In November 2014, the Board approved “Forging Ahead Towards Preventing and Ending Homelessness: An Update to Contra Costa’s 2004 Strategic Plan”, that renewed our 2004 plan with the latest data, best practices, and community feedback and reaffirmed our commitment to the Housing First approach. As such, “Forging Ahead” establishes this guiding principle: “Homelessness is first a housing issue, and necessary supports and services are critical to help people remain housed. Our system must be nimble and flexible enough to respond throught shared responsibility, accountability, and transparency of the community.” The Strategic Plan Update identifies two goals: 1) Decrease the length of time people experience homelessness by focusing on providing Permanent Housing and Services and; 2) Decrease the percentage of people who become homeless by providing Prevention activities.
To achieve these goals, three strategies emerged:
1) Implement a coordinated entry/assessment system to streamline access to housing and services while addressing barriers, getting the right resources to the right people at the right time;
2) Use best, promising , and most effective practices to give the consumer the best possible experience through the strategic use of resources; and
3) Develop the most effective platforms to provide access, support advocacy, and connect to the community about homelessness and available resources.
The Homeless Program partners with the Homeless Advisory Board and Continuum of Care to develop and carryout an annual action plan that identifies the objectives and benchmarks related to each of the goals and strategies of Forging Ahead. Further, the Homeless Program incorporates the strategic plan goals into its own delivery system of comprehensive services, interim housing and permanent supportive housing as well as contracting with community agencies to provide additional homeless services and housing with the goal of ending homelessness in our community.
On May 9, 2016, the Family and Human Services Committee received the attached reports and approved forwarding them to the full board for informational purposes.
Since 1990, the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program has provided health care services to the homeless population in Contra Costa County through mobile clinics, stationary health centers and the Concord Medical Respite facility. Health care services provided by the HCH team include routine physical assessments, basic treatment of primary health problems such as minor wounds and skin conditions, respiratory problems, TB screening, acute communicable disease screening, coordination and referrals for follow up treatment of identified health care needs, dental services, health education, behavioral health services and outreach and enrollment services.
On May 9, 2016, the Family and Human Services Committee received and approved the attached reports from the Health Services Department and approved for them to be forwarded to the full Board for review.
There is no consequence of a negative action. The Health Services Department provides the annual Continuum of Care Plan for the Homeless and the Health Care for the Homeless Report to the Board of Supervisors in a public meeting to allow the public an opportunity to review and comment on the report.