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SR-10A (4) , . ~ f ~ nA 1" - ~ / .- // bS.Jr:tas:f'share hsd strpt anual997 tas Council Meetmg' September 23, 1997 Santa MOnica, Cft:.c ) 2 3 1997 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: City Staff SUBJECT: Transmittal of the FY1996-97 Annual Review of the City's Coord mated Plan for Homeless ServIces and Recommendation to Hold a Public Hearing INTRODUCTION This report transmits the FY1996-97Annual Review of the City's Coordmated Plan for Homeless Services and recommends the City Council hold a public hearmg on the Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services pursuant to Municipal Code Section 2.69.030. BACKGROUND The Public Safety Initiative (now MUnicipal Code Section 2.69.010 through 2.69 030), adopted by City Council m September of 1994, required the City to adopt a plan to coordmate services to homeless Individuals and to report on the effectiveness of thiS plan annually. The City's coordinated plan for homeless services was adopted by City Council m May of 1995 as part of the City's Consolidated Plan, a multi-year plannmg document reqUired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ThiS report transmits the FY1996-97 Annual Review of the City's Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services and Related Issues 1 ~I n. A :I;'J .. :.I t; ,~ ~ . _: 'I; -~ SEP'~ 3 1997 ~ In connection with the annual review and pursuant to MUnicipal Code Section 2.69.030, a public hearing IS required to gain Input on: .. the Impact of the City's homeless population on other residents of the City; .. the effectiveness of the delivery of services to homeless persons by the City and vanous social service agencies; .. the cost of those services; and .. the changes whIch should be made In the plan In order to carry out Its primary goals and objectives Notice of thiS public hearing has been sent to City Boards and Commissions, Neighborhood ASSociation Board Members, the Chamber of Commerce, the Santa MOnlca-Mallbu School District, Santa MOnica College, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authonty (LAHSA), City-funded organizations, and other relevant community groups A display ad was placed In The Outlook on September 19, 1997. DISCUSSION As detailed In the attached FY1996-97 Annual Review of the City's Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services, the City continued to Implement Its coordinated plan for homeless services In compliance with goals detailed In MUniCipal Code Section 2 69.010. Program outcomes for FY1996-97 indicate a hIgh level of achievement: Of the 1,533 persons enrolled In City-funded programs, 49% obtained emergency shelter; 21 % obtained transitional hOUSing, 18% obtained permanent hOUSing; 17% obtained temporary employment; and 20% obtained permanent employment. City staff continued to work With service providers to assess program outcomes through the Automated Case Management System, and to refine the system through ongoing 2 evaluation, revised programming and training. In FY1997-98, City staff will work closely with service providers to evaluate the Impact of Federal welfare reform and address emerging needs when feasible FISCAL/BUDGETARY IMPACT This report has no budgetary Impact. On June 24, 19971 the City Council approved City funding of homeless programs In FY1997-98. RECOMMENDATION City staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing to gaIn mput on the FY1996-97 Annual Review of the CltylS Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services. Prepared by: Barbara Stinchfield, Acting Director Julie Rusk, Manager Tracy Scruggs, Sr. Administrative Analyst Human Services DIvISion Community and Cultural Services Department ATTACHMENT FY1996-97 Annual Review of the City's Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services (September 1997) 3 Overview FY 1996-97 Annual Review City's Coordinaled PIl;l1l for Homeless Services and Related Issues This report provides an overview of the effectIveness and cost of service delivery to homeless persons by City-funded social serVices. Additionally, the report discusses the computenzed case management tracking system and the availability of public showers available to homeless persons. Attachment I of this report summarizes how the City complies with the stated goals of Munlclple Code Section 2.69.010. Attachment II provides an overview of homeless funding since FY1993-94. Attachment III Includes comments submitted by Santa MOnica homeless service providers. Effectiveness and Cost of Dellverv of Services Homeless services In Santa Monica are based on a "continuum of care" model characterized by the following components: outreach, emergency assistance (I e , food, clothing, showers, lockers, mailing address), Intake and assessment, emergency shelter, case management and employment serVices, transitional housing, and permanent housing. These components work together to assist a homeless IndIVIdual or family move off the streets and Into permanent housing and employment. Case management and other supportive services are provided throughout the continuum of care as depicted below: Outreach Services -. CONTINUUM OF CARE MODEL Intake & Assess- -. ment Emergency Shelter -. Transitional Housing -.. Permanent Housmg Emergency/ Day -.. Services .. Food I .. Clothing I .. Showers Coordinated Case Management and Employment SerVices .. Lockers .. I ntake and Assessment . Mailing Address .. Benefits Advocacy (General Rehef, AFDC, etc) .Cnsls Intervention . Mental Health Services ..Information/Referrals" Health Services .. Drug/Alcohol Intervention .. Money Management .. Employment Search Assistance .. Job/Skills Training .. Employment Placement .. Housing Search Assistance 1 In FY1996-97, the City supported nine agencies, including Ocean Park Community Center, Salvation Army, St. Joseph Center, Step Up on Second, Chrysalis, CLARE Foundation, Dldl Hirsch Community Mental Health Center, New Directions, and Wests/de Food Bank. Each agency's Program Plan, Included In the CIty's Grantee Agreement, specifies how delivered services Will address this contmuum and effectively assist homeless Individuals In returning to a self-sufficient status. Each agency IS reqUired to mOnitor the effectiveness of service delivery by generating regular progress reports off the Automated Case Management System rACMS) and evaluating client outcomes. City staff mOnitors the delivery of services and chents' progress toward self sufficIency through site VISits and report review. The following table summarizes homeless participant and program outcomes dUring FY1995-96 and FY1996-97. FY95-96 No. Served % Placed FY96-97 No. Served % Placed Total SM Program Participants Placements In permanent housing Placements in transitional housing 1,124 1533 217 (19%) 267 18% 121 {11%) 321 21% Placements in emergency shelter 430 (38%} 748" 49% Placements in pennanent employment Pfacements in temporary employment 127 (11 %) 297...... 