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Risk Management In a Housing First Context Greg Jensen DESC Seattle, WA Conference On Ending Homelessness Yakima, WA May 21, 2014. www.desc.org. “ The penalty for education is self-consciousness. But it is too late for ignorance .”. www.desc.org.

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  1. Risk Management In a Housing First Context Greg Jensen DESC Seattle, WA Conference On Ending Homelessness Yakima, WA May 21, 2014 www.desc.org

  2. “The penalty for education is self-consciousness. But it is too late for ignorance.” www.desc.org

  3. What Housing First Programs Do Well In Managing Risk • Housing people who would otherwise remain homeless and at risk of dying or exhibiting out of control b/x in community. • Helping people living with major problems stay housed. • Responding to client crises and restoring clinical stability after a crisis. • Keeping community safe. • Reconnecting client to community through work/volunteering. www.desc.org

  4. What Housing First Programs Do Less Well In Managing Risk • After a critical incident involving a HF participant, taking a step back and asking: Why Didn't That Work? www.desc.org

  5. What Factors Increase Risk for DESC Housing First Programs? Internal Factors That Increase Risk: • Mission • Housing First Standards www.desc.org

  6. Housing First Standards • Targeted to the most vulnerable. • People are moved into housing directly from the street without preconditions of treatment acceptance or compliance. • Provider is obligated to bring robust services into the housing. • Continued housing is not dependent on participation in services. • Harm reduction approach rather than mandating abstinence. • Residents have leases and tenant protection under the law. • Can be implemented in either project-based or scattered site model.

  7. External Factors That Increase Risk • Homelessness Leads to Contact With: • Law Enforcement • Criminal Justice System • Hospitals • Difficulty Accessing Needed MH/CD treatment, due to disorganization, homelessness. www.desc.org

  8. Summary of Internal and External Factors • Can’t control all of the factors that increase risk • Have to accept risk as part of doing Housing First • Therefore, programs must • Take responsibility and • Prepare for risks www.desc.org

  9. Before Housing First...Who Accepted the Risk of Caring for Clients Living On Streets with Behavioral Health Disabilities? • Families • States • Hospitals • Jails • Emergency Shelters • Other Congregate Care Settings (group homes, etc.) • Cities/Municipalities • Organizations serving homeless population www.desc.org

  10. What Are the Risks? • Injury to residents, community, and staff • Public safety risk where programs are sited • Financial liability for tragedies involving residents in our care • Damage to agency reputation, loss of community support • Loss of future housing opportunities for Housing First clients. • Further stigmatization of homeless persons living with major behavioral health disabilities. • Agency risk also puts others at risk: funders, City, County, State, etc. • Others? www.desc.org

  11. How to Assess Risk: • Managerial/Supervisory Oversight • Pluses & Minsues • Risk Management Committee • Structure & Purpose • Safety Committee • Risk Assessments • Critical Incident Debriefings • Risk Champion www.desc.org

  12. Role of Risk Champion • Challenge Assumptions Through Inquiry • Inquiring Minds Want To Know • Be A Limit Tester! • Find Out What Is Possible/Impossible • Raise Questions After Significant Crisis: Why Didn't That Work? • Be Prepared to Change Course When Conditions Change or Risk Increases or Decreases www.desc.org

  13. Role of Risk Champion • Balance Risk Tolerance with Mission. • When Facing Increased Risk, Seek Out Innovation. www.desc.org

  14. A Housing First Risk Management Approach • Embracing and preparing for risks clients present. • Can’t be true to Housing First Standards without taking risks. • No silver bullet. • There will always be situations you can’t predict. www.desc.org

  15. Thank You www.desc.org e-mail DESC at info@desc.org www.desc.org

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