TASK FORCE ON HOMELESS SERVICES
February 27, 2004 minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Beeman, Tami Clark, Candy Davis, Katherine
Dinsdale, Rich Forney, Helen Hartnett, Barbara
Huppee, David Johnson, Steve Ozark, Mike Rundle,
Jim Schneider, Sara Taliaferro, and Sarah Terwelp
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Beale, Bruce Martin, Shirley Martin-Smith,
Barbara Tucker, and Tom Wright
STAFF PRESENT: Monica Cardin, Cindy Nau, and Margene Swarts
GUESTS PRESENT: Rev. Paul Gray--Leo Center, and Michael Stoops--
National Coalition for the Homeless
PUBLIC PRESENT: Mary Maimer and Sharilyn Wells
Rundle called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.
Introductions
Staff, members, guests, and public introduced themselves.
Approval of January 20, 2004 minutes
Clark moved to approve the January 20, 2004, minutes. Beeman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Presentation from Barbara Huppee on funding for the HOPE Building
Huppee stated the HOPE Building is based on the Continuum of Care grant to provide housing for the chronically homeless population. The target population for the grant is those individuals with mental health problems. The $328,000 is for a period of three years and would provide rent subsidies for eight to fifteen traditionally “hard to house” homeless individuals. The rest of the money would be for support services (approximates: $179,000 for rent subsidy; $117,000 for operations; and $32,000 for support services).
Huppee stated the design for this grant derived from various focus group meetings held eleven months ago by the City of Lawrence and LDCHA staff. Focus group participants were asked what services they would participate in and what type of housing they would desire. The most common answer was that individuals would accept services if the services were delivered on-site. Individuals desired to live in a house where they had their own apartment with a common area to socialize.
Huppee stated LDCHA plans to partner with a private landlord and be the property managers. Thus the housing authority absorbs the risk. Specific details about the program are not yet established and it is not known when the money will be available.
Stoops asked what LDCHA planned to do when the grant ran out. Huppee stated they would apply for renewal. She also noted that as the individuals gain better support services, skills, and abilities, they can take that assistance with them and substitute the funds with HOME funds.
Ozark commented Bridges would be a prospective facility. Huppee stated that they would be working with Bert Nash and considering that facility.
Rundle commented that even though there are 15 units, LDCHA would serve more than that due to turnover.
Presentation from Reverend Paul Gray on the Leo Center
Gray provided a history of the development of the Heartland Medical Clinic and the Leo Center. The Leo Center was named for Leo Beuerman. He was barely 3’ tall, deaf, nearly blind, and unable to walk. He sold pencils, pens, and magazine subscriptions on the sidewalk downtown. He wished to someday “help others that are too poor to have something to eat most of the time.” The Lawrence Association of Evangelicals, which consists of pastors from the following churches: Victory Bible Church, First Christian Church, New Hope Fellowship, Clinton Parkway Assembly of God, Heartland Community Church, Morning Star Church, Lawrence Wesleyan Church, Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship, and Faith Church of the Nazarene gathered for three years to develop plans for the center. The Leo Center provides a single point of contact to receive assistance from each of the churches involved. The Leo Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Pastors will provide oversight of the facility. The executive team will manage the day-to-day operations.
Gray stated they were very excited about Love Lawrence, Inc.--a program that provides mentoring. Each member church will have a Love Lawrence, Inc. coordinator and provide at least one team of four persons, if not more. The basic purpose will be to provide four friends to those who are in need.
The Leo Center will also have a food pantry, continuing education classes, and counselors. Additionally, E.C.K.A.N. will have an office in the facility.
Forney asked how the center will assure that someone has not been to other places for rental assistance.
Dinsdale stated that they were hoping to network with other agencies and will also be using Charity Check—an online database for tracking benevolent gifts. Clark and Forney stated they would be willing to work with them.
There followed a brief discussion regarding intake.
Nau asked Gray to explain what Heartland Medical Clinic provides in comparison to Health Care Access and how it is not a duplication of services.
Gray stated that they have a good working relationship with Health Care Access and that both agencies refer people back and forth. Depending on which figures are used, there are about 14,000 uninsured people in Lawrence and Health Care Access is only reaching about 10% of them. So, there is a great unmet need. Heartland Medical Clinic has doctors on staff at all times whereas Health Care Access has a nurse practitioner and refers people to doctors, so seeing a doctor is subject to the doctor’s schedule. At the Heartland Medical Clinic a doctor is on staff, so a person may be seen by a doctor the same day. Heartland Medical Clinic will see both insured and uninsured people, whereas Health Care Access only sees those with absolutely no medical benefits (no insurance, no VA benefits, no Medicaid, etc.). Heartland Medical Clinic also has x-ray facilities and lab testing, which is done in-house.
