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| Douglas County Service Providers Update (May 21 2010) |
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Although there are more service providers to be added, this is a good start on services for homeless prevention and homeless services! Ballard Community Services Homelessness Prevention Information 05/17/2010 As Prepared by Paul Youk, Director of Human Services The primary program we use to help prevent and reduce homelessness is the Emergency Services Council (ESC). This program provides payments of up to $200 towards paying for rent and utility assistance for qualified individuals. ESC can help prevent or reduce homelessness in several ways. First, we grant rent assistance exclusively to individuals who have the threat of eviction looming. To receive our assistance, landlords must agree to give an individual thirty days to pay on rental debt. When short-term emergencies or gaps in income occur, these thirty days can be absolutely vital to allowing an individual or family time to find or generate enough income to get caught up on their rent. Second, for those in housing situations where lease arrangements require keeping utility bills current to not be evicted, our utility payments also help keep housing secure. I believe we have at least a few cases a month where a utility bill we pay also keeps someone in housing. Finally, we make payments to homeless individuals who are trying to establish housing on their initial rental bills when the situation potentially allows our assistance to be an important step on the path towards self-sufficiency. In the months of March and April 2010, we helped transition ten separate cases totaling fourteen individuals from homelessness with ESC help. While the amount we can provide is small, used strategically in the right situation, this can be a central component to helping a homeless individual or family established themselves into housing. It should be noted that in almost all of these cases, Ballard or ESC partner agencies coordinate with other agencies and case workers in town that fight homelessness, such as Bert Nash, the Housing Authority, and various community shelters. Even though our program can have strong impact when used strategically, this usually only works as part of a larger collective effort. We additionally have two food and diaper pantries, a large clothing pantry, a mobile food pantry, the My Sister’s Closet program to provide interview and work clothing to women establishing jobs, and other basic services and referrals we can provide to help continue support to individuals trying to achieve self-sufficiency or improve their situations. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The Community Cooperation Committee, a sister committee to the Community Commission on Homelessness, is currently involved in a series of facilitations of meetings with the Lawrence Community Shelter and its potential neighbors surrounding the Franklin Business Center, proposed site for the Shelter's relocation. We are also involved in long-term planning for community dialogue and outreach projects. Most sincerely, Sara Taliaferro, Chair _______________________________________________________________________________________ The Douglas County Aids Project (DCAP) continues to serve the homeless populations in Douglas County through free and confidential HIV testing services. We offer mobile HIV testing clinics upon request. DCAP has provided HIV prevention education including Hepatitis and STD risk reduction strategies in the past at the Shelter, Inc. and would like to continue to do so in the future. The service was discontinued in the recent past due to staff turnover at the agency yet DCAP hopes to rekindle its collaborative partnership with Shelter, Inc in order to best serve the homeless population in the Douglas County area. DCAP encourages anyone who would like more information regarding our services to visit our website at www.douglascountyaidsproject.org. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Program Mission Statement The Reentry Program mission is to enhance public safety by bringing together the public & private resources of Douglas County to help ex-offenders successfully re-enter their neighborhoods as accountable, self-sufficient & law-abiding citizens. History - The Douglas County Correctional Facility opened in 1999. 15% of the population are defined as homeless per HUD’s guidelines (those incarcerated 30 days or less only). In 2007, the average daily population was 1 bed short of capacity. Although alcohol and drug bookings account for 36% of the offenses, 78% of inmates agreed that alcohol and/or drug abuse had personally resulted in social, economic and/or legal problems. The concept of a Reentry Program evolved from Sheriff McGovern's request to the National Institute of Corrections Jail Center (NIC) to conduct a Justice System Assessment of the correctional facility. Recommendations included: • Linking inmates to community services upon release; • Improving data management systems; • Organizing a criminal justice coordinating committee; and • Consider design and development of intermediate sanction options. A core steering committee emerged to review NIC's recommendations, including identifying barriers that face inmates upon release This work evolved into a local inmate reentry program in 2008. Reentry -Overall, 94% of inmates booked into the facility are released to our community. In order to safely and successfully reenter the community, interventions to reduce recidivism are targeted through reducing homelessness and substance abuse, along with improving employment, health and family connections through increased community-wide systems collaborations. The reentry program relies heavily on the established Programs and Volunteers division to target programming directly to the identified risks and needs of the inmate. Over 100 volunteers and contracted staff dedicate their time and experiences to facilitate inmate programs. A reentry plan focusing on a continuum of services is then developed with the inmate to reduce the transitional gaps that occur upon release. Reentry newsletters, programs & volunteer