20% 83 (7%) 250"''' 17% *FY 96-97 data collected for placements Into emergency shelter Includes the total number of placements Into SAMOSHEL (645) plus the number of placements Into other emergency shelters (103) for a total of 748 placements In FY95-96, data Included only SAMOSHEL placements * *FY 96-97 data collected for placements mto temporary and permanent employment Includes the total number of Job placements through all City-funded homeless programs, including Chrysalis In FY95-96, data Included placements through only those agencies which Implemented the computerized case management and tracking system (which excluded Chrysalis) 2 ... In FY1996-97, City-funded programs enrolled over 25% more homeless persons Into long-term services linked With housing and employment than they did In FY1995-96 ... In FY1996-97, of the 1,533 persons enrolled In City-funded programs, 49% obtained emergency shelter, 21 % obtained transItIOnal housing; and 18% obtained permanent housing While almost half (49%)of the chents enrolled In City-funded homeless programs were placed Into emergency shelter, a significantly smaller percentage of clients successfully moved to permanent housing (18%) These outcomes indicate high attritIOn rates at two Important Junctures. 1} from the POint of enrollment to placement Into emergency shelter, and 2} from placement mto emergency shelter to placement Into permanent housing. Service providers attribute these attrition rates to problems including mental Illness, chroniC substance abuse, or other disabilities experienced by over half of the populatIOn served and the absence of adequate resources to address these problems ... In FY1996-97, a total of 748 (or 49% of the 1,533 served) homeless persons received shelter at SAMOSHEL and other emergency shelters In Los Angeles County, including the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Program dUring the winter Of the 748 emergency shelter placements, 645 (or 87%) were placed at SAMOSHEL. ... In FY1996-97, a total of 82 (or 31 %) homeless persons who received shelter at SAMOSHEL successfully obtained permanent housing. ... In FY1996-97, a total of 103 (or 39%) homeless persons who received tranSItional housing successfullv obtained permanent housing. ... In FY1996-97, of the 1,533 persons enrolled In City-funded programs, 250 (or 17%) obtained temporary employment and 297 (or 20%) obtained permanent employment. While the goal of each City-funded program IS to break the cycle of homelessness through placement of IndiViduals Into housing and employment, outcomes quantifYing housing and employment placements do not adequately reflect all of the outcomes resulting from services delivered. Through narrative reports, service providers highlight much broader program outcomes Including Improvements In Independent living Skills, money management skills, parenting Skills, hygiene, phYSical and mental health, and self esteem. (For additional Information, see Attachment III, Agency Comments.) 3 Cost of Services In FY1996-97, the City budgeted $1,700,881 to fund homeless services In addition, the City acted as a fIscal agent and lead agency for a $592,934 grant from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the expansion of the computerized case management tracking system and supportIve servIces. In FY1997- 98, the City budgeted $1,695,285 to fund homeless services. In addition, the City will administer $431,115 In HUD funds for year two of the system expansion For every dollar of City funding $2.50 of non-City funding IS leveraged. Consistent with MUnlclple Code Section 2.69.010, and In an effort to ensure that each component of the continuum of care eXists In balance to address the divergent needs of Santa MOnica's homeless population, City funds have increasingly supported longer- term employment services and case management linked to hOUSing. In FY 1996-97, City funding for employment services and case management linked to hOUSing represented approximately 45 % of all City funding for homeless serVices, compared to 26% In FY1993-94. In contrast, City fundmg for emergency services has reduced from 46% to approximately 14% of all City-funded services. Attachment II provides an overview of homeless fundmg since FY1993-94 Computerized Case Management Program Fully operational at fIve organizations since January of 1996, the Automated Case Management System (ACMS) provides an automated system for tracking and reporting services delivered Since then, City staff has evaluated system reports, conducted numerous site VISitS with Individual agencies, and coordinated group meetmgs of system users to address Implementation problems Implementation problems Include Inaccurate reports, an extensive need for training, and inputting errors. While ACMS has corrected a number of programming deficienCies and Introduced new features deSigned to faCIlitate system use and enhance service delivery, agencies contmue to experience difficulties with the system. ThiS month, agencies agreed to establish a working group to develop a strategy for further system refinement and change. City staff will faCIlitate the working group. Funding to operate the computerized case management tracking system through October of 1999 IS committed from HUD. Pubhc Showers In an effort to reduce conflicts of