Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Margene K. Swarts, Assistant Director,  Planning and Development Services
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director, Planning and Development Services
Date:	February 16, 2010
RE:	Bert Nash Outreach Case Management

At the January 26, 2010 City Commission meeting, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center provided a letter for the January 26, 2010 City Commission agenda regarding the Homeless Outreach Case Management program and requesting an amendment to the 2010 contract to reduce the number of case managers from four to three.  At the request of other interested parties for further discussion of this issue, the item was deferred by the City Commission to the February 23, 2010 City Commission agenda. 

Subsequently, Bert Nash staff met with representatives of the Lawrence Community Shelter, The Salvation Army, ECKAN, and City staff to discuss the program and proposed changes as noted by Bert Nash.  During the meetings, Bert Nash noted the original goals of the program and acknowledged that as time passed, in an effort to provide these services with four case managers, it was necessary for Bert Nash to subsidize some of the costs.  Since 2007, Bert Nash has suffered significant financial funding cuts and as a result has reviewed all of their programs to determine how to best move forward.  It was apparent that Bert Nash could not continue to subsidize the Homeless Outreach Case Managers and one solution is to reduce the number of case managers from four to three. 

The proposal from Bert Nash would be to make that reduction, while maintaining the current PATH worker who is funded through a state/federal initiative and will continue to work with the homeless team focusing on persons who are homeless and have mental illness.  As a result, there would still be a total of four staff working on homeless issues.  It is anticipated that the impact on the original goals of the program will be minimal. 

1) To outreach to homeless individuals who are not eligible for services elsewhere with the goal of assisting them to secure permanent housing.  It has been determined that homeless individuals are able to find service locations and actively engage in services.  The primary need identified is to help individuals without homes find housing;

2) To utilize/coordinate and not duplicate the services of other homeless providers.  This continues to be a goal but with a recommendation of a more centralized referral option.  Since 2006, more homeless providers have added case management services and housing options have expanded with E-Housing and the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program (HPRP) through the Lawrence- Douglas County Housing Authority; and

3) To utilize the expertise of the Bert Nash Center staff in working with persons with mental health and substance abuse problems that are homeless.  Bert Nash continues to have homeless case managers work with these individuals but plan to transfer them to mental health case management as soon as feasible.  Also, more staff is providing case management as well as staff who will be specifically trained to assist clients in obtaining disability income. 

The Community Commission on Homelessness (CCH) met on February 9, 2010, received the letter from Bert Nash regarding the reduction, and heard a presentation from Eunice Ruttinger and David Johnson regarding the proposal.  After discussion, the CCH voted unanimously to ask staff to submit a memorandum to the City Commission supporting the Bert Nash program changes and reducing the case managers funded through the City from four to three.

Should you have further questions, please let me know.