2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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.”

8. Diversion Training LaTonya Murray latonya.murray@frontlineservice.org
Diversion Training
Derek Pratt
Option #2