaning up or moving an encampment is a short-term solution and does not address the root of the problem. � f LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS: The long-term solution to the problem of encampments involves the establishment of a proactive outreach team that identifies encampments, makes site visits on a regular basis, establishes a relationship with the people living in encampments, and then begins to work with individual people on accessing services that are needed to address their issues of homelessness . This team would consist of a substance abuse specialist, a mental health specialist, and 2-4 other people with advocacy and case management backgrounds . A team such as this was proposed in a HUD grant this past year but was not funded. The Homeless Program, along with other programs that interface with the individuals living in encampments, believes that the development of such a team should be the focus of addressing the issue of encampments. Another part of a long-term solution is the development of emergency shelter beds in the County that are a bed for the night program. This approach to emergency shelters would open another option for the people who do not want to come into a case managed shelter that has a program and rules that must be adhered to in order to , keep your bed. Strictly emergency shelter beds, would allow people who are living in encampments to receive limited access to some resources and would give them a safe, dry, place inside to sleep overnight. The other area to be addressed in the development of long-term solutions is the need for adequate services for the people that are staying in encampments. This involves exploring a wide range of programs and services that could address the issues of this population and offer alternatives that individuals living in the encampments would view as viable. IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS: An encampment is under the legal jurisdiction of the city in which it is located, or the County if it is on unincorporated property. The Homeless Program has been developing liaisons with the police departments in a number of the cities with homeless encampments . In the event that an encampment on County property has to be moved, the following procedure has been used over the past few months and will continue to be used as other policies and procedures are developed: 1 . Public Works in consultation with the Health Services Department will identify camps that are to be removed. 2 . After identifying a camp, Public Works will notify the Homeless Program' s Ombudsperson of the camp and the day of the removal . 3 . There will be a 10 day period between the identification of a .camp and the actual cleaning up and removal . During this time the Ombudsperson will make contact with the individuals staying in the camp and attempt to link them to appropriate services . 4 . On the day of removal the Homeless Program' s Ombudsperson will be present to talk with the encampment members and assist them in whatever way possible. This procedure was discussed at a joint meeting of the Health Services Department ( Homeless Programs and Mental Health) , Public Works, and Department of Social Services. On October 11, 1995 there will be a ,meeting with Department Heads to discuss and develop a cross departmental policies and procedures for working with homeless encampments.