usage and minimiZe further disrepair of the faCIlity, City staff reduced the hours of shower operations at Memorial Park from 1 6 to three hours dally beginning In February of 1997. RecogniZing that the reduction In available shower hours presented a difficulty for homeless persons who used the faCIlity, City 4 Council approved Increased fundIng to Salvation Army SHWASHLOCK and St. Joseph Center to support an expansion of available showers by 51 hours weekly dUring FY1997-98. To date, Salvation Army reports that an average of 28 persons shower daily at the expanded SHWASHLOCK program Conclusion. Program outcomes for FY1996-97 indicate high levels of achievements both for participating chents and program staff Staff Will continue to assess service delivery effectiveness, the Impact of the City's homeless population on other resIdents, and the impact of welfare reform, and Will recommend or institute changes for Improvements as needed. 5 Attachment I ComDllance wIth the Public Safety 'nltlatlve The Public Safety Initiative requires the City to Implement a coordinated plan for homeless services In compliance with the follOWing seven goals City-funded programs are addreSSing these goals as descnbed below 181 Goal #1- Effectively assist homeless Individuals in returning to a self-sufficient status Homeless services effectively assist Individuals In achieVing self-sufficiency through hOUSing and employment The chart on page 2 highlights the number of program partiCIpants who obtained hOUSing and employment In FY1996-97. 181 Goal #2- MOnitor the progress of individuals receiving services City staff and service proViders monItor the progress of indiViduals receiving services through the Automated Case Management System (ACMSI and regular site VISits 181 Goal #3. Eliminate duplication of services. Through the use of ACMS and Improved service coordination, duplication of services has been substantially reduced but not yet eliminated 181 Goal #4-Emphasize long-term solutions to homelessness by combined housmg, counseling, and job training City-funded programs emphaSize long-term solutions to homelessness by prOViding services whIch combine hOUSing, counseling, Job training, and Job placement o Goal #S-Provlde non-housing services for approximately the same number of homeless indiVIduals as can be temporarily sheltered in the City. City-funded programs prOVide non-hOUSing services for a greater number of homeless indiViduals than can be temporanly sheltered In the City WIthout serving a greater number of IndiViduals at the "front-end" of the continuum, client attntlon rates would result In high vacancy rates and IneffiCient use eXisting shelter resources 181 Goal #6- Prevent an increase, and wherever feasible, reduce expenditures relatmg to homeless services. The City has sustained a maintenance of effort budget for homeless serVices, With a 3 0% COLA In FY1995-96 and a 2 5% COLA In FY1996-97 The FY1997-98 budget Includes a 2 0% COLA. In addition, In FY1996-97. the City was awarded a three-year grant totaling $1,483.925 from the U S Department of HOUSing and Urban Development (HUD) to pass grant funding through to organizations to enhance the computerized case management system 181 Goal #7.lmpose reasonable time limits on the provISion of services to the same individuals. City-funded organizations Impose varYing time limits on the proVISion of services to the same indiViduals SAMOSHEL, SHWASHLOCK, and City-funded transitional hOUSing programs mandate Six-month maximum time limits Attachment II FY1997~98 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW OF HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDING SINCE FY 1993-94 FY1993-94 FUNDING LEVEL: $1.141,39l. GF$t.1t1,397 PROP AUO.OOO FY1995-96 FUNDING LEVEL: S1,611.7tl GF $1,4159,9118 PROP A $45,000 CDBG $1111,7215 FEDERAl.. nO,OOO ". ~ .- -- - . ',IIF I Trll oS )... j., CASE MA.NAGEI,4EPfT LINKED TO HOUSING" ,.. ~ FY19j4-95 FUNDING LEYEL: $1,487.859 GF $t,3111.608 PROP A $35,000 COSG $71,353 , /= ~~,~ ~_l'l""->"I iU~ ~ TRANSITIONAL H ..I FY1996-97 FUNDING LEVEL: $2.248.486- GF $1,34B.4152 PROP A. $44,400 COSG $244,20"0 FEDERAL $813,434 FY1997-98 FUNDING LEVEL: $2,128.400 GF $1,3117,11111 PROP A $42,520 COBG $245,100 FEOERAL $4I51,B15 CASE MANAOEME"'- L ..~~:; '_ I ~ ~ ~ ...(O.q ,.. Attachment III Agency Comments Board of Directors Chmnnan Cohn P Shepherd Hmes \-Ice ChaIrman HolI~. Burgm D,rar Drg.ral Lommunu:anolls PresldenliE WCul,' e Dm~clor \Iara \[anus Chrysalr.< ~ecretal'} Thoma.< F Hlmmd Hm,rod La". Office. Treasurer TImothy S Dubois The l..d..-ard Thomas CompanU's Jndlth 8bmton. Ph D RHR In'ernarlOnnl R,chard C Bleil Il"elll'olllr P/ummu:y Ummgemellt Penelope 8m,. n KtB(.IT Lenore "'Hareo Dowlmg Rw HomW College :\Iartm \\ Early OpportumrU's jor Learmng Delllse F.lInlllld. Ph D CD Tuh Cemer Ronald 'Ii Hoge lIngneTek. lne Edward lIhg IllIg COIl'\lructwn Lampat1\- Man Elleu KaoolT Latham & n-arkms Kalle Locke 4spur Rl1ho Rebe".. :\el>on Moore Vorrhcrn Trust Bank 1\l,muel Pastor Jr ec ~aflla Cm: Dand Pro-liist"r n'e.rfall Intenor S>lrems Chari., Rnkm JII" Hmwn Producnons C Fdward Slm~on. IiI Cu,hman Realt} (orporl1hon ~ .., Cl{l\~~l(~ I~\: (; 1_ ;'IES "fBRO L;-{~ I-I J ()!3S The followmg InformatIon IS submitted by Chrysalis m response to the City of Santa Monica's Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services Chrysalis' third year of service to Santa MOnica resulted In many successes It showed the strongest program growth, a 67% Increase In ItS caseload, smce Chrysalis began In Santa MOnica Through the Job Retention Program, our 90-day retention rate grew from 35% to more than 75%--that IS at least a 45% Increase In clients staymg on the job longer and achieVing self-sufficiency qUicker Chrysalis works very closely and has a growing relationship with other service prOViders to create a seamless contInuum of care and to avoid duplication of services OUf chents' success m finding-and keeplng-a job, depends on many factors, Including hOUSing needs, substance abuse treatment, and their mental and phYSical well-being With more funding from the City, ChrysaliS would be able to provide additional