Coordinated Entry - Supporting DV Survivors: Innovative Practices/ Emerging Best Practices Series: Connecticut’s Approach September, 2018

Agenda Landscape of services in CT CT Coordinated Entry 101 Collaboration in Connecticut How the system works Lessons Learned Q&A

CT Coordinated Entry 101 – Domestic Violence Map

CT Coordinated Entry 101 – Housing Map

CT Coordinated Entry 101 - Geography

CT Coordinated Entry 101 - Process 211 is the universal front door to our system Specialized Housing Contact Specialists handle all housing crisis calls Provide a high level diversion screening If client cannot be diverted – they are referred to the CAN of their choice All Housing Contact Specialists are licensed HMIS Our Coordinated Entry system also includes: hospitals, State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, State Department of Housing, and Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), outreach projects, etc.

Available resources DV system provides: DV shelter Transitional housing for DV survivors Minimal number of DV-specific PSH units Lethality Assessment Program Risk assessment Safety planning Legal advocacy Counseling for DV survivors Supports for children exposed to family violence 24/7 hotline (including Spanish-language hotline)

Available resources Homeless response system provides: Shelter diversion services (problem-solving to resolve housing crisis and avoid homelessness) Emergency homeless shelter Rapid Re-Housing Transitional Housing Permanent Supportive Housing

Coordinated Access and DV survivors We continue to build our Coordinated Access System (HUD sometimes refers to this as “Coordinated Entry”). We need to serve all populations eligible for housing assistance. This is a federal mandate that CT state agencies have adopted, as well.   “If the CoC’s coordinated entry process uses separate access points for people fleeing domestic violence, CoCs should take care to ensure that people who use the DV coordinated entry process can access homeless assistance resources available from the non-DV portion of the coordinated entry process and vice versa.” HUD coordinated Entry Policy Brief https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Coordinated-Entry-Policy-Brief.pdf

Creating a fair and equitable path to homeless response resources Serving those who have survived DV means creating a specific path to homeless resources that respects their needs.   “HUD encourages CoCs to work with victim service providers within the CoC’s geographic area to establish client driven, trauma-informed and culturally-relevant assessment and screening tools, as well as referral policies and procedures, to ensure that the coordinated entry process addresses the physical and emotional safety, and privacy and confidentiality needs of participants. This includes… access to all available and appropriate housing options and related supportive services…” HUD coordinated Entry Policy Brief https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Coordinated-Entry-Policy-Brief.pdf

Serving housing needs through data while adhering to VAWA CT’s Coordinated Access system relies on the best practice of using housing registries, administered through HMIS. We need to incorporate DV clients seeking housing assistance into those registries in a fair way, while protecting confidentiality – a critical matter of safety for DV survivors.  “CoCs must work with domestic violence programs in their communities to ensure … a process for providing confidential referrals, and a data collection process consistent with the Violence Against Women Act.”  HUD coordinated Entry Policy Brief https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Coordinated-Entry-Policy-Brief.pdf

HUD homeless resources and DV survivors To be eligible for HUD homeless housing resources, those seeking assistance must fall into HUD categories (1) or (4).  Criteria for Homeless Definition, Category 4 are: “Any individual or family who: (i) Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence; (ii) Has no other residence; and (iii) Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing”  Homeless Definition https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HomelessDefinitionRecordkeepingRequirementsandCriteria.pdf FOR STEVE: should emphasize that making housing resources available is intended to help create flow through the DV system, hopefully opening up DV shelter for those in need, who we hope can always be served by that emergency resource when they have no option but to flee their homes.

Specific urgency in DV cases Securing housing for a DV survivor in some cases carries a specific level of urgency. We have developed a system to flag such cases, so that Coordinated Access Networks can assist them as a priority.

Core elements of systemic collaboration Leadership (CCEH/CCADV/State of CT Department of Housing) Check-in With National Partners Identification of shared principles Establishment of policy and protocols Communication Training Collection of Data Ongoing Technical Assistance and Support

How the system works Access to permanent housing solutions in CT is provided by the prioritized by-name-list, that is kept entirely in CT HMIS. When DV providers identify a person or family in need of those resources, they provide a deidentified set of information to CCADV CCADV provides a further deidentified set of information to CCEH Unique client ID (e.g. "CCADV2") CAN in which client seeks housing placement VI-SPDAT score (number only) Housing type required (number of rooms) Chronically homeless (Y/N) High risk priority, per response on lethality screen (Y/N) Point of Contact (at CCADV) CCEH enters the information into CT HMIS – alerts the CAN to the new enrollment DV providers attend housing matching meetings to advocate for their client(s)

How the system works

How the system works Live Tracking Document Client Unique ID# CCEH Submission Date CCEH Acceptance Date Coordinated Access Network Notes CCADV1 12/21/2016 12/21/16 New London Score: 7 Household type:2 High Risk CCADV2 01/03/2017 1/5/17 Torrington, Winstead Score: 10 Household Type:2 or 3 High Risk CCADV3 Waterbury

How the system works - Outcomes Individuals Families BNL Status Family Count Active 24 -Enrolled in CAN (Default) 17 -Enrolled in TH 1 -Matched with Housing Program 6 Inactive 12 -Housed 10 -Unable to Contact 2 Grand Total 36 BNL Status Client Count Active 12 -Enrolled in CAN (Default) Inactive 11 -Housed 6 -In an Institution 2 -Unable to Contact 3 Grand Total 23

Lessons Learned The system is a continuous work in progress – and requires continuous focus Lots of assumptions on both sides about how the other system works Large learning curve associated with both systems Cross system learning necessary for front line staff Unintended outcomes: This system opened doors to other avenues of collaboration like the CT Be Homeful Project (to help families facing homelessness to stay housed) Mainstream providers understand the necessity of a trauma-informed approach, and have incorporated it into coordinated entry intake  

Contact Information Steve DiLella Director, Individual and Family Support Program Unit Connecticut Department of Housing Steve.dilella@ct.gov 860-270-8081