CMHCCC PATH PROGRAMJoe LeonardHomelessness SpecialistCommunity Mental Health Center of Crawford Countyjleonard@cmhccc.org

About PATH

• Grant funded• One case manager assigned to program• Initially intensive service then gradual reduction

as clients achieve & maintain stability• CSS Director provides supervision on PATH cases

& enters data into MAACLink

Case manager

• Provide community outreach to identify homeless & build working relationships with appropriate area agencies• Referral to area housing resources• Identifying other needs, such as medical &

mental health care & making appropriate referrals• Assists CSS Director with managing transitional

housing units

Current PATH caseload

• Eleven currently enrolled

• Five competitively employed• One will begin employment when SER placement finalized

• Three permanently housed• Three more projected to be housed by 06/01/15

CMHCCC Transitional Housing

• Two four-bedroom units designated for THU• No cost to client• 90 day stay (can be extended depending on

circumstances)• Client expected to cont. working with case mgr

to achieve stability

Women’s Renewal House

• Twelve bedroom shelter for women who have recently completed substance abuse Tx• PATH case mgr provides direction to appropriate

housing resources

PATH & community resources

• Referrals, Referrals, Referrals• Case mgr directs clients to Pittsburg Housing

Office, SEK-CAP, Rapid Rehousing, Salvation Army, VA, etc.• Assists with making initial contacts with

agencies & scheduling appointments• Assists with completing paperwork, such as

HUD or Rapid Rehousing applications• Problem solves with other agencies to improve

service delivery

THE REFERRAL PROCESS IS A TWO WAY STREET

• PATH case manager accepts referrals from area agencies to connect clients to mental health services• Extremely effective way to build relationships &

maintain contact between agencies• Crucial to building a community coalition

Other PATH outreach strategies

• Relationships with community partners• Education on PATH program• Homeless events at Wesley House• Involvement in community coalitions• Relevant community events• Word of mouth

Coordinating Agencies

• Local housing authorities• City & county law enforcement• Charitable organizations• County maintenance office• Interagency contacts• Ex: child services division of mental health

center

RAPID RE-HOUSING

• KANSAS HOUSING RESOURCE ORPORATION• CITY OF PITTSBURG

• KIM WILSON HOUSING

• Jami Crowder Program Manager

What is Rapid Re-housing?• A grant funded rental assistance program for literally homeless

families and individuals, created to move participants from homelessness to housed as quickly as possible.

• Requires that participants participate in case management services.

• Establish a plan for stable housing after short/medium term assistance.

• Continue with case management and strive to achieve established goals.

• Program can assist with financial barriers that are prohibiting participants from retaining housing; such as past utility and rent debts, leasing fees, advocacy and other supportive services.

Statistics

• 104 Individuals• 62 Adults• 42 Children• 43 Households applied• 8 households found other resources or did not follow through.• 35 Households leased up with program assistance• 24 Households housed.

Strategies• Saturation • Prepare flyers, e-mails, letters, etc. to each and every service

provider in your area.• Attend all provider meetings you can get invited to such as;

Coalitions, Ministerial Alliance, Agency team/department meetings, etc..

• Follow up with service providers periodically to remind them you are here.

• Host regular events for homeless and invite other service providers to participate.

• Be patient and build relationships.

• Become familiar with all the services available in your community.

• Stay current with what programs are open and when.• Make those referral calls, follow ups to agencies you are

referring your folks to.