services, such as housmg and child-care Chrysalis has and Will continue to serve homeless and low-income residents of Santa Monica Its clients are the poorest of the poor, wIth average mcomes generally less than $2,000 per year However, many of these clients are highly skilled Just recently, one client, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate, was offered and accepted a $73,000 per year job Chrysalis has seen an extraordinary surge In applicants In the past year, due to an Increased VISibility and to the first ripples of change created by welfare reform A six-month program limit IS In effect for our partiCipants Client activity records are reviewed monthly by their case manager to ensure the client IS making a genume effort conductmg an effective job search The evaluation IS used to motivate and keep clients on track to attam realistic employment goals If the case manager determines the client IS not prodUCing at an acceptable level, then the client maybe terminated from the program The effectiveness of ChrysaliS' programs can be stated by the number of clients findmg and keeping jobs Total job placements that clients received through our services, were far above projected levels For FY96-97, nearly 200 clients In Santa Monica found permanent jobs through Chrysalis and another 55 found temporary positions Feedback from Chrysalis clients IS an Integral part of Its program Chrysalis encourages ItS clients to take part In ItS operation at every level For support and motivation, our Job Retention Specialist tracks 51 6 S ~1 ." ' 'I S" t e t . L,;. A" g e .' > '. C" i; F,; T " 'a 900' 3 . T f i . 213 _: 895 - ~ ~ ~ - . F" \ (21 3 __ 895 - 7" 2 .,.;> }!J37 Lfi'(.-oln fJou/el"a.r-d. 5ul::.':' llo;i~..'i) li1/!.flJr;'f,; 90-i04-45fJj. T.f.. ('jIO} 392-411-=-. Fa'-" ;-~10.- 314-:}(j"j7" ~ trf C-l-fj-\N c; ~I~e:; 1~! \.: l~~; r 11: R (J l~ {; l~~ I:) -P: ~ ~ -....J~'o..J Chrysahs' clIents for a minimum of two years after they become employed Clients continually express their appreciation for thiS continuation of service Helpmg unemployed people get back to work IS tremendously cost-effective Chrysalis spends approximately $1,416 per chent, which the city pays one-half, or $708 Other employment related programs, such as JTPA, costs between $3000-$5000 per chent The community definitely recoups much of that cost through reduced social service expenses, welfare and health-care savings, and taxes Additionally, city revenue IS generated from consumer spending from newly employed residents It IS recommended that the City of Santa MOnica provide more beds to ItS needy population, more affordable pnvate housmg for those who could be fortunate enough to live on their own and incentives to employers to provide more Job opportunities for both, the skilled and unskilled There IS a great deal of community support for programs In Santa MonIca, but more Job opportunities are critical for everyone to be able to achieve their goals 5 1 6.s ./d u- . ,; 5 t y t i' { III L (:.; --0.:1;1 g e ;' f' ~. C ,-t " j .r (I t" ,.: 'd 9 0 fj 1 3 . j r: f .." 2 1 3.: 8 9 5 - ~ -: .- 7" . F {{ \: _0- 2 ] 3 ~- -8 9 5 - :-or 2 -: 2 1 8 ~ 7" L t ~1 :: :J i 1':' B 0 ~ l e l-' d i'",i .. 5 ,-~ 11 1" i~ } { 0 ro . I; a I C.t l . .f t= r ~~ :.:i 9 0 --t 0 4 - -4 ~ (j 5 .. T p l t 3 1 0.1 3 92 - 4 } 1 7 . Fa.... ,- 3 1 0 j" ~ 1 4 - 2 0 8 -:: ;: :_.;; "(. >"" , L:'-;- " CLARE'~ .' 2'''+'J .". . ". j'.,[ F"~ -\. . ..... ,~g-. R=~\')~'~'~c" .\,:. ED l'll')' '1:(1 . ~/. i'"{if September 8. 1997 TO: Juhe Rusk, Manager Tracy Scruggs, Sr AdmIlllstratIve Analyst Ruth Kmg, ExecutIVe DIrector Ellen Sa\\i'Yer, Deputy Director Frank. Lewandowski, Manger John Roberts. ServIce Coordmator RevIew of the CIty's Coordmated Plan for Homeless ServIces FROM: RE: FollO\vmg are the responses from the CLARE FoundatIon, lnc to the Human ServIces DivlSlon request for homeless servIce goals complIance Please feel free to call If you need further mformatIOn regardmg thIS reVIew Thank you agam for all your asSIstance to CLARE's homeless programs over the years. GOAL #1 EftectIvelv assIst homeless md,vlduals m returmn~ to selfsufficlencv -- . - ~ CLARE's coordinated case management has been exceptionally effective in assisting homeless and substance abusers m becommg sober. responSIble productive members of socIety by provIdmg personalized case plannmg Our program conSIsts of assessment of clIents' recovery plans, and other self sufficiency needs includmg housmg, employment, legal and medical issues The use of CLARE and referrals to other partIcIpatmg Santa Moruca agencIes proVIdes a strong basIS for collaboratIOn and goal attamment GOAL #2. A/omtor the vrOf!ress ofmdlVlduals reCelVmf! servIces - - - - Momtormg IS accomplIshed by weekly one-on-one encounters between case worker and the homeless partiCIpant GOAL # 3 Ehmmate dupbcatlOn of servIces CLARE has not had a problem with duplIcatIOn of servIces. If such a problem should arIse, case workers can correct or adjust the mIshap WIth the use of the ACMS system GOAL #4 EmphaSIze long-term solutIOns to homelessness by housmf!. counselm~ and - - WIth at least a thrrd of the homeless populatIOn needmg recovery servIces before they can become successful m securmg employment and housmg, It IS essential that we address tlns problem fIrst m our case management planmng Other agenCIes provIdmg case management Without addressmg recovery needs fIrst, wIll not have POSItIve outcomes As a commuruty. we must proVIde comprehenSIve case management that emphaSIzes recovery, and tranSItIOns the homeless from tills recovery foundatIOn to self suffiCIency After a solId base of sobnety is 1 18-1l)thStreet.