5.1 Retooling Transitional Housing II: Implementing Changes to Your Program

Retooling Transitional Housing IIImplementing Changes to Your ProgramFebruary 10, 2012 Kay Moshier McDivitt Capacity Building Associate kmoshiermcdivitt@naeh.org

Retooling Transitional Housing II:Implementing Changes to Your Program Speakers Kay Moshier McDivitt, Moderator National Alliance to End Homelessness David Jordon, Executive Director Agape Child and Family Services, Memphis TN Heather Lyons, Senior Program Manager Corporation for Supportive Housing

Implementing Changes to Your Program Assessment and Planning Stage: Develop a Planning Committee (30-60 days)  Assess and Evaluate the Current Program  Analyze current program data including length of stay, exits to permanent housing  Identify the “re-tooling” model  Model type, target populations, staffing configurations, partnerships, merging  Identify issues  barriers and solutions, staff, board and funding concerns, population served, new outcome measurements  Identify questions  Feasibility including funding, contract revisions, community buy-in,  Final recommendation and implementation Plan

Lancaster County PA Experience – 2006 • 54 room facility based 24 month Transitional Housing Program with mandated minimum of 6 months intensive menu program services • Average LOS was 13 months with 35% “graduation” rate – Today • Transitioned to a “rapid exit” model – 105 days from entry to permanent housing exit • Length of stay not program or participation driven • Determined by individual housing plan to find permanent housing, not by program “requirements” • Developed service partnerships to provide the supportive services and housing stabilization services • Less dependence on the program 4

Implementing Changes to Your Program Our Assessment Process  Planning committee included board, staff, community members and funders/donors  Established clear steps and a time line  Evaluated our data and best practice models  Set the vision, and plan for implementation

Implementing Changes to Your Program Assessment Process: What we found  Program “requirements” created barriers  Many households exited for non participation with mandatory services  Trying to be “all” to “all issues”  Creating a “cycle of dependency”  Folks asking to come back even after program completion to access services  Not aligned with the community Ten Year Plan

Implementing Changes to Your Program 1. Set the vision and core values Successful move to a permanent solution in the shortest amount of time with households connected to community resources and services that can support them in the outside community

Implementing Changes to Your Program Implementation Phase: 4-6 months 1. Set the vision and identify core values for model 2. Develop the new organizational structure 3. Obtain strong board support 4. Obtain staff buy-in and develop necessary training 5. Identify benchmarks and outcomes 6. Modify funding contracts and identify new funding sources 7. Identify collaborations and partnerships needed 8. Determine use of building/facilities 9. Set the start date for implementation

Implementing Changes to Your Program 1. Set the core values  Switch from a “housing readiness” approach to “rapid exit” approach  Shift from “what you need to do to stay here successfully” to “what you need to leave here quickly and successfully”  Redefining of “who we are” and “how we do business”-a paradigm shift

Implementing Changes to Your Program 2. Develop the new organizational structure  Incorporate the “Rapid Exit Approach” into our mission statement  Develop a program flow chart  Identify role of staffing and training needs  Update policies and procedures  Identify the community partnerships, collaborations and resources needed  Proposed budget/funding adjustments  Develop a clear communication plan (internal and external communication)

Implementing Changes to Your Program 3. Obtain strong Board support  Who are the proponents on your Board-use them to engage other Board members  Part of the assessment process  Board member took the plan to the Board for approval  Lots of education on Ten Year Plan and the Rapid Exit Approach

Implementing Changes to Your Program4. Staff Role, Buy-In and Training Develop a plan to shift organizational culture  Reframed “change” as “new opportunities” Focus on “moving folks to housing more quickly” Clear expectations-New job descriptions Training, Training, Training  Began with weekly meetings Map out the new program and how it will work (process mapping) Squelch negativity-”this is our program vision”

Implementing Changes to Your Program 5. Identify benchmarks and outcomes  Identify clear targets for implementation  Set outcome targets with quarterly reviews  Consumer shift  Give a sense of urgency from day one  Focus on moving out instead of moving in  Offer training/groups that directly correlate to obtaining and maintaining housing  Programs Targets:  Increase exits to Permanent Housing to 70%  Decrease LOS to 6 months or less

Implementing Changes to Your Program 6. Secure Funding (current and new) • Set up meetings with funders to communicate plan and modify contracts – Include funders in the “Planning Phase” – Be ready to show data for plan – Donor communication is critical • Identify potential new sources of funding

Implementing Changes to Your Program 7. Partnerships (Less dependence on the program)  Identify needed housing stabilization services  Connect with mainstream organizations  Meet with identified service providers  MOU’s identify role and responsibility of each providers  Connect with landlords/housing programs  Landlord engagement  Faith community  Collaborate with other proponents of your model in the community

Implementing Changes to Your Program 8. Building/Facility  Explore options for facility  What role does it play in the new model  Explore all funding issues  We still used the building as a site based model; Current exploration of potential to sell or move to another model

Implementing Changes to Your Program 9. Get Started- It Works! Lancaster Program:  Redefined length of stay, immediate focus on permanent housing plan  Service provision is through external sources rather than internal staff  Redefined staff role to housing locators, supportive service coordinators, housing stabilizers  Outcomes and indicators focus on moving to permanent affordable housing  Established community partnerships  Development of landlord partnerships

Implementing Changes to Your Program 2010 Results 72% of households in the Transitional Living Center moved to permanent leased housing in an average of 105 days 94% maintained that permanent housing for six months 82% for a year

Implementing Changes to Your Program Next Steps 1. Who are the change agents in you will connect with as you make this transition? 1. In your organization? 2. On your board? 3. In the business and/or funding community? 4. In the provider community? 2. What funding sources are likely to be at risk? What other funding streams can you tap into? 3. What are 2 critical things that will need to change (that are in your control) to make this shift? 1. One “stop-doing” item 2. One “start-doing” item 4. What is one activity or asset that your organization currently does/has that can be leveraged in this transition?

Final Thoughts Re-tooling your transitional housing program requires a culture that embraces change Clear vision and goals are imperative Community involvement and partnerships Prepare a good communication plan Evaluate and adjust Be prepared for challenges Build on successes: celebrate small victories “Its not the letting go that hurts, it’s the holding on”.

5.1 Retooling Transitional Housing II: Implementing Changes to Your Program

by National Alliance to End Homelessness

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

1 Embed 242

Statistics

5.1 Retooling Transitional Housing II: Implementing Changes to Your Program Presentation Transcript