Memorandum
Date: March 7, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Todd Metcalf, Director of Behavioral Health Services Department as the lead administrative entity for the Lake County Continuum of Care
Subject: Review of the Lake County Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry System Policy.
Executive Summary:
In 2021, Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department, as the lead administrative entity for the Lake County Continuum of Care, led a community-wide strategic planning and implementation process to transform the homeless housing and service system. Through an analysis of data regarding homeless housing and service interventions and the individuals and families they serve, the Continuum of Care (CoC) Executive Committee has identified goals and strategies to prevent and end homelessness, including the county-wide implementation of a Coordinated Entry (CE) process for residents experiencing a housing crisis. CE is a process for individuals and families in Lake County who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness to access needed homelessness prevention, housing, and other services. CE incorporates uniform screening and assessment, prioritization and program matching, and connections to mainstream services to help those in need obtain housing stability more effectively and efficiently. The CE system will be implemented comprehensively across the county. CE enrollment and access to services will be led by Adventist Health.
Alternative locations throughout the county and physical sites, including peer support centers operated by LCBHS, provide standardized CE enrollment, assessments, and referral to services, including specialized services. In addition to established CE sites, partner agencies also provide services where individuals and families experiencing homelessness are known to live, ensuring that unsheltered individuals and families are enrolled in CE and have support from to access needed services. Every CE site offers information and referral services to any individual or family seeking assistance and refers individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness. Site staff will use this policy as guidance while working with individuals and families to not only address their current housing crisis, but their immediate barriers to housing stability by making direct referrals to tailored services offered by CE service partners, including behavioral health services, and a range of employment and job training programs.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: _N/A__ Amount Budgeted: _ N/A_ Additional Requested: _ N/A__ Future Annual Cost: _N/A_
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Review and provide feedback on the Lake County Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry System Policy.