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Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners <br />February 3, 2009 <br /> 25 <br />difficult to think about looking for work, signing up for additional schooling, or doing <br />counseling. Part of the plan to prevent homelessness requires that basic needs be met as a <br />matter of course. Our survey data revealed that there is a need for longer hours of operation <br />as well as weekend hours of operation at the county food banks. Options for how these <br />agencies can be supported in their mission need to be studied by this committee. <br /> <br />B. Providing Life Skills Information and Other Supportive Services <br /> <br />Even with a “Housing First” approach, unless supportive services are made available, it is <br />unlikely that individuals and families will maintain stable housing. A large percentage of the <br />homeless, especially those who are chronically homeless, have multiple auxiliary issues. Very <br />commonly, these include mental health and substance abuse issues or a history of domestic <br />violence. Many lack employment and budgeting skills, a good rental history, and/or parenting <br />skills. Transportation can be an issue for many individuals and families who rely on public <br />transit to get to appointments or work, which has limited hours and days of operation in this <br />county. Children without housing stability lack social skills and may lag behind <br />developmentally, making it difficult to succeed in school without extra support. A strong core <br />of community volunteers could provide the kind of mentoring and support needed to get <br />homeless persons and families into job training, life skills training. These volunteers could also <br />serve as advocates for individuals and families who lack communication and negotiating skills to <br />deal with apartment managers, bill collectors, etc. <br /> <br />The level of supportive services required will vary from household to household. Some <br />individuals and families require daily contact, while others may only need case management in <br />the form of a once a month contact. The amount of services may change over time, as well. <br />Many require intensive support initially, which can taper off over time. However, there will <br />always be some individuals and families requiring intensive support indefinitely. Services <br />provided must be individualized to meet the household’s needs including working with the <br />education, business, health care, faith based and social service communities to help stabilize <br />homeless families and individuals. Developing creative employment and educational <br />opportunities is critical to helping homeless obtain steady employment. <br /> <br />What Needs to Happen: 2009 By 2012 By 2015 <br />Collaborate with community partners to plan and implement <br />annually, Project Kittitas County Connects which is a one day, <br />service fair that connects the homeless and underserved <br />populations to much needed services. <br />X <br />Work with community agencies to identify and train a core of <br />community volunteers to help support homeless families and <br />individuals as they integrate back into self-sufficiency. <br /> X <br />Support services of volunteers in medicine, free clinics, <br />providing medical treatment to homeless and low-income <br />clients. <br />X <br />Provide a county wide coordinated database system () to track <br />homeless families and individuals to self sufficiency. X <br />Explore ways to provide addresses for individuals and families <br />to acquire an address in order to qualify for services. X