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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 10271998 - D1 l TO:' BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ,, Contra PHIL. BATCHELOR, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FROM: WILLIAM B. WALKER, M.D., HEALTH SERVICES DIREC '� OSta County DATE: October 23, 199$ fl"rA ; K SUBJECT. PLANS FOR THE WINTER RELIEF PROGRAM FOR THE HOMELESS SPECIFIC REQUESTS)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. AUTHORIZE the Health Services Director to undertake winter relief activities at the two funded County shelters in November or December 1998, as dictated by the weather. 2. AUTHORIZE an increase in the capacity of the Concord shelter from 60 to 100 beds for the winter relief period. 3. AUTHORIZE the County Administrator and Health Services Director to explore the feasibility of providing an additional modular building at the Brookside shelter in order to expand capacity in West County. 4. AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, in cooperation with the Contra Costa Times, to advertise for contributions from the general public to assist in offsetting the additional cost of the winter relief programs for the homeless, known as"Centra Costa Cares- Help the Homeless for the Holidays." This will include soliciting funds from the cities and major employers in the County as well. 5. AUTHORIZE the County Administrator and Health ServicesDirector to take additional steps to increase capacity for men at the Brookside Shelter by four through the addition of two bunk beds in the men's dorm. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATOR£ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE 4ZL--7-^7 1-- fa APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S)- ACTION IGNATURES:ACTION OF BOARD ON 0dohej, 27. 1298 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ASSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS E DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED r C ontacSee Page 3 PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF cc: SSUURO/ISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR �' �,-` DEPUTY 6. ACKNOWLEDGE the work of the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program in again operating its rotating shelter for women and families in West County. 7. ACKNOWLEDGE the work of the Interfaith Coalition and other in providing dinner meals for the homeless in Concord. 8. ACKNOWLEDGE the work of St. Vincent de Paul in operating a rotating family shelter in Central County. BACKGRQUND: Summary of 1937-1998 Winter Relief Program Last year, with the completion of the rehabilitation of the Concord shelter, we were able to expand winter relief beds for homeless individuals to 100 beds at that site. Last year we were able to provide shelter for the largest number of homeless individuals since the County shelter system was developed. Brookside shelter in West County, however, has essentially no bed flexibility for winter relief, so,without bringing in an additional modular building, we are unable to expand capacity in West County in the existing facility, except for four beds for the men. There is clearly a need for additional shelter capacity, particularly in West County, and especially for the winter months. In addition to shelter for homeless individuals, homeless families have been identified as a high priority by the Homeless Continuum of Care Advisory Board. As always, increase in shelter capacity at Concord during the winter requires some increase in staffing to maintain basic resident and staff safety, as more residents are crowded into Concord. Last year, we instituted for the first time a change in shelter protocol, which is especially appropriate for winter relief. Individuals participating in winter relief had only to follow shelter rules, including a TB/health screen by the Health Care for the Homeless Team, to remain in the shelter for 30 days. Basic winter relief does not require participation in the more structured case management program. If an individual is interested in moving into the regular 90 day shelter program, that transfer can occur on a space-available basis. This two-phase shelter program, instituted last year, is part of our ongoing homeless shelter approach. Winter Relief 1998-1999 Winter relief activities at the two County-funded shelters will begin during November or December, depending on the weather. Traditionally, winter relief activities in Contra Costa County have operated during the months of December through March. Because of the severe weather last year, winter relief' activities were extended through the end of April. Winter Relief Capacity This year we are again proposing to increase the capacity of the Concord Shelter to 100 residents for the winter period. The increase will require the hiring of additional staff in order to maintain a level of safety for both staff and shelter residents. We do not the same ability to increase shelter capacity at the existing Richmond/Brookside Shelter. We may be able to implement at least a temporary capacity increase at Brookside by having an additional modular building installed -2- at the Shelter. We will explore the feasibility and cost of doing so. Such a building would allow us to increase the capacity for women from 8 to 18. Since we have such a limited capacity to serve women at the existing shelter site, it is most appropriate to devote any increased capacity to women's beds. We can also increase the men's capacity by four through the addition of two bunk beds in the men's dorm, increasing the number of men's beds from 48 to 52. Given the physical constraints of the Brookside shelter building, we would need to use the shower facilities at the County Work Furlough building located ',adjacent to the shelter to expand the shower capacity for women. Capacity expansion at Brookside would require the addition of one staff person each day during the swing shift hours. Winter Relief Activities for Families Families have been identified by the Homeless Continuum of Care Advisory Board as a key priority for homeless services. This need is especially acute during the winter months. The Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) will again operate its rotating shelter for women and families in West County, The GRIP shelter will begin operation during the latter part of November and run through March. St. Vincent de Paul's rotating family shelter has begun again in Central County on September 28 and will run for at least 23 weeks. The agency hopes to extend the rotating family shelter operation throughout the full year if enough congregations volunteer for the additional time. In addition, St. Vincent de Paul hopes to replicate this program in East County for 15 weeks to cover the winter months. St. Vincent de Paul began the Central County family shelter last year, and has successfully implemented this important service in Central County. The County Homeless Program is working with the family shelter to provide mattresses and assistance from the Health Care for the Homeless Team. The Community Services Department will also be obtaining funding to supply emergency vouchers for families during the winter. "CONTRA COSTA CARES - HELP THE HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS- Again this year we hope to work with the Contra Costa Times to run ads asking the general public to donate funds to help offset the additional costs of serving the homeless during the winter months. In addition, as we have done in past years,we will write to the major employers in the County and the cities and ask them for donations as well. cc: County Administrator Health Services Director Public Health Director Brenda Blasingame, Homeless Programs -3-