Rev. 2/26/09

Community LinkSOLUTIONS (Housing Barrier Removal)

A. Greeting/Vocational Assessment

1. Some consumers who are need of permanent housing may be temporarily living at an emergency shelter in Cincinnati/Hamilton County.

2. For consumers living in a shelter, the primary barrier to be removed is the immediate housing need. For these consumers, an assignment is to be made to SHELTER SOLUTIONS where case management and barrier removal services are offered. Typically, this assignment is for no more than 30 days in duration.

3. The Designated Eligibility Technician (ET) will review benefits, enroll consumers as appropriate and complete necessary paperwork (i.e. OWF application, Personal Responsibility Agreement, Client Information Sharing Form). They will also create the Community Link Case Plan indicating the Shelter Solutions site and requiring participation in the shelter as the activity during the consumer’s shelter stay. A Shelter-Transitions activity will also be included on the case plan as the follow-up assignment to Shelter Solutions enabling the consumer a period of no more than 30 days post shelter to stabilize in housing and make connections necessary to move forward and lead to work.

4. The ET will then forward the signed PRA, Client Information Sharing Form (CISF) and CL Case Plan to Community Link’s Greeter Team Leader (or designee).

5. The CL Greeter Team Leader will enter the case plan information into CLDB, lock it down in CLDB and send the paperwork to the consumer's file.

1st VOCATIONAL PLAN ITEMAssignment Type: VocationalProvider: Solutions—Agency Name (all agencies are in the CLDB pick list)Activity Type: AlternativeActivity Detail: OtherBegin Date: the next business day End Date: 30 days from begin dateCL Contact: Designated Service Coordinator Consumer Responsibility: Actively work with shelter to locate housing and remove other barriers to employment. As determined by the Shelter, you will be connected with Community Link to change what activity you are participating in

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on your case plan. If an appointment with Community Link is scheduled, you must bring your VESTA individual service plan with you.

2nd VOCATIONAL PLAN ITEMAssignment Type: VocationalProvider: Shelter-TransitionsActivity Type: AlternativeActivity Detail: OtherCL Contact: Designated Service Coordinator Begin Date: First business day following End Date of Solutions AssignmentEnd Date: Open EndedConsumer Responsibility: During this time you may continue to work with the shelter on housing issues or getting settled in your new housing. As determined by the shelter, you will also be connected with Community Link to change what you are participating in on your case plan. If an appointment with Community Link is scheduled, you must bring your VESTA individual service plan with you. Other barriers to employment (such as daycare and transportation) will also be addressed at this time. You must inform the shelter of all changes, including: a new address, employment, or school/training enrollment.

6. In order for Community Link to exchange information with the Solutions site, an Authorization for Information Sharing Form is to be completed.

B. SERVICE COORDINATION

1. The Shelter case manager and consumer will contact the CL worker to schedule an appointment once the consumer has identified stable, permanent housing (i.e. deposit paid, awaiting move-in). Ideally, this appointment will occur prior to exiting the shelter. CL will request that the consumer bring her VESTA individual service plan to the CL appointment. CL goals for this appointment:

a. Develop a positive relationship with the consumer explaining that CL is there to help develop a “work plan” that will lead the consumer to work.

b. Review the current case plan – clarify what the consumer needs to achieve during the 30-day period of Shelter Transitions.

c. The consumer will complete a daycare application, receive daycare provider listings and receive transportation assistance.

d. Schedule a follow-up appointment time for the consumer

2. The CL worker will notify the Shelter case manager if the consumer did not attend the appointment.

a. If the consumer is still in the shelter, another appointment time will be established and the Shelter case manager will make every effort to ensure the consumer attends.

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b. If the consumer has already exited the shelter, CL will contact the ET regarding the no-show and determine if termination request should be made.

c. Consumers who have left the shelter without following an exit process (i.e. AWOL) will be monitored by the designated ET who will pull information from VESTA. This information will be shared with the CL worker in order to report information accurately.

C. CONSUMERS ALREADY ASSIGNED TO CL WHO NEED SOLUTIONS ASSIGNMENTS

3. Some consumers currently assigned to Community Link may face a change in circumstances and as a result reside in an emergency shelter. As the ET conducts the assessment appointment, he or she will make note of this change for CL and identify it in the transmission of the new case plan. Should a consumer be able to complete what is currently on the case plan during the shelter stay, he or sh would have the option of doing so. In these situations, coordination between CL, the Shelter case manager and the ET is required so that all understand the circumstances and requirements of the plan.

4. The ET will notify the assigned CL worker that a consumer is now in a shelter so that the consumer can amend the case plan as necessary.

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