Homeless Hotlines Norfolk Regional : Sally Berger Virginia Beach : Robin Gauthier & Stacey Hammell
ForKids History of Hotline- Norfolk 5 primary call sites-Outdated resources ForKids merged all calls Nov 2010 Took over the Norfolk Call Center Sept 26, 2011 Call Point went live Feb 6, 2012-thanks to OTEH Desire to provide a responsible Call Center with reliable information.
Service Approach Triage Pre-screening Current Resources Emergency Overnights (ERO) Relationship with Norfolk Dept of Human Services Average of 120 incoming calls/day
Collaborations Norfolk Central Intake Regional Paradigm/commitment Relationship with all shelter programs Relationship with all community programs Update all resources/financial supports for residents every 90 days
Data Management & Statistics 2,261 HH from Oct-Jan (undup) 1,109 HH Turn-away 1,095 calls for rental assistance 146 calls for utility assistance Staffing needs
History of Hotline- Virginia Beach Department of Housing issued RFP. Samaritan House was contracted to operate Connection Point. Model-single location central assessment & referral center. Provides 1 st level screening for homeless & housing programs. Has mixed authority-emergency funds. Does not authorize shelter admission. Went live on May 23, 2011.
Service Approach Target-homeless & risk of homeless. Available by phone or walk in. In-depth screening is completed to determine eligibility. Callers eligible for services are scheduled for face to face meeting. Community referrals provided. Callers referred to appropriate programs, applications faxed.
Collaborations Connection Point works in partnership with… Regional emergency shelters and hotlines. Planning Council-Homeless Prevention Program (HPP). Landlords & utility companies. Subsidized housing programs. Samaritan House.
Data Management & Statistics Screenings are entered into HMIS Why is information collected? To determine extent of local homelessness/housing trends. Identify service gaps & future resources. Assistance provided May 2011-Feb 2012 $71, of financial assistance dispersed to 68 households. 76% rental assistance. 9% utility assistance. 5% emergency shelter (hotel/motel.)
Data Management & Statistics (Duplicated Calls to Connection Point)
Future Trends- Norfolk and Virginia Beach Centralized regional Call Center. Resources available for entire region. Technology and Data Collection Support regional collaboration. Increase prevention services. Additional staff & volunteers to improve efficiency.