~dr.ta.Vlo'llca.C'" g0404 1310314-6200 Fax (3101 396-6974 TOO <310"'430-4164 establIshed then we can and do provIde contmuous case management m other areas that need addressmg, lOcludmg the housmg and employment Issues GOAL #7 Impose reasonable tzme llmlts on the prOVISIOn of serVIces to the same IndIvIduals Havmg had 27 years of expenence m workmg wlth substance abuserslhomeless, there IS no absolute tIme lme that can be used Each person IS dIfferent It IS Important to realIze that a homeless person who IS addIcted has a much more difficult road to walk toward self suffiCiency Given the nature of theIr disease, It IS absolutely essential that the recovery process IS completed satlsfactonly before any of the other Issues can be handled We differ from other agencies that have non-addICtIve clIents who may reqmre less tIme to achieve self suffiCiency However, if we help mdIvlduals to mamtam theIr sobnety from 3-6 months, then we fmd they are receptive and eager to begm the process of employment WIthin one year, at the most. we find that mdlvlduals wIll have a sohd recovery program, employment and/or Job trammg, and housmg Due to the vanatIOns among mdlvIduaIs, and theIr personal hlstones, each case vanes, but the most important element is the one-on-one case management that beglOs With theIr recovery Impact of the Cay'S homeless populatlon on other rf;sldents of the Otv A commuruty is only as strong as Its weakest IlOk WluIe the plIght of the homeless IS dlstressmg--to the reSidents and VISItors It can be a real annoyance as well It IS Important that we contmue to address the needs of these lOdlvlduals and help them to turn theIr bfe around By provIdmg programs, such as CLARE's that address the baSIC problems of addictiOns. we help mdIvlduals change their hves for the better and proVIde good value for the tax paymg reSIdents The elfectlveness of the dehverv of servICeS to homeless persons by the City and varIOUS socral servIce af!enczes. Santa MOllIca IS very effectIve In coordmatmg a vanety of programs that collectively address the needs ofthe homeless seelang self suffiCIency Because so many of the homeless suffer from addIctive diseases, CLARE beheves that more dollars allocated to recovery programs m additIOn to case managment of employment and housmg Issues, would be dollars well spent. The cost of those serVIces The FY95-96 figures indIcate that the CIty spent $1,484 per case management chent What pnce can be put on resemng a fellow human bemg and mamtaming harmony III our commumty? Compare the cost of recovery and case management With the cost of mcarceration, emergency room ViSIts, publIc thefts and CrIme and other statIstIcs Impacted by the homeless, and the figure becomes very realistic and economical The changes whIch should be made In the Cay's fundmg plan t() better achIeve the goals above As mentIOned above, because of the umque nature of the recovery process, and Its Importance to the homeless populatlOn, morc funds should be allocated to agencies hke CLARE that deal both With recovery Issues, and employment and housmg Issues The recovery case management IS much more mvolved and demands a more mtense level of mteractlOn 2 NEW DIRECTIONS, INC. 11~1 \'('1ls1urc Blvd., VA Dldg 116 lo.... Angeles. CA 90073 Tel (310) 914-4050 Fca (1IO) 914-5495 September 9. 1997 Julie Rusk, Manager Human Services Division City of Santa Monica FAX 310 458-3380 Dear Ms Rusk. On behalf of New Dtrections, Jne ) I am pleased to present this progress report to the City of Santa Marucll on the contract between our two agencIes for the construction of a ccomprehenslVe homeless !l.ervices center for veterans As per our agreement, New DirectIons has fwshed its rehabtlitation of a 60,000 sq ft vacant building on the grounds of the West LA Veterans Administration Medical Center The work on the building began in May of 1996 with the removal and a.batement of hazardous lead-based palnt and asbestos materials A.ctual c{)nstmctlo~ began on October 1, 1996 under the careful supervision of the Los Angeles Depanment of HouSing) wmch generously offered to act as lead agency for the collaborative of eight government agencies (the CJty of Santa Monica included) which underwrote the $5 4 million capital fundmg for tms regIOnal project New Directions received a Certificate of Occupancy for the budding on JllIy 29, 1997 and filed Notlce of [construction] Complehon on August 8, 1997 WIth the development of the RegJonal Opportunity Center for HDmeless Veterans, New DirectIons has added another 156 beds to the 18 III the tv.....o West Los Angeles. resldential facilities we have been operating for several years On September 2nd, 1997) twelve men moved into the new regIonal facility as our first occupants, Several more veterans, from a long waIting list we have, Wln be moving in this week_ Our plans are to slowly, over the course of a year. bUild up to capacity, taking the tlrne to mre staff and gamer the services of numerous agencies that will be helping uS In OUf work We are very excited by these agency collaboratives and the services they bring to the veterans in our program, For instance, because of the poor job prospects facing our clients, New Directions has brought together SJX agencies to provide comprehensive employment services at the Regional Center LA Umfied School Dutnct, LA Trade. Tec.hmcal College, UCLA, Chrysalis. Meal on Wheels and the State Department of Rehabilitauon These SIX agencies will c.ombine theIr re50\.lfCeS and expertt!ie to asse$~, New Directions p2 tram, and place mdigent and dispossessed veterans Into Jobs wIth livable wages The collaborative also has the capabiHty to support the residents In these jobs, encouraging the veterans who complete our long-term substance abuse program to become employed, self- sufficIent and no longer a burden to SOClety There is a virtual army of dispossessed veterans on our streets, variously estimated at 20/)00 to 30,000 strong in LA County alone According to a RAND study, 36% of the male homeless populatIon on the Westside are veterans AgencIes like Ocean Park Commumty Center say that half of the "lients coming to their drop-m center are veterans Because of the great need for effective services for these veterans, we are very thankful for all of the suppon the City of Santa Monica has shown fOf the New Directions Regional Opportunity Center and our work, Thank you very much for your tIme and conSIderation OCEAN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER A Network of Emergency Shelters & ServIces September 8,1997 Juhe Rusk, Manager Tracy Scruggs, Sr AdmInistrative Analyst Human SerVIces DlnslOn CIty of Santa