Nau asked under what circumstances the clinic would refer people to Health Care Access. Gray stated they would refer people when they were in need of a specialist, especially an orthopedic surgeon. People are also referred over because the hours are somewhat different. In January, the clinic saw over 300 people, roughly 50 of which would have gone to the emergency room had the clinic not been available.
Gray told a story about a homeless, diabetic gentleman who was in need of medical attention and had gone to Health Care Access. They were not able to help him since he was a veteran and referred him to the VA. The gentleman then went to the VA in Topeka, which told him they could not see him that day. He then went to the Emergency Room at LMH, which determined his case to not be a true emergency, thus they would not treat him. The gentleman then went to Heartland Medical Clinic and they were able to help him.
Nau noted that the clinic fills a gap.
Clark stated that she loves the project and is excited about it. She also asked about the opening date.
Gray said that the Leo Center would open the first week of April.
Ozark inquired about the hours of operation. Gray stated that he thought it would be Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Monday evenings until 7:30 p.m. Gray stated that eventually as the need arises, the clinic would be open more evenings and possibly Saturdays. Love Lawrence, Inc. will be open as they can staff it.
There followed a brief discussion regarding a 24 hour service line.
Stoops asked if Gray had considered applying for President Bush’s Faith Based Initiative program. Gray stated they planned on it, but would need some help with it.
Gray mentioned the clinic would eventually like to have a 24-hour facility where one could stay overnight, if need be. This would help those with severe health issues, like pneumonia, as it would give them a bed and place to stay.
Taliaferro said she liked the idea of having mentors and was glad to see this service developing. Having other agencies collaborate with this project makes it easier for people. Taliaferro asked if the mentoring program was limited to church communities because she thought there are a lot of people who might be interested in serving.
Gray replied the program was not limited, but there would be background checks and guidelines.
Other Community Updates
Ozark announced the next Coalition for Homeless Concerns meeting is March 9, 2004, 3:00 p.m. at the Heartland Church. Also, Warm Hands will end on Sunday, February 29, 2004.
Johnson stated he created a brief outline of a case management unit. He suggested the Task Force use “coordination of services” rather than “duplication of services.” Johnson added that the United Way would consider organizational oversight.
Ozark stated that having the United Way on board would help establish credibility noting that the United Way has good public appeal and businesses contribute to it. Collaboration with them would be beneficial.
Schneider stated the public would want a firm plan in order to get financial support from the community.
Johnson noted the Task Force would have to come up with the seed money.
Clark noted the case manager unit would more than likely have to start with one or two case managers and fill the gap slowly doing outreach and relationship building.
Johnson left the meeting.
There followed a brief discussion regarding success stories, how to get positive press, and possible incentives to landlords for renting to the homeless. Suggestions included publishing success stories in the paper, bridging gap in community (between homeless population and community), holding annual dinner promoting someone who succeeded in getting off the streets and those that helped, and providing guaranteed security deposits to landlords.
Stoops commented that for every dollar he would spend on homelessness he would spend 50 cents on prevention, 25 cents on support, and 25 cents on outreach.
The Task Force broke for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and Rundle reconvened the meeting at 12:38 p.m.
Committee Updates
No committee updates to report.
Beeman left the meeting.
Discussion of Gaps Report and Case Management Proposal
Rundle asked for input on how to frame the discussion. Swarts suggested Nau provide a brief update on the handout.
Nau stated that the report is structured so that the numbered items are the identified gap in the community and the lettered items are how that gap is addressed in one fashion or another. Added information is shaded in light gray or yellow, if printed on a color printer.
Rundle commented that the enigma for him is who will do the oversight of the case management unit if it is independent.
Clark suggested trying to get the current case managers to begin meeting and talk about services in general, not individualized cases, in hopes of better coordinating efforts made. There followed a discussion regarding case managers and the sharing of information.
Taliaferro suggested pulling together all the information the Task Force gathered. She stated that at the January meeting, they decided the case management unit was the way to do it. The case management unit was proposed to assist the homeless and not be bound by the restrictions for existing agencies assisting homeless beyond those in the field of social work. These case managers would try to identify the needs of homeless persons and direct them to services. She stated that in the course of directing the homeless, the case managers may refer them to some other place, which allows them to develop a relationship and anything that could be shared, would be shared. She added that with really effective mentoring, they can work closely with personal relationships. Once the idea gets going, the details will be cleared up. She stated that one could get the community supportive of a case management unit if it points to a clear, simple, concise unified idea.
Clark clarified that her idea was to get something going in the interim while actively pursuing the case management unit idea.
Dinsdale pointed out that two ideas emerged from the January meeting: (1) homeless persons need more case workers; and (2) there needs to be more coordination for sharing information and resources need to be used more effectively. She asked how agencies could share information due to privacy issues.
Nau stated the Leo Center’s programs are designed similarly to case management and it would be more cost effective to have the Leo Center perform the case management duties, stating it would take less money to fund the Leo Center than to fund a full case management unit.
Swarts commented the issue of credibility of the program would come in to play when everything is volunteer-based versus having trained and licensed professionals. Swarts added that funders are heavily scrutinizing services and want to see a reduction in duplication.
Ozark stated that it is the spirit of the program (case management unit) to reduce duplication. He stated that it looks like they are moving in the right direction.
Swarts stated the Task Force needs to be thinking about what are the savings.
Stoops stated that the outside world believes homeless persons are mentally ill and in need of counseling. He suggested playing on that belief and set it as a goal so that everyone who wants case management could get case management.
Schneider commented the community wants to see a plan that would make a difference and in that plan they want to see how the Task Force plans to deal with the issues of people on the streets who won’t accept help along with the transients and predators. He stated the plan needs to address these concerns and suggested the shelters require guests to complete a LDCHA application. LDCHA’s background check would eliminate the population he is really concerned about.
Stoops said continued outreach was the best way to reach those on the street that are not participating in services. It took him 15 years to finally bring one individual he knew off the streets. He further noted that predators are more prevalent in housing than they are on the streets.
Schneider reiterated that transients are indeed a problem in this community and this plan should at least acknowledge the problem exists.
Ozark thought the problem would be addressed as the plan is developed and implemented, especially if law enforcement will initiate community policing and build relationships with the service providers and homeless community.
Schneider felt the community would provide more support for efforts to address homelessness if they feel their concerns are being addressed.
Hartnett agreed with Schneider in the sense that community needs and concerns need to be addressed, but disagrees with the approach. Focus should be on the strengths of people and how the public can assist people with securing jobs and housing. They need to support homeless persons in a positive and compassionate way.
Taliaferro commented the case management unit would help address these issues as well as public education and discussion. With the unit in place there would be a single place concerned citizens could call. On the flip side homeless persons could also call with their concerns.
Davis asked if the Leo Center could be the centralized intake site and whether the City would pay to provide case managers.
Dinsdale stated the Leo Center was could not accept funding that prohibits Christian activities.
Rundle suggested that E.C.K.A.N. supervise the case managers.
Dinsdale stated that it was her understanding that many of the laws are in place that would allow people to feel safer if they were better enforced. She commented that if there were more case workers addressing needs, than more laws could be enforced. The community would become stronger and law enforcement would be more effective.
Rundle said that many of the concerns presented by Schneider are really law enforcement issues and that community policing would help address them. With community policing the police get to know the homeless persons/providers and vice versa.
Ozark commented that he is aware of numerous people on the police force that work diligently to help address homeless problems and build relationships, thus community policing would be a step toward continuing to build and develop relationships with service providers and the homeless population.
Dinsdale noted that a law enforcement officer has yet to attend a meeting.
Rundle stated that he would speak with Chief Olin and have someone attend the next meeting.
Nau pointed out that if the police were to share “Wanted” posters with the service agencies, they could post them in their business where everyone could see them, which may reduce or eliminate the population of which Schneider has expressed concern.
Schneider and Clark both agreed and also felt that it would make homeless persons feel more a part of the community.
Schneider also stated that he liked the idea of the police visiting locations on a regular basis. He also said he would talk to the public he has heard from to see if these ideas would address their concerns and if they would be interested in attending a meeting to express their concerns.
Clark asked how to bridge the gap when people are scared.
Dinsdale suggested getting people involved and volunteering.
Schneider suggested a paragraph in the report on this.
Dinsdale stated that there would have to be parameters and rules for volunteering, so people would feel safe.
The topic turned to homeless management information systems (HMIS) and centralized intake. The committee was updated on the progress of getting the HMIS established in Lawrence. The Salvation Army has MAACLink on their computers and will begin using it soon. They are linked to the K.C. database. Plans are to secure funding to permit other interested agencies with getting on the K.C. database with MAACLink. There followed a brief discussion regarding how to currently share information and intake forms as an interim process.
Rundle suggested a subcommittee form to review the possibility of getting a standardized intake form established amongst all service providers. This would allow an individual to carry a copy of their form with them and reduce the time they spend “telling their story.”
Clark also suggested a subcommittee form to discuss communication between existing case workers in Lawrence. Dinsdale and Terwelp agreed to participate on this subcommittee.
Those interested in being on either of these subcommittees should contact Nau.
Taliaferro noted that the Lawrence Open Shelter needs a new representative for the Task Force because Tom Wright is no longer with LOS.
Clark stated that she would contact Loring Henderson.
Huppee suggested the Downtown Lawrence Association be invited to a meeting to discuss their concerns.
Rundle stated the next meeting is scheduled for March 30, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room.
Adjournment
The Task Force adjourned by acclamation at 2:00 p.m.