Understanding Centralized Assessment Systems

1. Establishing and Operating a Centralized /Coordinated Assessment System April 3, 2014 Michelle Sandoz-Dennis Continuum of Care Unit Director www.caresny.org

2. Before Beginning Take a Deep Breath!

3. Workshop Goal • Define a Centralized/Coordinated Assessment System • What it is • What it is not • To begin discussion about the models • To identify required participants • To begin to discuss necessary partners • To identify pros and cons of the system • To identify available resources for more information

4. Why is it Necessary? • The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH Act) • Consolidating three HUD homeless assistance programs • Revising HUD's definition of homeless • Revising the Emergency Shelter Grant program (now the Emergency Solutions Grant) • Creating the Rural Housing Stability Program to replace the Rural Homelessness Grant Program • Codifying in law the Continuum of Care Planning Process

5. Required Participants • Emergency Solutions Grant • Focuses on Coordination of systems – both the homeless and housing services systems and systems that MAY discharge into homelessness • Continuum of Care Program Interim Rule • Clearly defines the CoC’s responsibilities • Requires increased collaboration between recipients of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding and CoCs • Highlighted Responsibilities includes Establishing and operating a centralized/coordinated assessment system

6. What is it? • A Centralized/Coordinated Assessment System “…is defined to mean a centralized or coordinated process designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and provision of referrals. A centralized or coordinated assessment system covers the geographic area, is easily accessed by individuals and families seeking housing or services, is well advertised, and includes a comprehensive and standardized assessment tool.”

7. Examples of a Current Systems • A central location(s) where households must be present to receive homeless services • A 211 or other hotline system that screens and directly connects callers to appropriate homeless housing/service providers • A no wrong door approach in which a homeless household can show up at any homeless service provider but is assessed using the same tool and methodology so that referrals are consistently completed • A specialized team of case workers that provides assessment services to providers within the Continuum of Care

8. The Goal of the System • To link all Emergency Solutions, CoC funded, and non CoC funded programs in order to best assess clients and effectively and efficiently refer clients to services.

9. Key Stakeholders • Required by regulation: • Emergency Solutions Grantee (Both State and City) • CoC funded Agencies • Not Required by Key to Success: • Local Department of Social Service • Non CoC funded homeless service Providers • Other CoC members

10. Group Discussion I • What are the next steps in order to develop a system that meets HUD requirements and works best for your specific CoC? • What is currently in place at the County Level? • What is currently in place at the City level? • What is currently in place for CoC funded programs?

11. Group Discussion II • What are the next steps in order to develop a system that meets HUD requirements and works best for your specific CoC? • What is currently in place at the County Level? • What is currently in place at the City level? • What is currently in place for CoC funded programs?

12. Next Steps • Committees Per CoC • Albany – Systems Committee • Chair: Maria Markovicsutalb@verizon.net • Rensselaer – Ad Hoc Coordinated Assessment • Chair: Kevin O’Connor koconnor@josephshousetroy.org • Columbia/Greene – Ad Hoc Coordinated Assessment • Chair: Kai Hillmann khillmann@st-cath.org