Presented by Crossroads Rhode Island January 14, 2016 Our agency and programs Income, employment, and stable housing Integrating services How it all works Successes, challenges, and lessons learned Next Steps Largest provider of services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island. Mission Statement The mission of Crossroads Rhode Island is to help homeless or at-risk individuals and families secure stable homes. They achieve this by engaging in our range of services including housing, basic needs, shelter, case management, referrals and education and employment services. Our Values: Safety Promoting an environment free from physical and emotional harm and ensuring a feeling of security and comfort to all Respect Acknowledging the intrinsic worth of every person Effectiveness Delivering services and managing the organization with efficiency, professionalism, innovation and accountability We offer a full spectrum of services ranging from emergency shelter and permanent housing, crisis intervention, case management, and education & employment services, and health and dental services. Individual Shelter Programs: Couples Shelter Women's Shelter LGBTQ Shelter Mens Shelter Family Shelter Programs: Congregate shelter Transitional Housing 332 Units of SRO and supportive housing for single adults 129 units of supportive housing for families THP (the old model) targeted families who were already working or had some education and/or training. Some were working part time and wanted to increase earned income. Employment Based Interim Housing (EBIH) is a time limited housing program targeting those with higher acuity and multiple barriers. The goal is to assist the family in gaining living wage jobs and obtaining secure housing. Employment specialists and housing staff from Crossroads work together with the family to help the head(s) of household obtain and maintain both employment and affordable housing. Individualized Employment Assistance focuses on providing support and resources to motivate families to work towards employment, monitoring families progress in program activities, and helping participants overcome barriers-both real and perceived-to successful employment. Steady employment, with financial literacy, adds to long term financial stability Increased self confidence and improved ability to handle stress and new challenges help clients better manage tenancy Increased sense of community may help clients take pride in their accomplishments and their homes Separate departments created silos and inhibited collaborative efforts Fragmented services sometimes meant client needs were not always effectively addressed Case Management Ed/ Employment Housing Client presents to multiple departments More open, collaborative structure allows client needs to be addressed by a team As a result, efforts are better coordinated, the client feels better supported, and unique issues are less likely to fall through the cracks Case Management Housing Education/ Employment Client presents to integrated team In vivo: case managers are directly aware of clients challenges in the home Person-centered, not program-centered: focus on what we can do to make it easier for client to engage More effective engagements: less of a burden on clients to arrive at appointments Life Stability Education & Employment Meaningful Daily Activities Social Awareness & Supports The Employment Based Interim Housing (EBIH) Program ensures clients are connected to a variety of services to address multiple needs and to support their success under the Housing First Model Housing First Orientation Financial Literacy Community Supports Client profile: History of homelessness Mental, physical health obstacles Minimal formal education Unemployment Few marketable skills Criminal record Initial Assessment & Engagement VI-SPDAT/ SPDAT Initial case management Housing search & placement EES Assessments Meet with employment specialist Develop action plan Integrated Services Housing based case manager Housing based employment specialist Community resources Unpaid work experience Supported Employment Stable Homes, Steady Employment Supporting Context Soft Skills Job Search Interview Computer Skills Vocational Training Resume Career Exploration Shared vision of the goal: long term employment & stable housing Employment Specialist is a part of the housing case management team Clear understanding of roles and how they can compliment one another Ongoing training and support to ensure staff are proficient with the service delivery model Assessment tools focus on identifying strengths and setting goals, not highlighting failures The goal is to develop a client-centered plan to meet individual needs Our Toolbox includes: Informational Material Education & Employment Assessment Employment Readiness Rulers Identifying Barriers Goal Planning Simple information sheet posted throughout agency and distributed to clients Explains program capabilities and provides contact information Does the client feel prepared enough to seek employment? Pre- contemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Effective change management is needed to help clients plan for and adapt to major life adjustments Active Rehabilitation Maintenance Relapse prevention Post-action stages of change may require additional, continued support Questionnaires help clients and staff identify challenges in seeking and maintaining employment May be used to help build case management and (re)employment plans We address some of the specific challenges faced by our clients and reduce the gaps in many other programs Possible challengesPossible actions Client has a criminal background Counsel client on how to address this with employers Getting referencesInternships for experience and real references Dealing with stressRelaxation techniques, positive thinking Untreated mental illness or substance abuse issues Connection to community resources through case management Lack of confidenceSupportive, interdisciplinary staff and Vision Maps for attainable goals Case manager/employment specialist and client meet to establish a plan Plans are unique to each client, based on their needs, strengths and goals Plans are always looked at in the context of being housed- How will this affect your housing? Roads to Success tools help create to do list for clients Breaks down process into clear, manageable goals Home based: bring the tools to the client Libraries in the community Employment Resource Center at Crossroads Roads to Success Program Tech based: different educational platforms Job Interview Lesson Record 30 Second Commercials 5-day on-line course Life Reimagined Website 5-day on-line course Life Reimagined Website Program Start- March 2014 42 families were served 15 carried over from the old program model 27 entered under the integrated program model Year to date Of the 25 families that exited: 63% obtained permanent housing 78% obtained or maintained their earned income Avoiding getting stuck in the old ways and promoting cultural change Breaking down the silos and working as a collaborative team Shift from giving job leads and providing information to hands-on supportive engagement Scheduling home visits Distractions in the home environment Staff need opportunities for continual training stages of change, motivational interviewing, progressive engagement, and more Clients are more successful with intensive support, from intake, through housing, through post-job placement Having one coordinated plan helps clients feel more supported Full integration of EBIH model into housing based case management Tool box for stages of change Better support clients at each sequential stage Customized job placement Job carving- better matching of jobs to client talent Supported employment Continue to support client after a job begins More technology-based portable lessons Supports at-home, in vivo education support and The Grace K. Alpert Foundation Cicely Dove, Vice President, Family Services (401) x340 Bernice Morris, Director, Education & Employment Services (401) Leanne Ovalles, Workforce Development Supervisor (401) x139