Support Services
We believe in each person individually and holistically, working with them to identify their unique strengths, resources, and values. We then work with them to develop a plan for overcoming barriers and finding housing for them and their families.
Service Center
The engagement process facilitated by the Guest Service Associates (GSAs) and Case Managers, often opens the door to a neighbor’s involvement beyond utilizing basic services. The intake process ensures comprehensive assessment to identify appropriate short & long-term interventions. The Triage Team offers same day meetings to make immediate referrals for shelter or housing, medical care, mental health care, legal and vocational services.
Additionally, the team uses same day appointments with clients to address their need to secure personal identification documents, clothing and transportation.
Employment Services
Neighbors who seek assistance with vocational goals are referred to RISE (Reaching for Independence and Self Sufficiency through Employment) at Horizon House. Enrollment in this program provides access to job readiness training, an internet-connected computer lab and vocational case management — all in an effort to help meet neighbors’ educational and employment goals.
Employment services include application assistance, resume writing, mock interviewing, transportation assistance, and employment clothing. Neighbors also have access to a dedicated phone line with voice mail service, enabling reliable communication with potential employers. Offering a job readiness workshop and customized individual coaching, job seekers are prepared to secure better jobs with true potential for financial independence and self-sufficiency.
Housing Relocation & Support Program
The primary goal of intensive case managers working with neighbors in housing is to establish rapport, follow the client’s lead, and maintain commitment to housing first principles.
Intensive Case Managers work with each individual and family to develop an individualized goal plan that helps create a road map for the support offered. The plan is flexible and adaptable as situations and life circumstances change. Some goals that can be worked on include but are not limited to helping repair damaged credit histories, coordinating medical and mental health appointments, obtaining and maintaining mainstream benefits and income sources, employment opportunities, access to community resources, addressing childcare needs, referrals and support for substance use. Safe and affordable housing is sought with assistance from the Housing Team, and additional resources are provided to ensure housing stability.
Street Outreach
- The Street Outreach Team works to function in a street and community capacity; and, utilizes various modes of transportation, such as walking, bicycling, and driving an outreach van to initiate contact with individuals experiencing homelessness.
- The Street Outreach Team works to implement effective engagement strategies in a street outreach setting; distribute material accommodations, such as hygiene items, water, food, and blankets; provide service coordination, such as emergency shelter, medical/mental health, and substance abuse treatment.
- The Street Outreach Team works to establish a “low to no” threshold for service coordination with the intention of connecting individuals with supportive services and resources that meet individualized needs.
- The Street Outreach Team works to provide assessment and intensive case management services by completing Coordinated Entry System (CES) housing assessments for the purpose of preparing pathways for housing stability.
- The Street Outreach Team works within frameworks that support best practices and professional standards, such as the harm reduction model, strengths-based and person-centered approaches.
- The Street Outreach Team works within a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team approach to support collaborative street outreach practices.
- The Street Outreach Team works in conjunction with the Professional Blended Street Outreach (PBSO) Team, a collaborative consortium of 20 homeless service provider organizations. PBSO is designed to support the impactful street outreach work with effective communication/coordination efforts that maximize community resources and safeguard outreach capacity.
For all Street Outreach-related inquiries, please email Felix at [email protected]