Diversion: A Key Element of a Homelessness System Coordinated Intake & Assessment Accessing Homeless Services in Cuyahoga County Centralized point of access PIT Counts 2016: 1891 2017: 1736 Focuses on ensuring that limited shelter and housing resources are targeted for those with highest needs, highest barriers

Why is Diversion Important? We understand that: The shelter experience is traumatic for everyone Homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring Diversion for all!! -short-term & permanent Reduces the number of families and individuals entering shelter Limited shelter resources Very traumatic experience Rare, brief and non-recurring Discuss short-term and long term options

How Does This Work? Supportive Conversation Individualized, person-centered, quality problem solving Identification of other resources and supports Opportunities for mediation and conflict resolution Financial support helpful, but not necessary Review points listed *Person centered *Explore natural supports *Mediation and conflict resolution *Financial support *Fortunate to have SSVF prevention and diversion

Coordinated Intake & Diversion Workflow through Coordinated Entry system **focus on diversion questions and add natural conversation points

Diversion at the Front Door! Success in Numbers Diversion at the Front Door! 2016 Assessed Diverted Singles 4,017 15% Families 660 28%

Ongoing Diversion Diversion training for shelter staff Diversion exploration as part of the Housing Plan discussion Recognizing shelter experience is traumatizing Trauma informed approach to explore ongoing diversion Recognizing that many get to shelter and say it might just be better with “Grandma.” “If I ask my aunt, she might just let me stay, especially since I’m starting a new job next week.”

Diversion Training LaTonya Murray latonya.murray@frontlineservice.org 216.274.3307 Diversion Training Derek Pratt Dpratt@clevelandmediation.org 216.621.1919 Option #2