MOnica 1685 Mam Street POBox 2200 Santa Maruca, CA 90407-2200 Dear Juhe and Tracy, I apprecIate the opportunIty to share my thoughts on the acluevements of the Ocean Park CommunIty Center for FY 1996-97 I have many dIfferent proJects, therefore, my comments will be broad and applIcable to all projects of OPCC As mstructed, I will comment on some of the Issues outlmed by the Pubhc Safety ImtIatlve I have chosen the Issues whlCh I feel are most rmportant to address to the CIty Council Goal #1 - Effectwely aSSIst homeless mdwlduals m returmng to a self-suffinent status The OPCC mISSIOn statement was bUllt of the phllosophy of asslstmg homeless people toward self- suffICIency All of the programs at OPCC wluch proVIde case management promote self-suffICiency as the baSIC objectIve and goal for the chent Homeless people are retummg to a self-suffICient status, however, the process to aclueve thIS goal IS tIme-consummg Tlus process reqUlres a conhnuum of care serVlCe dehvery, whIch mcludes emergency serVIces and shelter, transItional housmg, mtensIve case management, affordable housmg and aftercare support serVIces Goal #2 - Momtor the progress of mdlVlduals recewmg serVIces Ocean Park CommunIty Center has made great strides m unprovmg our documentation and traclang of serVIces to chents durmg FY 1996-97 I attnbute our Improvement to the nnplementatlOn of the CASEWATCH system and sohd feedback from Tracy and Juhe Johnson durmg the last SIte VISIt Clearly, there were major problems WIth documentatIon and trackmg at the OPCC Drop-m Center and Daybreak Day Center ImplementatIOn of CASEWATCH naturally encouraged an automated system of trackIng, as well as unproved manual trackmg systems developed for comparmg statIsucs Goal #3 - Elmllnate dupIzcatwn of serVIces I have always encouraged chents to be as resourceful as pOSSIble when advocatmg for theIr needs Because agenCIes are hmIted m what they can prOVIde, It IS Imperauve that clIents access several agenCIes to meet theIr needs DuplIcauon of sen.ces IS not the same as hvo case management agenCIes workmg together to place a chent ill permanent housmg The serVIce 15 not duplIcauve, the credIt for the placement IS ThIS 15 the phdosoph1callssue that I have contmued to dISCUSS regardmg the CASEWATCH system The Issue IS not ehmmauon of duplIcatIon of servIces, but the ab1lIty to demonstrate the coordmated plan of homeless servlCes that has eXIsted among the provIders for years 245 Hill Street. Santa MOllica, CA 90405-4197 (310) 399-9232 · Fax (310) 399-1695 Page 2 Juhe and Tracy September 8, 1997 Goal #4 - EmphasIze long-term solutlOn to homelessness by combll1ed housmg, cOlH1selll1g, and lob tralmng OPCC's Adopt-A-Famlly and Shelter Plus Care programs are examples of our efforts towards long-term solutwns to homelessness Both programs are extremely successful m placmg and mamtammg mdlVlduals and fanllhes m permanent housmg These two programs utdlZe the philosophy of aftercare serVICes whIch support chents m permanent housmg and promotes long-term self-suffIoency Goal #7 - Impose reasonable tune lmuts on the provIsIOn of sermces to the same mdlvlduals OPCC's Drop-m Center has Imposed t1llle IUnIts and restnctIons for emergency servICes based on goals of long-term case management After accessmg emergency serVIces for three months, clIents are encouraged to move towards case management These restnctIons have resulted m mcreased serVIces for case management, mcreased emergency and transItwnal housmg placements, and mcreased temporary and permanent Job placements However, It IS 1lllportant to acknowledge that some chents wIll never achIeve self-suffICIency We are commItted to provldmg baSIC serVlCes to all chents as long as necessary In reference to the cost of servIces and reduction of CIty fundmg related to homeless serVIces, I would ask the followmg questIons to the CIty Councd how much money should It cost to reheve the hungry pams of a chud? Or how much should we pay for case management serVIces that result m a homeless farmly obtammg a new home? I certamly don't have the answer, however, I know that OPCC and vanous SOCIal servICes agenoes are helpmg to end the cycle of homelessness by offermg everythmg from a s1lllple shower to the most cl1fflcult, a SectIon 8 certIfIcate The CIty Conncll needs to conSIder an mcrease m fundmg to homeless serVIces so that serVIce gaps can be addressed and more chents can achIeve the goal of long-term self sufflCIency In summary, OPCC has mamtamed Its hIgh quahty of serVIces and mcreased Its efforts m provldmg mtensIve case management durmg FY 1996-97 It IS my hope that the CIty will support the eXIstmg collaboratIon among the Santa Maruca agenCIes by acknowledgmg all aspects of serVIce delIvery and not hmder the collaborative approach by merely focusmg on a few program outcomes A case manager encouragmg a chromc homeless mentally ill woman to attend a workshop on sexual assault IS an achIevement aIld should receIve CrE'dltl Agam, thank you for takmg the hme to get my mput on these Issues I hope my comments are helpful m completmg your report to the CIty Councll Please call If you need any further mformahon SffilV\l \t.Jba ~ Culpeppe< DIrector of Programs / .. Step Up On 2nd September 10. 1997 From" Susan Dcmpsay. Executive Direc To: Satltll Monica City COW1Cil Re. Coordiuatcd Plan for HomeJe~'i Services Per reque~t Jrom Ms. Julie Rusk and Ms. Tracy Scruggs ofLhc Human Services DIVIsIon. 