Shelter, Diversion, and Case Management I am excited to be here today to share information about the Diversion Program at Pillars in Appleton

Introduction Luanne Witthuhn Diversion/Prevention Case Manager Tara Prahl Supportive Services Director

Diversion Workshop Training Agenda History Goals Prevention and Diversion Benefits Diversion Program Break Out Session Success/Program Development Diversion Workshop Training Agenda

History Beginning Project RUSH Diversion Programs Back to area

Diversion/Prevention Program Goals Diversion/Prevention Avoid Shelter Support/Resources Stable Housing Self Reliance The goal of the Diversion Program is to avoid a shelter occurrence altogether.

Prevention Diversion Difference Remain Housed Imminent risk of homelessness (Category 2, 3, 4) Coordinated Entry Department of Energy Housing and Community Resources Prevention Seeking Shelter Family, Friend, Hotel Coordinated Intake United Way/Local Donors Diversion Goal Stay housed who would otherwise be difficult and more expensive to re-house coming out of the homeless system. Its cheaper and more efficient to keep these folks housed. 

Community Homeless System Participants Increase Self-Reliance Reduce Traumatic Stress from homelessness Shelter Financial Assistance Resources Improves quality of life Benefits Community Homeless System Reduces Cost Reduce Shelter entries Conserve Shelter Resources Reduce Shelter Waitlists Additional Homeless Resources Help families safely avoid a traumatic and stressful homeless episode.

Diversion Program Present to Shelter Case Management Success

Shelter Assessment Consumer’s Housing Situation Program Determine Eligibility Services Provided/Interventions At Imminent Risk of Losing Housing (Imminent risk of homelessness) Prevention Prioritization Assessment HMIS Category 2, 3, 4 Housing Search Rental Subsidy Other Financial Assistance Utility Assistance Case Management Mediation Connection to Mainstream Resources Legal Services Requesting Shelter (“At the front door” precariously housed and/or experiencing homelessness) Diversion Eligibility Assessment 3-7 days (At the front door” currently experiencing literal homelessness) Shelter Outreach No where else to go Have Shelter (Imminent risk of homelessness, not currently seeking shelter) Resources Referral Information No Assessment Tara: Eligible households are typically in a doubled-up situation or are staying in a hotel or motel that they are paying for themselves, and are able to remain their housing situation for 3-7 days. A variety of diversion strategies are used to avoid a shelter stay. Bubble 1: Present to Shelter                1.1: A presenting household meets with Shelter Client Advocate (SCA) The household must be actively seeking shelter.   Households who are not currently homeless but are at imminent risk, will be referred for Prevention services   Bubble 2: Assessment 2.1: The Shelter Client Advocate completes the Diversion assessment with the head of the household All households actively seeking shelter are provided with information, referrals and resources to self-resolve while they are on the waitlist Households who are staying on the street will be immediately referred to the Street Outreach team If a client is able to stay where they are for 3-7 days and are appropriate candidates for diversion case management, a referral in HMIS is made to the Diversion Case Management Program.

Case Management Overview Diversion Assessment/Personal Journey Psychosocial History HMIS (Home Management Information System) Resources Housing Search Landlord Contact Security Deposit/Rent Goals/Stabilization Support families through focused problem-solving. Deliver expertise, encouragement, and a flexible combination of short-term services and one-time financial assistance, Eligible assessment Service Point Enough low income housing – if someone only has $880 - $900 income per month cannot afford $600 - $700 rent Landlords not willing to take a chance on participates One bedroom & 3 bedrooms Bubble 3: Case Management A 1:1 meeting with the Diversion Case Manager is scheduled At the initial 1:1 meeting, the case manager will complete a deeper assessment of the household’s current situation and their journey thus far The case manager completes an HMIS assessments and formally enters the household into the program Note: An HMIS assessment was specifically created for the Diversion Program with HMIS administration to best capture data and their case management journey. The household collaborates with Diversion Case Manager to complete housing search and placement and secure housing Once, housing is secured, the case manager and participating household set goals together to ensure ongoing housing stability and further self-reliance The case manager meets with the client at 30, 60 and 90 days to review goals and provide support to participating households (meetings, phone conversations, support and guidance may be provided outside of the 30, 60 and 90 day meetings if needed and requested)  

Homeless Management Information System HMIS Assessment Psychosocial History: Background, History, Personal Journey

Mental Health Services Appleton Housing Authority Main Stream Resource Leaven St. Vincent DePaul FISC Job Service Mental Health Services ADRC Forward Services (FSET & W2) Appleton Housing Authority Partnership Referrals – to other agencies

Housing Search Landlords Security Deposit Rent Went to showings, Called LL with Clients Creative ways to keep families houses - Gas Cards o identify possible housing solutions based on their own available resources rather than those of the homeless response system.

Goals/Stabilization Anyone can hand you money 3 goals 30-60-90 days Where are you now? Where would you like to be? What can you do to get there?

Break Out

Diversion Data January 2019 – June 2019 October 2018 – June 2019

Success Stories Success is primarily measured by securing housing and avoiding a shelter stay. While housing is the primary focus, other outcomes are assessed to identify if a client has furthered their self-reliance; this includes, but are not limited to: purposeful activity through volunteer activities, employment, education advancements, improved financial wellness, reunification of children, avoidance of repeated occurrences of homelessness

Growth Referrals Policies & Procedures Relationship Program Development Growth Referrals Policies & Procedures Relationship Tara: Luanne One exciting continuous improvement process we’re working on right now is a Pillars assessment. Ideally, we’ll be able to better assess anyone who’s connecting for services at any touch point in our agency and be able to direct them to the right needs (housing only, shelter, Diversion, Community Resources, Prevention etc.). With additional assessment we may be able to even better divert folks from feeling as if they automatically need to enter shelter. It’s still in the infancy stage, but I’m really excited about the prospects.

Prevention vs. Diversion Program Goals Benefits Diversion Program Key Takeaways Prevention vs. Diversion Program Goals Benefits Diversion Program Assessment Case Management Success Program Development

Questions

Contact information Luanne Witthuhn Diversion/Prevention Case Manager Phone: 920.734.9192 ext.130  lwitthuhn@pillarsinc.org Tara Prahl Supportive Services Director Phone: 920.734.9192 ext.121 tprahl@pillarsinc.org

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