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During the first week at the shelter, each client meets with a staff member to complete an assessment of strengths and needs. This assessment helps to identify client resources, strengths, and preferences, as well as the client’s need for medical and/or psychiatric services, healthcare insurance, housing assistance (e.g., Shelter Plus Care), drug treatment, job training, or other supportive services. Upon completion of the assessment, each client is assigned to a shelter staff member, who helps the client develop and execute a plan for meeting the identified needs. Staff members work with clients to identify the type of housing that best meets the client’s needs, preferences, skills, and income. Staff members then help clients to locate appropriate housing units, negotiate an arrangement with the property owner, purchase needed items, and move into the chosen housing unit.
When ready, clients are linked with providers of the services they need. Most are linked with an MHS outreach program. Clients who need a service not offered by MHS are referred directly to a community provider of that service. Once a client begins to participate in services at MHS or at another community agency, staff members continue to provide encouragement and support to stabilize the relationship with the primary provider. The building in which the ESDM is located also houses an MHS program offering supportive services during afternoons and evenings, before the shelter opens. Shelter clients are encouraged to utilize these services.
Clients participate in shelter operations through monthly meetings with staff members for discussions of program policies, activities, and ways to improve program performance. Clients also take part in the daily cleaning and maintenance of the shelter. These activities promote the clients’ sense of ownership of the shelter and enable staff members to help clients develop the skills required for independent living, such as laundry, ironing, sweeping/mopping floors, and cleaning the bathrooms. Clients may use the shelter address to receive their checks and mail.
Shelter funding is from the City of Cleveland, the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners (Jimmy Dimora, Tim Hagan, and Peter Lawson Jones), administered by the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services; the Emergency Shelter Grant Program administered by the Ohio Department of Development; the Cleveland Foundation; and private and corporate donors.
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