1 would like to update you on Step Up On Second"s 1996/97 servicl;:s as related to the City's Coordmated Plan on Homele')snc~~. Step Up continues to pro\ljde~ services to individuals in the community who arc homeless as well as having a history of severe and persistent mental illness. It is important to note that each person who wishes to (IVail thcm~c1ves o[the Step Up program. mU5t go through an Intake process. When we have: their nan1C. social ~ecurity number and date ofblrth, WI: arc able to "runB this infurmatlon on the LA County'~ Management Information System to ~c if the individual i~ receiving any services 1tom another agency. If so. we refer that client back to the agency or uwe oner a program they do not, we conununicale that information and work together to bring the person to a stable, productive level of functioning. It is m1p0l1ant to nole chat not all homeless persons in Sunla Momca with a mental illness arc: on the MIS system in which case we need to use the City's Casewatch to check ifthe individual is already receiving case munagentcnt In this way we do not duplicate services. An pt::rl>Ons receiving case mllnugemcnt servlc.es at Step Up under the Santa Monica C'ontract arc "tracked" on Ca'5ewatch lo monitor their progress Although the system seems to be rathcr slow and not ~lways accurate, it is a g1311t step to eliminating duplication of services and keeping mformation curr~nl As you are probably aware. Step Up offers a variety of services to homeJe!'t; persons - bac;ic~ su"h as food, ...howcrs. phone access. mailing address. and activities as well as indzvidualiLed case management for some under our current Santa MOnica contract. Since there 15 not acJ~quate rund'i to provide each chent to have an assigned case manager. we cannot guarantee unduphcatcd services to those people Yt1thollt a ca<;e manager. Currently, there IS not adequate funding in Santa Monica or the Los Angeles County Department ofMcntnllIe.l1th that will provide a case manager for each clIent m need. T mU!iit emphdsize that the long-term solution to homelessnes!!o. especially with a person coping with severe and peJ'Iistcnt mental 1 ~2,~ \\.~'Olhl 'lfl.!..1 ~1t111.1 \.1LlI\1\ <l, ( ahfLlnll.1 f)l~IOI- [122 Phone n 10) ~IH-6S~t) I .lx n Ifl) 39..t-/'iXi'i ~ iIlm.~S's. IS ~n~ management A cll~e manager assists with housing and lob training to acc()mp1t~h those goals, Goal #5 is one that 1 do not agree WIth m total Since there is limltl,;d housing in Santa Monica, , l~ellf we can provide ca~e management to more person:; "as can be tcmpOfl1l ily "hcltcr~'d In the t'lty" Wi.:' call find dccommoddhons L11 We~t Los Angc1('s or rUTlhc-r 1 <.L~I tmd then they will UI;C '\CI vit~~ in thc~c aredS rather than staying homclcs~ m Santa Monica. It t~ not Ibble that they will return to Sdnltl \1onicd for on~oil1W: ~crvlce~ if It mc~nl) a long hu... trip or otht:r forllls of t l<ln'>portat Ion Thty WIll use what IS c1oSt:st to them Gn.lll/6 is a re<lo.;(,.>nahlc policy but dlLlicuh to attain You can set your limit - there wlll always bt! ["er,>ofN nceding the servIce. E~pccially \'.'lth Wc!fal e Refurm. Goal #7 is nor dppmpriatc for p~rwns ~lfh mt:nlal illness to impose a rc<.trfcflon on rime to provld~ ~er\lICC, MO~l will need lifelong support to maintam Sl(lbllity. llov-ever, they will need It"......, hopcfillly, as time goes on. Someone nced~ to be available In strcssfullln1C'> 1 bchcvc there has ocr.;n tremendous stndes in how homeless per...ons affect Lht: city The low tolerance lur unacceptable behaviors should contll1l1e The public should abo continue to reeci"" ~upporl to ignore pdnh,lJldlcl'S and ulllkr'itand and have compa~~lon for pcr"ons who llre ~trug.e.llIlg to rt:Wl n to a ...tahlt' and functioning lill. \VESTSIDE FOOD BANK POBox 1565 . Santa :Momca, CA 90406. 310/3 I 4- I 150 Fax 3 I 0/314-003 0 September 9, 1997 To: Julie Rusk, City of Santa Monica From: Bruce Rankin, Westside Food Bank Re: City Hearing on Homeless Services Julie, I would like to bring up two issues that could greatly affect the context of services to homeless and low income people in Santa Monica. 1) Perhaps the most dramatic change brought on thus far by federal welfare reform has taken effect last week. This change is the termination of food stamps for most legal immigrants. County-wide I 97,000 legal immigrants who received food stamps in August have been informed that they no longer qualify. I calculate that this number includes about 450 Santa Monica residents. Locally, this cut will have the effect of removing about $375,000 of federal food assistance from Santa Monica residents each year. It will also cause more people to turn to food pantries at a time when pantries are capable of only very modest expansion of service. Already this week, Infoline, the county-wide food assistance referral system is experiencing a four-fold increase in calls for help. Undoubtedly, some local families who are living on razor-thin budgets will become homeless. 2) As of today, the Governor still has not shifted from his decision to halt the state funding which would make National Guard armories available as cold weather homeless shelters this winter, as they have been for many years in the past. Locally, this may have the effect of greatly reducing the number of westside shelter beds this winter. In past years, the armory shelter program has offered more than half of all the shelter beds available on the westside during the period of December, till March. Among the many effects of the loss of armory shelter would be the loss of about 400 meals per day for homeless people in our community. This would put a great deal of pressure on other local sources of food assistance. * * * SERV1CE . TRAINING . RESEARCH September 10, 1997 0101 HIRSCH COMMUNI1Y MENTAL HEALTH CENTER To: Jpporttd by: "rod WK) 'S A'lgClcs COWlty Ocpartmeo; ('f ~laIHcalll' 's An~lc' Ccooty DeVQIrtM~r-t of =alth ServlCes 's An;eie-l' CO\l"ty Dtpal"'merlof IJI1lre"'s al'ld F.1I"I']v Ser\-J~$ "oed HoslM3e$' ChaTlI;e! ;:Vtf e,tv GUldanee Cllmc GUIld '} crLoS An~rcs ty o'lngie",'lKJd Re: Comments on the City of Santa Monica Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services oard of DilTCtot'il nl SUItor. ,VIS Cl1ac ..~~t> rtld C, Gc>pr ~ "rllf Glover ."',. A lb........ DR' III Hu'.ich rllathel J.-cltwn pj. P r~nc: Kolodzlc!~1 Ph D 1'11rII K "'I,ll.. Sf ~11Q1 Onetl'<O\l: /1.10:>= 'Rl.t"'~ ," l R}'do- _ ~ Sehenke! hsri Sl>arpc ~L'" StcUler .rtbaH Sl~w:ll" R." .., P.... MI R.e.