Title
Receive a presentation from the Downtown Street Team on building volunteer work teams that incorporate case management and employment services for people experiencing homelessness.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a presentation from the Downtown Street Team on building volunteer work teams that incorporate case management and employment services for people experiencing homelessness.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
At the July 20, 2017 Health Human Services Committee meeting, it was requested that the Department of Social Services arrange for a presentation by the Downtown Streets Team (DST) to the full Board of Supervisors. DST builds Teams of unhoused volunteers (Team Members) that provide dignity, hope, purpose and a path out of homelessness - all while beautifying their community.
Team Members, who are individuals experiencing homelessness or other low-income volunteers, support and hold each other accountable while earning a basic needs stipend to get them out of survival mode. They also earn access to case management, employment and referral services. The model has been lauded as a best practice and unique approach to ending homelessness on an individualized level while changing community perceptions about homelessness. To date the model has over 1,500 success stories and has expanded to eight communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This presentation by DST has been coordinated with County Administrative Office.
FINANCING:
There is no financing associated with this presentation. DST is building awareness for services while seeking philanthropic resources to build program services in the Salinas Chinatown Community.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This presentation correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by working towards the goals of improving self-esteem and quality of life for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director Social Services, x4430