There is verbiage in the proposed manual that clarifies the usage of funding on housing - the majority of clients who enter services are suffering from homelessness and substance abuse issues. Many have burned bridges with what used to be their natural support systems, but for individuals who attempt to go through non profits or state resources for the shelters —-they can’t get in due to a shortage on beds and Richmond just closed a shelter that displaced 1100 people. Tent city was removed - the state had no issue at that point housing those individuals in local hotels until they didn’t and those same individuals either resorted to crime, heavy drug usage, or crisis services with the hope of getting assistance. How do you propose we address the homelessness issue that arise when there are no housing resources available to the homeless population that is growing by the day?
The HUB: This was thrown at private providers, clients, and the CSBs with 2 weeks to make a miracle happen. There has been a significant uptick in burnout and no one seems to care except those of us who are on the ground facing these clients daily. The Hub has had more issues than an Android phone. There was an attempt at a training but the things that were promised as far as tracking, communication across the board , etc have not been delivered. Not to mention, who is operating this Hub when the CSBs have limited staff and can barely deliver their mandated services ? RBHA just started Mobile Crisis so how do we ensure that the calls that come in don’t all go to the CSB before making its way to private providers?
Housing: I want to point out that the new language condemns the usage of Crisis funds for housing clients but Anthem started their own crisis program on Dec 1 for their members up to the age of 25. Will they be required to adhere to the same guidelines?
Biggest question: What’s the goal ? Is the goal to weed out providers who are misusing funds ? Is the goal to eliminate the crisis program altogether ? I think it would be easier for all parties involved if we actually knew what you all were thinking. Are we fighting an uphill battle? Are we going back and forth just to find out that the entire service will be eliminated in 1 year? If fraud is an issue- get a task force together. No need to punish people who set out to do the right thing and help clients in need.
Service units : What can really be done in 3 days and 12 hours ? It takes longer to be approved for an apartment. When these decisions are made, are you talking to actual counselors for input or is this based on hearsay and assumptions? These clients deal with unspeakable trauma. Think about sitting down with a therapist. The first session is not where you lay it all out. It takes time. Rapport has to be built. As a state we are headed for a downward spiral. If the hospitals are at capacity, shelters are at capacity, and providers are being heavily policed ——where do you think the clients end up as a result? My guess is death, partaking in violent crimes , or flooding the cities.