~A-oe yO\,~ Our agency's efforts under the Coordinated Plan for Homeless Services began In November 1996. Prior to our partIcipatIon in the ooordinated case management system the contraCtual limitations on our funding often made it difficult for US to comprehensively meet the full range of needs of homeless persons comxng to us for mental health and substance abuse services . City funding for homeless case management servIces at our facility bas made it far easier for our clientS to obtain supportive housing services dunng the course of their treatment. In addition, we are now able to Identify which of our clients are receiving case management services through other agencIes. thereby. avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort. Deen oftbe Board "TII SMOOT ll'dfftt llAIASHNl EllD ~v.t,i\.~ VL" Pre~hieJ1~ tlLlh1E C DOLCE e~' I'SY FlANIGAN .. P",S1lkn' ATOUcr 5 STEM .e PY'ellloent >.; CARON $= ,YRA M PJlADO rtla~ The City"s focus on documented program outcomes in the Coordinated Plan is consistent with current trends In human services administration. We support this approach, but we also urge caution in the reliance on numerical outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of such a broad effort. While data such as the number of persons placed in housing IS an Important indicator of the plan '5 success, other positive outcomes may not be reflected in these numbers, especJ8.lly 10 the short term. For example. the Coordinated Plan has resulted In new workmg relationshIps among organizations that changes the configuration of services available to homeless persons. The outcomes of such reconfiguations may not be Immediately seen in the aggregate statistics, although for certain individuals the outcomes may be extremely positive. ttlltivc SI1lf1': .OBERT JOHNSTO"l M II >\ ~lIti"C Director rA S, CURRY Ph D 'oc".ale Ellecuhw o.~ oN F GARCIA. M P l., Cl;tOl" Research &. ProgrIM ~~eIOl)l'n~1 ,,,..,. S H'\.\Al.U.. ~tor F'~l.l1];:.e &. Adml~1 ;trallQl' "Al'o'E E McWAM '.! D dJcaI D'1tc'~r Ul SEf7..5ll. ..:tw Comm\lnr,- ll.tlll19'l! The CIty'S Coordinated Plan for Homeless SelVlces has been thoughtfully formulated I would urge the City to evaluate the plan usmg a broad range of information, both quantitative and qualitative. Smce ImplementatIon of the plan IS stili in Its early stages. the City should aHow the plan to move forward and should not consider substantial changes to it for the near term. in f-Ae.rnJrlom 1:1$. IICINQPON COIDIJ HI lneM A::e PresiCler-t 4160 South s.puJvttdcllIYd. . Clllwtr Cltr. CA "2""'88 Adrr.w~lSlrOfion and P-ogrcm 3' 01390-661 0 · Cile."'1t SeMce9. 3' 0/390-6612 CrtsIs Services ~, 0(390-8896 . falc 310/398.5690 SQ u <l) [ < SNlAP "":I ~ g ~ ':: <J'. :;-'hchae; E S ~IcCar:hy PresIdent CJ.rDi F Anc.etsuTI. Esq V lce. President Gre g:\1 SacOIan Secretary Dame: Gene~tl Treasurer ~Iembers: E"'e~e~( C A!exander Judy Bunker. R K P Dr L0Uis F D'c;la Room Fadk Gary Frohl1c:-t. :\1 S Tne~esa Kar~l1uk. L C S W DaVld K.lJ"lcuse )'lar:i E i\"ahck. Esq Lll.:r:e ::\"e'},;man K.ltho::rme P3.Sp.1l1s. Esq Chrs~cDi1.er Rled. M D ExecutIve Dlcector :-iywe[ '.1./ SUT'S -\SSlstant Dlrector "-aYl'e C -\C3lnS la-it <t(J; 3[4 J Contact' H)'wel 5mls (310) 586 i632 FOR HDU:DL\. TE RELEASE AIDS CASES DECLl:"lE \-VHILE HI"" I~FECTIO:O; SPREADS' PEOPLE \"ITH AIDS COSFRO::"iT CH...\.XGL'G EPIDDUC Yesle~day's r,.ews Iron tue Cent~s :or DIsease Contcol that :lc'v cases of .~DS have declmed for the ::rs~ time ~s very welcooe and long o\-erd~e Ho\-\ever, other detmls of~he CDC's report are cause for great cor.cem and mcreased acr.:on For exampie, the number of AiDS cases among women !ll nsmg more qUIck! rhan among men. and sex wlrh mfected men has over.:a.'<en drug use as me Ieadmg cac.se of mfectlOn among women. From 1991 through 1995. the number of women dIagnosed \Vlth AIDS Increased by 63 pe,cem versus l~ 8 percent for men In addlCton. re;:or'"S trOIT. communrrv-based orgaruzatlOns se~mg people \''It.~ HIV sho"'" an alar:n:r:.g lTIerease u: case load A[ Santa ;...lomca ,AlDS ProJee~ ($YV\P). more than i 00 people are now recervmg servIces for the tirst tlIDe:n me agency's five year r.1story 'The CDCsrecer:t senes ofannO\lIlceme~l1S about the ceCll..'1e m ,he dear.1-j rate ane the c.edme m the :','..iLlber of cases of AIDS lS very 'velcome, 01.:t It dlS~lses a.'1 :mcerc:ner:.[ of HIV :'ilfecnons ,hat S~lU grows e.ally '. sale. H:'\~ei SillS, Exec~tlve Dlrec~or of:he Santa :Vfornca AIDS Project Our cliem serVIce team IS ovenvheimed w1th :nqmnes from people who \\lar;.t access to new medlcauons ane a chance at !de Our educa~lOn team battles me mcreasmg :l11spercepnon that AIDS 1S curable and t~lerefore no longer a senot;.s rlsk", Sald Sims .Today. we're a:mounc;ng a strategIc planrung process wmeh \'<1][ hetp us find ways w deal 'Nith the :-apdly changmg A1DS eplderruc on the WestSide of Los Angeles". saId Slms 'The plan \\1iI e,>;:anune SIvH.P 's furure :ole m HIV servtces. gathenng mp:.:t from [b.e broader communny as well as people ,';lth HIV and AIDS' P~ovldmg HIV serVIces and support IS no longe~ busmess as usual". Sims saId. 'Vv"e neec to eXaInille every part of our work crltlcally and ImagmaIlvely' "\Ve !Jel1eve that e'icrycr::e ilVlr:g \'V1th HIV deserves equal access ~o care" said SlillS. and 'we recogIhze our specIal role In helpmg our dIer.ts s~aOli1ze !heIr Itves Only me:'! W1jj ~hey be:lefi[ from ne,\! mec.!lcatlOns and:he new hope they bnng' Over 500 cases of-\IDS ha\e oeen reponed ill me area sen'ed by S~Lo\? m dle last nvo years. bur the number of people \..lm HIV mrectlOIl :s 'hought to be at least three n~es :~at number In ,he last 5n months. S:.-L\P has seen the number of people ""1m BPi who are homeless. mentally IiI mGior substance users swell to 60% of :he totai case~oad - up from arour.d 3000 3.t the begInmng of 199':" Santa Moruca A:DS P:-o]ect. founded ill 199~, serves the people orthe \VestSlde \"lth comprehens,ve case mar.ageme:J.t and :nnova!1ve ecucauon programs SL1.Ce operung, S:VL-\P has served over 250 peopie Vvlth AJDS, ,eaehed I-tundred.s ofilOme!ess people \\Olth HIV NeVermon mformauon c:eated a ~ode! program to educate men who '-Lave sex w1th men The agency also offers :eer:. peer eciucat:on ?rogr;;m:s :n loc::!.; mlcc!e.md illgh schools 'VhlCh iave :-eaehed over 15 000 srucen!s SlI!Ce 1993 ,..... ~...; s.:., \J- ~ ....1:i.....::~ E!:;.j...:=./';~:: ;:..s~:o....-~ ".;l:: .... i:'- ....... l' ;.:~: 4 :-2~.:;..58: -3\1~::I . =;.~( 3~::..5e5.:5":'~ :; j.,,1;.... 5 ...., a::: _ s ~ a : i -:.... i