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Coordinated Assessment Model

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The Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) is a systemic approach to homeless programming that focuses on aligning the needs of households that are experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis with the best program to address their needs.

About

The Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) is responsible for developing a Coordinated Assessment Process for the Detroit Continuum of Care, which includes numerous local organizations and initiatives that serve the homeless population.  Southwest Solutions serves as the CAM Lead Agency in this process, which is being implemented jointly by our agency and HAND.

The CAM process will direct households that are in need of homeless assistance to a common access point where they are assessed using a universal screening and subsequently, a common assessment tool. Based on the thorough assessment, a coordinated referral will be made to the most appropriate service provider in the Detroit Continuum of Care.

CAM aims to improve Detroit’s homeless system and effect:

  • Greater accessibility to programs for households in need of assistance
  • Better alignment of resources with community need
  • Reductions in homelessness

Households will also see better outcomes as it will no longer be left to chance that they are receiving the most appropriate services available given their needs.

Housing Resource Center

Our supportive housing programs to address homelessness are located at our Housing Resource Center (HRC). The HRC is at 1600 Porter St., Detroit, 48216.

Rental and Leasing Assistance Program

The clients at Southwest Counseling Solutions lack a fixed and adequate nighttime residence. They reside at public or privately operated shelters designed to provide temporary living accommodations or in a place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

The Rental and Leasing Assistance Program is a HUD funded program at Southwest Counseling Solutions which is designed to provide housing and supportive services for homeless individuals.

Eligibility Requirements

The person must be a single or accompanied adult with a severe and persistent mental illness or co-occurring illness and who is literally homeless.

Documentation Required

  • State issued identification for household members 18 years and older
  • Social Security card for all household members
  • Birth Certificates (dependent children ONLY)
  • Narrative Statement
  • Verification of homelessness
  • Verification of Disability (VOD)
  • Psychiatric evaluation
  • Chronically Homelessness Statement, if applicable

Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent Supportive Housing provides case management and community support to clients housed through Southwest Solutions’ subsidies. Our team of clinicians works with clients, landlords, and other community agencies to help the client address those issues that might put them at risk for future homelessness. Our goal is to help people stay stable in housing.

Our agency follows the “Housing First” model of ending homelessness, which means we provide housing to the homeless person, and then offer the mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment that the person needs to pull his or her life together and reintegrate into society. To that end, we are not functioning as agents of law enforcement, nor do we have authority over clients. However, we can act as liaison between client and landlord to resolve issues before they become serious. As such, we encourage landlords to contact us with any concerns.

Rapid Rehousing

The Rapid Re-Housing Program provides rental assistance and security deposits as well as landlord advocacy, assistance with finding affordable housing and case management assistance to families and/or individuals who are homeless with the goal of moving them into permanent housing.

Homeless Prevention

The Homeless Prevention Program provides case management and grants to struggling households.

Piquette Square Support Services

The 150 formerly homeless veterans at our Piquette Square are still dealing with the issues that led to their becoming homeless. These issues include mental illness, PTSD, substance and alcohol abuse, medical problems, unemployment and underemployment, and more. The Piquette Square Supportive Services (PSSS) program seeks to address those issues through counseling, case management, and connecting the veterans to the resources they need at the VA, other government agencies, and community organizations. These supportive services are essential so that the veterans can maintain housing stability and regain functioning to rebuild their lives.

The PSSS staff consists of a Resident Service Coordinator, Clinical Housing Specialists, and a Program Supervisor, who, in collaboration with the veterans, develops, implements and monitors the veterans’ Housing Stability Plans.

Services are offered on site in the veteran’s unit or referrals to community partners and the VA Medical Center. The services include:

  • Assessment
  • Assistance In Maintaining Housing Upon Placement
  • Assistance And / Or Training In Activities Of Daily Living
  • Peer Counseling
  • Stage-Matched Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
  • Educational and Therapeutic Groups
  • Illness Management and Recovery
  • Advocacy Services with the Department of Human Services and Social Security
  • Information And Referral
  • Crisis Intervention And Stabilization
  • Information regarding contingency plans and safety checklist
  • Case Management Services
  • Budgeting and financial coaching

Based on the needs of the individual, the program makes referrals to outside agencies (i.e., VA Medical Center) for:

  • Alcohol And Other Drug Services/Treatment
  • Support Groups (AA, NA, Etc.)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitation
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Inpatient Psychiatric Services
  • Medical And General Health Care Follow Up
  • Supported Employment
  • Psychiatric Services – Medication Review And Evaluation
  • Nursing Services

Supportive Services for Veteran Families

The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program aims to improve very low income veteran families’ housing stability. SSVF provides outreach and case management services and assists participants in obtaining VA benefits and other public benefits. Veterans may qualify for short term rental assistance or assistance with first month’s rent, security deposit and /or utility assistance.

 

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Results

Our PSH program has placed over 2000 homeless persons into housing in the last decade.

94% of those helped into housing have remained in permanent housing for more than a year.

Because of the supportive services we provide, our housing retention rate is one of best in the nation.

We have received a national award for “Excellence in Innovation” from the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

95% of the responses to our client satisfaction survey are positive.

47% of those served make a meaningful clinical change.

43% of the participants make significant progress on their treatment goals.