Progressive Engagement & Diversion

Introductions

Progressive Engagement

What is Progressive Engagement? An approach to helping households end their homelessness as rapidly as possible, despite barriers, with minimal financial and support resources. More assistance should be provided to households that struggle to stabilize or who cannot maintain their housing without assistance.

Addressing the realities of our homeless service system There are not enough resources to go around. Everyone who presents for assistance has a different level and type of need. Many people who present for assistance will only be homeless once in their lifetime, and not everyone will become chronically homeless without a high level of assistance. Service providers will, at times, make decisions based on emotions or time constraints.

Progressive Engagement Practices Empower people to demonstrate their resilience and solve their own homelessness through the lightest engagement first. Give people an opportunity to demonstrate what they know how to do, rather than assuming that they know how to do nothing. Add more supports when people ask, or when it is clearly needed.

Diversion

What is Diversion? Diversion is about helping households navigate a safe alternative to shelter, one that is appropriate to their circumstances, through an investment in staff time by dedicated staff, that have specific problem-solving skills, and access to flexible resources to put the solution into action. Diversion is not a refusal of service or shelter.

Prevention vs. Diversion Prevention is an effort to sustain an existing and appropriate housing situation. Diversion is an effort to locate a safe and appropriate alternative to shelter, once a household has become homeless.

Skills for Practicing Diversion Focus on solutions Be objective Maintain confidentiality Explore alternatives Follow the process Remain impartial Keep professional boundaries Embrace self- determination Be honest

9 Steps for an effective diversion practice

Step One: Explain the Process Be upfront about the purpose of the conversation. The goal is to identify what is needed and find them a safe place to stay that night. Shelter is an option, but it’s not the only option. If possible, a more stable alternative would be better.

Step Two: Untested Options Check in about alternatives that have not yet been explored. What led them to seek emergency shelter today? What other options did they look for before seeking shelter? Ask if there are other options they have thought about trying but haven’t taken action on.

Step Three: The Previous Night Where did they stay before seeking shelter? Get as many details as possible about their most recent living situation, such as other persons staying with them, and length of time in that living situation. Ask about living situations prior to the most recent one. Ask if it would be safe to stay in their current living situation for a few more days, or to move back to a previous situation. If previous living situations are unsafe or in a location not meant for human habitation, move on to step 6.

Step Four: Learn the Story Behind the Story Identify why they are no longer able to stay in their current situation. Ask about the primary reason that they had to leave the place they stayed the night before. Ask about additional reasons that may have contributed to their inability to stay there.

Step Five: Looking for a Reason to Stay Attempt to find a resolution to their need to move. Ask if they could stay where they were, if provided with referrals and assistance for finding services or alternative permanent housing. If no, circle back to ensure that all options for maintaining their most recent living situation have been explored.

Step Six: Looking for a New Alternative Work with the person to identify a new alternative to shelter. Ask if they could stay with other family members, friends, or co- workers. If appropriate, offer assistance that would facilitate this alternative housing option.

Step Seven: Self-Report of Barriers and Assistance Needed Work with the person to identify potential barriers to housing and needed resources. Ask what they feel are their barriers to housing. Ask them what they feel they need to find housing.

Step Eight: Identify Current Resources Work with the person to identify resources that they already possess. Ask what resources they have to find a place to stay temporarily or find permanent housing.

Step Nine: Housing Planning Once shelter is identified as the only option, set the expectation that it is part of the process for identifying permanent housing. Ask what their plan is to secure housing, once admitted to shelter.

RECAP

Questions & Discussion