opportunities, and community resources cards are available at www.dgso.org, under “Corrections”. Information regarding Douglas County’s involvement in NIC’s Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) initiative may be found at www.jailtransition.com. Shannon Murphy, Reentry Director, Douglas County Sheriff's Dept, www.dgso.org Corrections Division, 3601 E 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046 PH: 785-830-1001, FX: 785-830-1085, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit our Transition from Jail to Community project information at www.jailtransition.com _________________________________________________________________________________________ The East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN) continues to provide case management to those who are precariously housed and/or experiencing homelessness. Also, since September 2009 we have been able to assist an additional 175 households with approximately $100,000 in stimulus funds for rent and utilities. The stimulus funds are restricted for use by those who have lost employment since September 2008 or have had a reduction in hours. Jeanette Collier, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , wwweckan.org __________________________________________________________________________________________ Five Loaves House is a ministry of Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church and provides permanent supportive housing to two formerly homeless mentally ill women. Church volunteers are regularly available to the women for help, support and friendship. For more information contact Katherine Dinsdale at 766-3364. Five Loaves is wanting to share their information so other faith or civic organizations can help to provide the greatest housing need in our community. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Headquarters Counseling Center provides counseling and referrals 24/7, free of charge. We describe our service as “life support” because we provide support for any concern in a person’s life, for people of all ages. No concern is too small or too big. Call 785.841.2345 to reach a counselor to speak with by phone immediately. Or call that number to arrange a time to come to the center to speak in person. Marcia Epstein, LMSW Director Headquarters Counseling Center 211 E. 8th, Suite C P. O. Box 999 Lawrence, KS 66044 admin: 785.841.9900 counseling & info: 785.841.2345 National Hopeline Network 1.800.SUICIDE National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.TALK Facebook: Headquarters Counseling Center www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us Please join us for: Life Support Rally, bike or walk, 6.19.10 Life Support scRamble, golf, 8.20.10 Suicide Prevention Week 9.5-11.10 Life Support Ride, Motorcycle Ride 9.12.10 Freedom of Expression Survivor Retreat 10.2-3.10 Survivors Day 11.20.10 HQCC's 41st Anniversary 12.16.10 \ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Health Care Access moved to 330 Maine (across from the hospital ER). Acute appointments available on a first-come-first serve basis at 8:30 each morning by calling or asking in person for those slots during the day. More routine or maintenance appointments are scheduled 9 weeks out. Assistance with medicine available. $10 requested fee but no one denied care due to inability to pay. 841-5760 www.healthcareaccess.org __________________________________________________________________________________________ The HOPE Building Program provides housing and support for disabled persons that meet the federal definition of Chronically Homeless that have two or more types of disabilities, which may be positive HIV status, chemical dependence, mental illness, developmental disabilities and/or physical disabilities. Residents living at HOPE Building must be willing to work with local resources, accept the individualized services offered by the program and follow a Residential and Program Agreement. There is one supportive staff person on site for approximately 32-35 hours a week. The HOPE Building Program has six units. Rent is determined by 30% of a person’s income. If a person has no income at all: that person pays no rental fee. The program collaborates with local services. Among the wide variety of services it offers: it offers vocational support, onsite monitoring and resident assistance, substance abuse referrals and agency collaboration, mental health service referral and agency collaboration, and psychosocial activities. Alcohol use is not allowed in or around the property in the house. http://www.ldcha.org/housing/HOPEProgram.htm Alana Winner, Hope House Specialist, Mobile:785.423.0336,Hope House Fax:785.749.6765 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Lawrence Community Shelter - Services Provided by LCS for LCS Guests Case Management Counseling Goal setting/Follow-up Drop-In (to be discontinued in new building) Mail delivery Telephone Laundry facilities Breakfast 5 days a week Dinner 7 days a week Snacks and packaged lunches (provided by local grocery) Night shelter Neighborhood outreach (monthly cleanups) Crafts, painting, writing workshops Referrals for Bert Nash, LDCHA, DCCCA, RADAC, Heartland, HCA, SRS, SS, WFC Transportation to appointments, job interviews Bus passes Assist with obtaining ID (birth certificates, social security card, state ID/Driver’s license) Prescription assistance Medical/dental referrals Health screening and education; Medical Clinic – Baker University School of Nursing Substance abuse detox and treatment/transportation to/from RADAC and DCCCA assessments and counseling AA on-site five days a week Holiday celebrations Work program – Back To Work Good Dog/Employment Skills Training Voc. Rehab. referrals Case Management Intakes and assessment Case Management Programs: Employment Benefits Housing Intervention Set goals Follow-up and goal review Advocate for the guest in employment, benefits, housing, intervention Referral to appropriate agencies Coordinate activities with Homeless Outreach Work with area service providers, medical clinics, probation, parole, SRS, SS Maintain HMIS data entry and complete reports for the City Write behavioral summaries (success stories) monthly for the LCS Board and for the LCS website Prepare monthly statistics and reports for the LCS Board Assist guests with various applications (housing, SRS, SS ) Provide support and counseling Provide crisis intervention Assist in supervising program volunteers and interns Networking with area social service agencies LAWRENCE/DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority operates 7 programs serving homeless individuals and families: These programs are: 1. Homeless Transitional Housing – 24 months of rent assistance for homeless families and individuals funded through HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance grants from the City of Lawrence currently pays rent assistance for 40 homeless families and individuals. Since 1993 this program has housed 363 homeless families and individuals. In 2009 the LDCHA received $250,000 for rent assistance under this program which covers two years of funding. 