5.9 what does “improving shelter” look like? a discussion for organizational change (ryczek)
DESCRIPTION
This workshop will explore what it means to improve shelter in the context of two critical areas; (1) measuring length of stay and using that data to improve the program; and (2) quality and effectiveness of the services offered in shelter and the degree to which they are focused on preparing clients for housing.TRANSCRIPT
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WHAT DOES IMPROVING SHELTER LOOK LIKE?
Rhode Island’s OPERATION FIRST STEP PROGRAM
Jim RyczekExecutive Director, Rhode Island Coalition for
the Homeless1070 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
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HISTORY
WELCOME ARNOLD (A RI Revolutionary War Hero) Over 25 years RI’s Largest Congregate
Shelter; 114 Bed Capacity (for unaccompanied Men &
Women); Night-to-Night; Limited to No Effective Case Management; In June, 2006 the shelter was designated to
close and be razed to build the new RI State Police Barracks on the site;
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History (cont.)
Advocates objected to the replacement of Welcome Arnold with another large congregate shelter;
Advocates instead promoted community-based, scattered site apartment and/or group home model;
Intensive case management as a central component;
This resulted in a delay in the closing of Welcome Arnold until March 15, 2007;
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Advocacy Opportunity: The Window
Opens… Leverage existed with Governor’s press
statement: “I have pledged to ensure that every individual using that facility is accommodated before construction begins. [N]othing whatsoever will happen at Welcome Arnold until we have established a plan to ensure that we can provide for the facility’s residents going forward.”
These statements would come back to haunt him…but, not persuade him and his administration to allocate more resources.
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Advocacy Opportunity: The Window
Opens… We won on the new model… We did not win bringing the new model to
scale; W.A. = 114 beds in a Night-to-Night Shelter; Accommodated 297 individuals in Feb. 2007; New Operation First Step Program = 100 beds;
Several challenges emerged in implementation; First 100 beds ≠ 297 people!; Co-operation &Collaboration Issues.
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First 100 beds ≠ 297 people! Funding restricted to approx. what Welcome
Arnold cost = $700,000; A Decentralized, Community based model
would serve 100 clients (70 women, 30 men) at any point-in-time;
There would no longer be ANY emergency women’s shelter in the state;
The transition would happen in a 24 hr. period; Overflow would result and must be planned
for…
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Co-operation & Collaboration Issues
“Silo-ization”& competition for scare resources had not fomented close collaborative relationships;
Further exacerbated by philosophical issues;
Implementation Committee formed to oversee & coordinate the transition;
Made up of executive directors of 5 agencies chosen to replace W.A. with the new Operation First Step Program.
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Cost to the State = $3.8 Million
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PROGRAM AGENCIES
CROSSROADS RI Intake/Assessment
URBAN LEAGUE RI Women (younger)
AMOS HOUSE Substance free/recovery
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES/OASIS Mental Health
HOUSE OF HOPE CDC Women (older)
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GOALS OF FIRST STEP
Assess and Identify Basic Needs;
Provide Effective Case Management & Treatment Planning;
Achieve Better Stability and Sustainability;
Transition to Permanent Housing.
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Program Modifications
Implementation Committee was Re-organized into an ongoing Monitoring & Evaluation Committee;
E.D.s were replaced by Program Directors and those responsible for direct care/case management;
Regular weekly meeting became bi-weekly, then monthly meetings.
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Coordination of Services
Devise Common Policies & Protocols; Resolve Difficult Cases & Programmatic
Issues; Increase Communication &
Collaboration; Promote Intensive Client-Centered Case
Management; Promote good Treatment Planning &
Evaluation.
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INTENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES• Housing;• Employment;• Public Benefits;• Appropriate Referral & Follow Through
on them;• Health & Mental Health Assessment;• Reintegration;
– Family; and,– Community.
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CHALLENGES
100 beds in Community-based program ≠ 100 beds in a night-to-night shelter…this took us years to address;
Collaborating; Communication; Case manger training and expertise; Maintaining confidentiality.
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OUTCOMES
First Year: 38 % obtained permanent housing, as opposed to
11% from the shelter system; 33% increased their income from entry to exit as
opposed to 15% in the shelter system; The most recent year…thing continue to
improve: 63% obtained a positive housing placement; 79% stayed < 6 mos. 60% stayed < 3 mos. 30% stayed < 1 mo.
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QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? OBSERVATIONS? SUGGESTIONS?
Rhode Island’s OPERATION FIRST STEP PROGRAM
Jim RyczekExecutive Director, Rhode Island Coalition for
the Homeless1070 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860