1. Presented by - CARES, Inc. August 17, 2017
Coordinated Entry
Presented by - CARES, Inc.
August 17, 2017

2. Discussion Goal Define Coordinated Entry (CE)
Define the four core elements:
Access
Assessment
Prioritization
Referral
The Importance of CE
Next Steps

3. What is Coordinated Entry:
The Coordinated Entry System is an approach to coordination and management of housing and supportive services that allows providers to effectively an efficiently connect people to interventions that will rapidly end their homelessness.

4. Goals of a CE System: Effective Inclusive Prioritizes Person Centered
Low Barrier
Informs System change
Community agreement on how to triage based on a households needs
“No Wrong Door”

5. Four Core Elements
Access
Assessment
Prioritization
Referral

6. Access
Access refers to how people experiencing a housing crisis learn that Coordinated Entry exists and access crisis response services.
The first contact that most people experiencing a housing crisis will have with the crisis response system is through a coordinated entry access point. Access points play a critical role in engaging people in order to address their most immediate needs through referral to emergency services. Access points also play a critical role in beginning to determine which intervention might be most appropriate to rapidly connect those people to housing.

7. Access
Full Coverage - CoC must ensure that Crisis Response system is accessible throughout entire geographic area
CoC funded street outreach programs must be linked to the CE process
CE process must allow for people to access emergency services with as few barriers as possible
CE process must use same assessment tool at all access points
CoC and ESG funded programs and support services are well marketed to eligible persons
CE process must ensure safety of persons fleeing Domestic Violence
CE process must ensure privacy protections are extended to all participants from access through referral

8. Assessment
Assessment is the process of gathering information about a person presenting to the crisis response system. Assessment includes documenting information about the barriers the person faces to being rapidly housed and any characteristics that might make him or her more vulnerable while homeless.

9. Assessment Assessment tool should be: Tested, Valid and appropriate
Comprehensive (provide access to all services within the CoC)
Person-centered
User friendly
Housing first oriented
Sensitive to lived experiences
Collect Relative information for potential options for housing and supportive services

10. Prioritization
Prioritization must be based on specific and definable set of criteria that are made publicly available through the CoC’s written prioritization standards and must be applied consistently throughout the CoC.

11. Prioritization Prioritization may include the following:
Significant health or behavioral health challenges or functional impairments
High use of crisis or emergency services (emergency rooms, jails, and psychiatric facilities)
Vulnerability to illness or death
Risk of continued homelessness
Vulnerability to victimization, including physical assault, trafficking, or sex work
Other factors determined by the community and based on severity of needs

12. Referral
In referral, the group of persons with the highest priority is offered housing and supportive services first.
As required by the Coordinated Entry Notice, that referral process must be guided by an intentional protocol that follows the CoC’s prioritization standards as documented in its written policies and procedures.

13. Referral Goals
The Coordinated Entry notice establishes several requirements for the referral process:
Lowering barriers/Housing First- The CE process and participating projects must strive to identify and lower barriers to project entry
Referral process will apply to all housing and support services projects funded by CoC and ESG as well as un- funded projects
Referral process must take into account how enrollment in a certain program may affect person’s eligibility for future assistance
Referral process should be aware of wait times, be person centered and comply with Fair Housing laws.

14. Key Participants: CoC Funded programs- Required to participate
ESG Funded programs- Required to Participate
Non-CoC or ESG Funded homeless assistance programs
Not Required but Key to Success

15. Benefits of coordinated Entry:
Persons experiencing housing crisis are:
able to locate housing faster
be referred to only projects eligible for
get access to projects referred to
and appeal rejections through a transparent process

16. Additional Benefits
Housing and supportive services are able to avoid inappropriate referrals, better manage participants through a centralized prioritization list and comply with CoC and ESG program requirements
Public and private funders are able to be confident that the most vulnerable are being served and have access to better data for improved reporting and planning
Coordinated Entry can help ensure that the resources in the homeless system are used as effectively as possible

17. Next Steps
Meet all new requirements put forth by HUD for January 28th, 2018
More guidance to come on:
Data Management
Four Core Elements
Engaging Community Partners

18. Coordinated Entry: What to Expect
Coordinated Entry is an evolving practice
New research, models and assessment tools are constantly being created
A CoC Coordinated Entry process must be flexible and responsive as new information is released from HUD
CE must incorporate changes and improvements recommended through annual evaluation and consider additional guidance from public and private funders

19. Link(s) to important hUD Documents
CE Core Elements Guidebook:  Elements.pdf
CE Self Assessment:
HUD CE Policy Brief:
CPD Notice establishing additional requirements for COC: a-Continuum-of-Care-Centralized-or-Coordinated-Assessment-System.pdf