2. Bert Nash Community Support Services Transitional Housing – 24 months of rent assistance for clients of the Bert Nash CSS program funded through HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance grants from the state of Kansas currently pays rent assistance for 20 families and individuals. Since 1993 this program has housed 133 homeless individuals and families. In 2009 the LDCHA received $100,000 for rent assistance under this program which covers two years of funding. This program is restricted to Bert Nash Clients only. 3. Hope Building – permanent supported housing units for chronically homeless individuals with mental health and substance abuse disabilities. This program currently houses 6 individuals. Since 2004 this program has housed 36 chronically homeless individuals. The annual funding for this program is $100,000. 4. Douglas County Jail Reentry Program – tenant based rental assistance for persons being released from the Douglas County Jail. Funded through LDCHA Moving to Work program funds this program currently serves 2 individuals but can provide assistance for up to five clients. The program began in 2009. 5. Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing – See attached flier. The program has served 24 families through Rapid Re-Housing and 58 families through Homelessness Prevention. 6. E-Housing Connection – emergency temporary housing program for families that have become homeless. Provides $500 grants for eligible families to receive a security deposit. Requires case management from a recognized service provider agency. Since the program began in 2009, 45 families have been assisted by the program. ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO PAY YOUR RENT AND UTILITIES? HAVE YOU RECENTLY BECOME HOMELESS? HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE-HOUSING (HPRP) FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS. Applications are available at 1600 Haskell Avenue or at www.ldcha.org. Questions? Call the HPRP office at 785-842-8110, extension 2420 or visit www.ldcha.org. The purpose of HPRP is to provide housing support services to stabilize families during the economic recession. There are two parts to HPRP – the first is Homelessness Prevention, which is designed to provide rental and utility assistance to households which would otherwise become homeless. The second component is Rapid Re-Housing which provides assistance to rapidly re-house persons and families who are experiencing homelessness. This program is intended to help stabilize families who would be homeless but for this assistance. HPRP provides temporary financial assistance and services as a bridge to help people gain long-term housing stability. The City of Lawrence has received a grant for $648,000 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority is administering the program on behalf of the City of Lawrence. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Applicants who can demonstrate that they will be homeless but for this assistance, meet the minimum requirements outlined below, and can demonstrate that they will be stabilized in housing by this assistance may be found eligible. Eligibility is also determined by criteria set in the Homeless Management Information System. Minimum Requirements: • All applicants must be Douglas County residents. • Applicants MUST be under 50 % area median income for Douglas County. • Criminal and credit background checks will be performed on all applicants – applicants who are registered sex offenders or have been convicted of the distribution or production of methamphetamine are INELIGIBLE. • Federal housing guidelines and regulations apply to all applicants for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing assistance as with all programs administered by the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. • Must be in a housing situation that meets rent comparability standards for the area to receive assistance. Applications are available at 1600 Haskell Avenue or at www.ldcha.org. Questions? Call the HPRP office at 785-842-8110, extension 2420 or visit www.ldcha.org. Homelessness Prevention Applicants: • Must be under threat of eviction and provide an eviction notice. • Must provide a past due rent certification from their landlord. • Must have no other housing options. • Must have no other financial resources or support networks to retain housing. Rapid Re-Housing Applicants: • Must be certified homeless by the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Homeless Outreach Team or by the Lawrence Community Shelter. • Must agree to actively engage in three months of case management with HPRP Housing Support Services Staff. • The definition of homelessness includes: 1) sleeping in an emergency shelter; 2) sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation; 3) staying in a hospital or institution for up to 180 days, but literally homeless prior to entry. Available assistance Includes: • Short-term Rental Arrears (a maximum of two months or the maximum amount per family.) • Short-term Utility Payments and Arrears (a maximum of three months or the maximum amount per family.) • Short-term rental assistance (a maximum of three months or the maximum amount per family.) • Security Deposits (a maximum amount per family.) • Utility Deposits (a maximum amount per family.) • Housing Case Management. • Credit Counseling. HPRP is NOT: • A mortgage assistance program (homeowners are not eligible.) • Intended to serve persons who need long-term and/or intensive supports. • A Housing-First Program. • The Emergency Shelter Grant Program. • Available to dependent college students. Assistance is NOT available for: • Any costs not directly related to housing. • Transportation. • Childcare. • Clothing. • Furniture. • Credit Card Payments. • Medical Costs. • Legal Costs. • Other prohibitions as outlined in the program guidelines. _________________________________________________________________________________________ RAHN (The Recovery and Hope Network) serves Lawrence and Douglas County residents with severe and persistent mental illness who want to get better. About a third of our current members are homeless and many others have been homeless. What we offer is a meeting place from noon to 5 Monday through Thursday, and noon to 7 p.m. Friday where there will be no alcohol, drugs, violence, or abusive speech. We have a weekly support group and two weekly classes addressing various issues of recovery from mental illness. We recently hosted a weekly class for Consumers as Providers of mental health services offered by the KU Department of Social Welfare. Several times a month we have free socialization field trips, recent examples being KU baseball and football, a tour of Bowersock Dam, a tour of the Liberty Memorial and WWI Museum in Kansas City, trips to the movies, and live performances at the Lied Center. We also get together at the RAHN office to enjoy pizza and KU basketball, a cooking club, exercise every Tuesday and our Friday coffee houses. For further information, call us at 856-1222 or visit our website, http:recoveryandhope.org. If you would like to be on our mailing list, we send out a monthly calendar of activities and a quarterly newsletter. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Salvation Army (TSA) provides all of the services that it always has EXCEPT overnight sheltering. During the extreme weather situations this past winter we acted as an overflow for the Lawrence Community Shelter. We still are providing lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for anyone who is hungry. On Thursday evenings we provide a mobile feeding program using TSA's mobile canteen unit to take meals out to those in need. Seven days a week from 5:00 - 8:00 PM we provide a warming-cooling center which is a drop in program providing a snack, access to telephone, laundry and TV. It gives people a spot to get off their feet for a few hours and get out of the elements. We still provide Emergency Assistance to those that may be precariously housed or at risk of loosing their housing due to non-payment of rent or utilities. Our food pantry is open to those in need Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. A transitional housing program will be operated by TSA by the end of this summer. This will provide a stablized housing situation along with case management and support services provided through TSA's Project Able. Thanks! Wes Dalberg, Captain CORPS OFFICER The Salvation Army, PO Box 1177, 946 New Hampshire Lawrence, KS 66044 (785) 843-4188 (office), (785) 843-1716 (fax), (785) 979-5445 (cell) __________________________________________________________________________________________ The St. Clare Center of St. John the Evangelist Church is the Community Outreach office through which the benevolence funding of St. John Parish is managed in the community. All funding is from parishioners of St. John, and a few small grants from the Capuchins of Mid-America Province. Funding is used to provide assistance with rent or utility bills that are overdue ($50 available once every 12 months), or food vouchers ($15 per month), Clothing Vouchers for 3 outfits from the St. John Rummage House, as well as resource referrals for other needed services. Services are offered through appointments only, and are available as long as funding is available each month. Call St. John Office at 843-0109 to schedule an appointment. Judy L. Parker, St. John the Evangelist Church ________________________________________________________________________________________ The KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICE (SRS) is the safety net agency in Kansas for social service assistance. A wide range of programs are provided. All have specific eligibility requirements: Food Assistance: The Food Assistance Program (food stamps) is a nutrition assistance program which provides a Vision card (plastic debit card) to eligible persons for use in purchasing food from local grocery stores. Any single individual, household, or group of individuals who live and eat together, whose income and resources are low and who meet certain basic program requirements can qualify. Cash Assistance: Families may get cash assistance while they look for work as long as they meet program requirements. This includes cooperating with the Child Support Program. Families can only get TAF for 60 months in a lifetime. Families who get TAF may also get medical benefits and child care. A family must have at least one child in the home under the age of 18. This child may be an unborn baby. The child may live with a parent or relative. The child may also live with a person named by a court to take care of the child, such as a guardian, conservator, or custodian. Medical: Medical programs are available to assist the elderly and persons with disabilities. These programs are for people 65 or older or for those who meet Social Security's disability rules. There are several general rules that must be met to quality for these programs, including state residency and citizenship. Each program may also have its own requirements. HealthWave, offers medical coverage for children from low income families. To be eligible the applicant must meet income guidelines and meet residency and citizen requirements. Janice Friedman, M.S.Ed., Customer and Community Affairs SRS, K.C. Metro Region, 1901 Delaware, Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-832-3710, Fax:785-843-0291, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |