Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 2ATTACHMENT A-6 DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST STANDARDS OF CARE for the DADE COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM Adopted January 17, 1997 STANDARDS OF CARE Adopted By the DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST and Applicable to the DADE COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM Mandated by the DADE COUNTY COMMUNITY HOMELESS PLAN (Dade Counry Ordinance No. 0-94-66) January 17, 1997 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY: These Standards of Care establish definitions, policies and standards relating to the provision of housing and services directly to horncicss individuais and families iocated in Metropolitan Dade Counry, Florida within the Connnuum of Care homeless housing and service delivery system mandated by the Dade County Community Homeless Plan. Dade County Ordinance No. 0-94-66. The mission of the Continuum of Care homeless housing and servers delivery system is to provide homeless individuals and families with the resources and oppornlnities by which to attain residential, financial and personal stabiiiry and sets -sufficiency. Accoraingiy, this mission is to be adopted by all Trust -funded providers. The purpose of these Standards of C.arc is to establish the minimum scone of housing and services to be provided and the minimum ievci of quality of care when providing such housing and services directly to homciess individuals and families. These Standards of Care apply to all Trust -funded providers who provide housing and/or services directly to homeless individuals and/or families located in Metropolitan Dade Counry. Trust -funded providers are to establish policies and procedures that reflect and incorporate these Standards of Care, as may apply to the rypeicategory of care provided. It is desired that other providers who provide housing and/or services directly to homeless individuals and families, but who are not funded by the Dade County Homeless Trust, will consider and adopt these Standards of Care. These Standards of Care have been adopted by the Board of the Dade County Homeless Trust, a Metropolitan Dade County entity creatcd by Dade County Ordinance No. 0-94-66. It is the responsibility of the staff of the Dade County Homeless Trust to ensure that these Standards of Care are followed by Trust -funded providers. DEFINITIONS: Continuum of Care: "Continuum of Care" or "Cananuum" means and refers to the consolidated and intecrated homeless housing and services delivery system mandated by the Dade County Community Homeless Plan Dade County Ordinance No. 0-94-66, and implemented and administered by the Dade County Horneiess Trust. Trust -Funded Providerts): A "Trust -funded proviaer" (also referred to as "Provider") means a municipal or state aarncy, not -for - profit corporation or for-prout corporation., that provides housing andlor services directly to homeless individuals and/or families and that is under contract with the Dade County Homeless Trust and/or funded in whole or in part by Metropolitan Dade County, Florida, throuen the Dade County Homeless Trust_ Non -Trust Funded Provider(s): A "non -Trust funded provider mans a municipal or state agency, not -for profit corporation or for -profit corporation that provides housing and/or services directly to homeless individuals and/or families and that is not under cant -act With the Dade County Homeiess Trust nor funded in whole or in part by Metropolitan Dadc County through the Dade County Homeless Trust. Client(s): "Client(s)” mean homeless tnaividual(s) or family(ies) referred to a Trust -funded provider by the Dade County Homeless Trust through its Out -each. Assessment and Placement Program or otherwise, by a Trust -funded provider, or by a non -Trust funded provider. Individualized Continuum of Care Plan: "Individualized Continuum of arc plan" means an individualized contract that is based upon the parricipant's current state. capabilities and personal goals and objectives, a comprehensive assessment of client's conditions and needs. as well as case management recommendations, and that describes the participant's r.eeds for suopornve services and outline the steps that the participant must take in order to begin the personal process towards residennal and financial stability and self-sufficiency. Outreach, Assessment and Placement Program: "Outreach, Assessment and Placement Program" (also referred to as "OAP Program") refers to the program coordinated by the Dade County Homeless Trust to locate and engage homeless individuals and famiiies,.conduct preliminary assessments of immediate unmet needs, and make referrals for appropriate placements in housing and/or services provided by Trust -funded or non -Trust funded providers. The OAP Program is deemed a service provided directly to homeless !ndividuals and families. Outreach. Assessment and Placement Program Provider: "Outreach. Assessment and Placement Program Provider" (also referred to as "OAP Program Provider") refers to a Trust -funded provider who provides outreach assessment and placement services under the direction of the OAP Program. Temporary Care Provider: "Temporary Care Provider" refers to a provider who provides emergency housing and care to homeless individuals anaior families and to such provider's facilities andlor programs. Primary Cart Provider: "Primary Care Provider" refers to a provider who provides housing and supportive services to special need homeless populations comprised of persons with a history of mental illness or dehabiiicaune mental health conditions, substance abuse, victims of domestic violence, HIV infecnon or AIDS. as well as homeless individuals and families to order to assist such persons in the transition from homelessness to independent living or to permanent supported housing, as the case may be. and to such providers facilities and/or programs. Advanced Care Provider: "Advanced Care Provider" refers to a provider who (I) operates or provides access to supported housing for those homeless individuals and families with special needs (i.e. permanent disability, the frail or elderly) and/or (2) assists those homeless individuals and families catiable of maintaining independent living with minimal initial support to secure housing in the atTordable housing market_ Supportive Services: "Supportive Services" refers to services provided directly to homeless individuals and/or families by a Trust -funded or non -Trust funded provider independent of, or in afiilianon with another provider, intended to assist homeless individuals andior families in attaining residential, financial anti personal stability and self-sufficiency. Such services include, but are not limited to, health care. case management, out-eatie; t mental health or substance abuse treatment, education or vocational training, job counseling, morning and/or placement_ child care and legal services. OUTREACH, ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose and Applicability Definitions 2-3 1 Outreach. Assessment and Placement 4-1 0 Temporary Care Facilities • 11-19 Primary Care Facilities 20-30 31-3S Advanced Care Programs STANDARDS OF CARE APPLYING TO OUTREACH, ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM I. CORE FUNCTIONS OF OUTREACH, ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMINT PROGRAM: • The Mission and Purpose of the Outreach, Assessment and Placement Program (hereinafter referred to as "OAP Program") is to locate and engage homeless individuals and families, conduct preliminary assessments of immediate unmet needs and make referrals to appropriate placements with housing and/or services provided by Trust -funded or non -Trust funded providers. The purpose of the OAP Program is to enure a coordinated process on a Count -wide basis by which to assist homeless individuals and families in accessing the Continuum of Cares housing and/or services that are available. • Core Functions: Outreach. Assessment and Placement Program Providers (hereinafter referred to as "OAP Program Providers") shall provide the following. core functions to their clients: • Outreach/Engagement involving the necessary client contact to form a relationship of trusr and understanding between OAP Program Provider street teams and the homeless individual or family. Assessment. followine suc:.cssrul client engagement- of the ciic^t's current social, health (including mental health and substance abuse), and employment/education conditions. Such assessment shall form the basis of the recommended service track and shall follow the client to the referral provider. PlacementlReferrai to referral alternatives currently available and appropriate. Such referral alternatives shall include, but are not limited to. a provider within any level of care within the Continuum of Care. including services related to medical treatment, mental health assessment. medical detoxif cation, caucation and vocational programs, day labor, or other appropriate service. Follow -Up of client progress to be tracked at varying intervals, depending on the needs and requirements of the individual or family engaged. assessed and placed in services to ensure appropnate referral and proper engagement Re -Engagement when an individual initially engaged and assessed by a OAP Program Provider has left a program or service. Emphasis shall be made on locating and re- establishing contact with the individual, with the purpose of re-engaging the individual into the Continuum of Care. This process shall begin following notification from a Trust -funded or non -Trust funded provider of the client's departure from its program and/or services. El. GENERAL STANDARDS A.. CNTS • Outreach, assessment and placement small be conducted in ate humanitarian fashion Ticing for respects the dignity of the homeless individual or family. A grievance procedure fair nonce and hca ing shall be made known and available to clients by which to seek redress is the event that a ciicnt has a grievance regarding the services offered and/or provided by a OAP Program Provider. • OAP Program Providers shall demonstrate sensitivity to clients' primary language and cultural background- • The OAP Prom approach shall be non -judgmental of the homeless, without a pre determined program objective, unless requested by the client. • Clients shall be informed of both the pnviieges and responsibilities relating to prospective placement with a temporary carc. primary care or advanced care provider. as the case may be. Clients shall be provided with a cooy or the Resident/Client Agreement that the client would be required to sign upon admission to a temporary, primary or advanced care faciiiry or program. B. OAP PROGRAM PROVIDER STAFF: • OAP Pro rr. Provider=dminisa-atars snail ensure that the OAP Program Provider staff -has the qualifications, proper taming and supervision net s: ry and appropriate to the job funcnort(s) with which such staff members are entrusted- C. COORDU ATION, COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION: • The OAP Program shall be administered by the Dade County Homeless Trust and shall consist of a coordinated prods requiring the coordination and cooperation of county and local municipalities and their respective agencies which may have contact with inrovide serric= to volved to outreac't�homeless ass m indentt and iduais and families, as well as local community -based organizations placement services that may be established under the OAP Program- • Each OAP Program Provider shall work closely and cooperatively with the administrators of the OAP Program, other OAP Program Providers and other communtty-based outreach efforts. • Each OAP Program Provider shall work closely and cooperatively with all other Trust -funded providers as well as other community -based service providers to homeie:s individuals and families. D. NON-DISCRIMINATION CN TIIE PROVISION OF SERVICES: • There shall be no aiscnminatton an the basis of race, color, gender. sexual onentation, disability, religion, or national ongin in the provision of outreach. assessment and/or placement services to clients er,• III. OLTTREACHIENGAGEMEhT SERVICES • Outreach/Engagement: OusrcacivEngagernmt is defined as client enzagemcnt r esultMc from client contact on the s3cets. through referrals from police agencies or municipalities. referrals from social service providers, self -referrals (walk-ins) and encampment closures. The focus of outreach/engagement activities shad be to develop the relationship needed to bring the homeless individual or -family into housing and/or services through the outreach relationship. Street outreach/engagement efforts shall be comprised of multiple, easily, non-thre2tening, informal contacts with homeless individuals and families focusing primarily an establishing familiarity and developing tout • Street Outreach Testers: Outr .ch services shall be conducted through the use of teams which are to continuously and consistently search for homeless tndividuais living on the streets. in parks. abandoned buildings, underneath ex ressways and other places not meant for human habitation. • Composition of Street Outreach Teams: Each Street Outreach/Eng-agernent Team shall include a peer outreach worker (formally homeless person) and the support of a trained Social Worker. • Provision of Service: Outreach. assessment and placernent services shall be provided seven (7) days a week and weekday nigi:ts. Preference shall be given to provide outreachiengagement services in a geographical manner, and to ass=en teams to target different geoerapnical areas. • Referral Opportunities: Ser-riccs of the OAP Program as well as those ayaiiabic within the Continuum of Cwre shall be offered to homeless individuals and families whenever such persons are eneaeed by a seet team. r . ASSESSMENT SERVICES • Assessment in General: Assessment shall be performed through art mtcnew process following surrrrsful client engagement that determines the most appropriate placement with housing anchor services currently available. These services are to include, but are not limited to. immediate medical attention, mental health assessment- employment services, or a full range of social services. including housing, available within the Continuum of Care, whether provided by a Trust funded provider or non - Trust funded provider. • Method of Assessment: Assessment shall be performed in a manner that respects the ciigniry and rights of the client. If there is a perceived emergency, an assessment and/or scning for mental health or substance abuse service needs shall be performed as soon as possible (e.g. within c-wo (2) hours of ininal engagement I. • Identification of Needs and Factors: The assessment shall be performed in a manner that identifies the circumstances. behavior parterns. and psychosocial factors causing and maintaining Individuals or families in a state of homelessness. The assessment shall determine the specific in-depth news of homeless individuals, with an emphasis on those persons living in the most severe and chronic conditions. The assessment shall be performed in a manner that maximises the making of appropriate recommendations for housing and/or scrvicrs with a Trust or non -Trust funded provider who will meet such needs. • Screening for Meatai Health or Substance Abuse Service Needs: Screening for emotional disorders and dysfunctions. i nciuding substance abuse. and for other senou.s mental health impediments to independence, shall be performed by, or under the supervision of qualified mental 'health or substance abuse professionals. • Demographic information: OAP Providers also stall collect basis demographic inform. anon on persons cngagea and assessed including, but not limited to, date of birth, gender, and ethnictry. V. PLACEMENT/REFERRAL, SERVICES • Coordinated Referral: Referral into the Continuum of Care of individuals and families found living on the streets, in nark, abandoned buildings, underneath expressways and other places not meant for human habitation. or engaged through referrals from police agencies or municipalities. social service providers, or self -referrals. shall be coordinated through the OAP Program • Availability of Placement/Referral Opportunities: Placement or referral to housing and/or services shall be made available to all homeless individuals and families who express a desire to receive housing and/or services. • Client's Sense of Urgency: A client's own expression of the urgency of their request for assistance shall governthe OAP Program Provider in determining how quickly referral andior placement shall be rendered. • Client -Directed Referral Process: To the greatest extent tossible. the client's goals and objectives shall govern recommendations for refer.ai. OAP Program Providers shall encourage client participation in choice of piace:nem or referral to the greatest extent possible. • Appropriate Referral/Placements: OAP Program Providers shall make appropriate referral/placement of homeless individuals and families as may be available in temporary, primary or advanced care facilities or to services within the Continuum of Care. • Minimum Length of Stay: OAP Proer_rn Providers shall use best efforts to ensure that each housing placement results in a minimum stay of seven (7) days so as to maximrze the effectiveness of the engagement process within the Continuum of Care and the extent to which the client will be able to or be willing to avail him or herself of the opportunities made available within the Conunuum of Care. • Provision of Transportation: In cases in which a client is placed in a housing and/or residential treatment facility, OAP Providers snail provide the client with transportation to the site of the facility. • Disclosure of Assessment and Recommendations: With the consent of the client, a OAP Program Provider shall provide a copy of its assessment of the client as well as its service and/or housing recommendations to the Trust -funded or non -Trust funded provider to whom the client has been referred and/or placed. • [refusal of Services and/or Housing: OAP Program Providers shall maintain records documenting refusal of placement or referral and the grounds for such refusai as expressed by the client. Refusal of a particular placement or re fermi shall not preclude a client's ability to request and receive future services VI. FOLLOW-UP • Follow-up in General: OAP Program Providers shall perform follow-up of individuals and families engaged in services ancilor housing opportunities through the OAP Program to ensure that appropnate and effective client engagement- assessment and placement has resulted_ • Method of Follow -Up: OAP Program Providers, to the greatest extent possible, shall maintain client contact following placement or referral. Follow-up shall be performed in a manner that permits measurement of client progress through the Continuum of Care in an effective manna., to ensure that appropnate sem= arc being rendered, and to provide continued support and encouragement to the client- • Minimum Follow -Up Tbresholds: Following client engagement, assessment and placement- the minimum follow-up thresholds are as follows: • Persons Referred for Stabilization or Detoxification: Contact and follow-up shall be made with individuals who have been referred directly to mental health stabilization or chemical detoxification within sevenry-rwo (72) hours of their referral and piacern.ent to ensure continuation of engagement, assessment and placement into appropriate housing and/or services following stabilization. • Contact Following Initial Referral and/or Placement: Contact and follow-up shall be made with individuais who have been referred to and/or placed with services and/or housing within seven (7) days to monitor appropriateness of the placement and the progress of the client and to provide continued support and encouragement • Folios%• -Up After Placement in Temporary Care Facilities: For clients placed in a temporary care facility, contact and follow-up shouid take piacc within s xzy (60.) days of placement to monitor progress of the client, ensure that the ciicnt's needs arc being met and that available housing and/or services within the primary and advances cart ievels arc accessible to the client if needed. . • Follow -Up After Placement in Primary Care Facilities: For clients placed in a primary care facility, contact and follow-up should take place within sus (6) moruns of placement to monitor progress of the client. ensure that the client's nerds arc being met and that available housine and/or services within the advanced care level are made arrlstible to the client, if needed. • Additional or More Frequent Follow-up: Additional follow-up before or after these minimum thresholds, depending on the needs and requirements of the individual or family engaged, assessed and placed in services, may be appropnate and may be done as needed, desired or deemed necessary by a OAP Program Provider to ensure the effectiveness of its engagement, assessment and placement services. VrII. RE -ENGAGEMENT • Point of Contact: OAP Program Providers shalt provide a point of contact far clients and Trust - funded or non -Trust funded providers for the purpose of re-engaging clients who abandon services and/or housing placement opportunities with the objective of re-entry into the Continuum of Care. • Client Re -Engagement: OAP Program Providers shall provide its engagement, assessnnent and placement/referral services to clients wno abandon services and/or housing placement opportunities and to persons wno previously rejected assistance, but later express a'desire for assistance. • • Provider Request for Re -Engagement: OAP Program Providers shall attempt re -engagement of a client upon the request of a Trust -funded or non -Trust funded provider or upon nonce by a Trust -funded or non -Trust funded provider that a client has abandoned its housing program and/or services. Val. CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY AND SHARING OF INFORIILkTION: • Client Expectation of Privacy: OAP Program Providers shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations governing the confidentiality of information regarding AIDS/HT\' status and medical, substance abuse or mental health history, referral or treatment_ Clients may expect a reasonable degree of privacy with regard to information not otherwise protected from disclosure by federal or state laws and regulations that is snared with the OAP Program Providers staff members. • Exceptions to Client Confidentiality: Client information may be subject to disclosure as provided by law including investigation by law enforcerncnL probation officers. and 1-1RS protective services related • to minors or the elderly, subject to any iimttauons on disclosure set forth in state or federal law, inciuding those laws protecting the confdenuaiiry of information regarding AIDS/HIV status and medical. substance abuse or rncr.tal health history, referral or trcat+ncnL • • Sharing of Client Information: Shanng of client information with other providers to whom the client rnav be referred is nrr-tt'ry to ensure cffe:ttve provision of services, continuer in care, and efficient use of Continuum resources. The necessity of sharing information with other providers shall be explained to the client. Client information shall only be shared upon the client's written consent.