Program:
Be the Change Van
- Budget:
-
$200,000
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Homeless
Program Description:
Initially launched February 2010 with a Saint Luke's Hospital Foundation grant, the van fills a gap in KC's homeless service netowrk. Operating from 5 p.m. and 1 a.m., it transports homeless from streets, stores and hospitals to a safe place and provides assistance and advocacy for those wanting off the street. Area hospitals, law enforcement and the homeless themselves call the van.
Daytime service was added to assist those in shelters, primarily women, families and youth.
The staff of paid employees, interns and case workers often provides assistane and advocacy in order to assure shelter acceptance.
Follow-up services include assistance in obtaining arranging shelter, detox rehabilitation or transitional living programs, required documentation, clothing and supplies, legal or medical services and moving to a new residence.
The van works closely with many area shelters, homeless service providers and agencies, hospitals and mental health services.
Program Long-Term Success:
The ultimate goal is to reduce the need and cost of emergency care for the homeless. This goal is achieved by providing a less expensive means than emergency services for the homeless to meet basic needs and by helping the homeless, especially the chronic homeless, off the street and thus eliminate their need.
In the first year, the program helped over 800 homeless, including 14 chronic homeless that entered transitional living. The 3,800 rides logged 60,000 miles, most within the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The program arranged shelter for 6,175 nights (722 at the program's expense). The program conservatively estimates $1,000,000 in hospital, ambulance, police and judicial fees was saved.
Program Short-Term Success:
Through the transportation, establish a relationship in order to learn a person's needs and desires so we can assist them, if appropriate.
Our goal is to have the homeless call us in a non-emergency situation rather than go to an emergency department, call an ambulance or require a call to the police.
We realize not all are ready to take major steps. For those clients, our goal is to be the one they call when they need help, whether that is shelter or getting into a program.
Many times, we take two steps forward and one back, but we realize that each night the person does not require emergency care, emergency care providers and the community have saved $1,500 to $5,400.
Program Success Monitored by:
The van tracks individuals served, sources, destinations and outcomes. Some provider partners share statistics on homeless usage of their services. We follow-up, if appropriate, with those we place and those we serve. Of course, the best measure is an unsolicited call thanking us.
Program Success Examples:
In the first 9 months, the van provided 2,000+ rides to 400+ individuals. Follow-up services were provided to 193 with 54 entering rehabilitation programs. Many others stabilized their living conditions.
One hospital attributed much of a 44% year-to-year reduction in homeless ED cases and the resulting $100,000+ savings to the van. Using the costs from "The Cost of Doing Nothing", a video by the KCMO Police Department, we estimate a fee savings to area hospitals, law enforcement, ambulance and courts in excess of $500,000 during this period.
A story that demonstrates how the van works involves a man who frequently got rides from several area hospitals. He had been on the street for years. We learned he was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We were able to assist him in getting treatment for alcoholism and in obtaining assisted living. Despite an unfavorable prognosis, his change in attitude was remarkable. He shares his story with others who might benefit.
Program:
Drop-In Center
- Budget:
-
$325,000
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Homeless
-
Other Named Groups
-
Substance Abusers (Drug/Alcohol Abusers)
Program Description:
The 30-bed Drop-In Center will provide shelter and professional services for those between programs or with placement pending. Other area agencies also see this need and have signed on to provide case workers, medical assistance, services and supplies.
The center, located in mid-town, will include kitchen and living space for individuals and families, offices for case workers and Artists Helping the Homeless. The BE THE CHANGE VANS will be based at the center.
The center can also provide access to professional services not currently available to homeless and transitional residents in the neighborhood.
The center will fill one of the network gaps currently met by using motels, which is expensive in terms of cost and personnel.
Program Long-Term Success:
The ultimate goal is to assist individuals in getting off the street by providing a safe place and needed services while they are in transition. We also seek to reduce the incidence of relapse for those in the community who may need services not currently readily available.
Program Short-Term Success:
- Treatment plan for 75% in place within 48 hours of admission.
- Maintaining commitment to a program during these early transitional periods.
- Developing a relationship to better match treatment with needs
- 99% placement of all persons referred to the van program.
- Reducing the cost, both financial and staffing, to our organization of using motels for this purpose.
Program Success Monitored by:
- Successful placement of treatment in de-tox and shelter programs
- Greater efficiency for the BE THE CHANGE VAN
Program Success Examples:
We are currently in the initial stage of this program.
Program:
Aged Out Youth Program
- Budget:
-
$50,000
- Category:
-
Housing, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Homeless
Program Description:
Another gap in the local homeless service network involves youth that, while they still may be in high school, are homeless because they age out of foster care. Like those in treatment, a bed may not be available when they must change shelters.
This program provides shelter, food, clothing, supplies, tutoring, transportation to school and, when appropriate, job assistance while working with these youth to find housing.
Program Long-Term Success:
A diploma or GED are instrumental in people obtaining meaningful employment. Our goal is to keep kids in school and off the street. We also assist youth in getting jobs, especially during the summer.
Program Short-Term Success:
In the 2010-11 school year, the program worked with 26 youth. Because of poor decisions and challenges, 4 were in this program much of the school year. 2 of the 4 graduated this summer. The other two are actively enrolled in a GED program.
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples: