Integrating TANF Resources into LA’s
Coordinated Family Solutions System
2014 National Conference on Ending Homelessness July 30, 2014
Dhakshike Wickrema Shelter Partnership, Inc.
Context: LA County
2• Over 4,000 Square Miles
• 5 County Supervisorial Districts
• 88 cities plus unincorporated areas
• 10 ESG entitlement jurisdictions
• 4 CoC jurisdictions
Context: LA County
3• 8 Service Planning Areas (SPAs)
• Over 10M residents
• 175,000 CalWORKs (TANF) families
• 13,656 CalWORKs homeless families
(broader homeless definition – not HUD)
• 7,590 persons in homeless families
Funders, Policy-Makers, Stakeholders
4Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office (CEO) Shelter Partnership, Inc.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Homeless Family Service Providers
Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC) Los Angeles City Housing and Community Investment Development Department (HCIDLA)
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Services (DMH)
Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) First 5 LA Commission (F5LA)
Shelter Partnership
5• Public policy and advocacy non-profit established in 1985
• Social policy, strategies and institutional interventions related to homelessness and affordable housing
• Technical assistance and advice to public agencies and community organizations
• Program design, procurement, implementation and evaluation
• Resource developer, disseminator of research and best practices, relationship broker, confidant and envoy
Before and After
6Why Did We Start on This Path?
7Continue the success of HPRP and rapid rehousing Secure sustainable funding for rapid rehousing
HEARTH ESG regulations
Regional approach to solve family homelessness in LA County
Fund most effective programs for families
Use resources in more efficient, targeted manner based on family’s strengths/needs
Planning Activities (2011-2013)
8First 5 LA Round 1
Planning Activities (2013-2014)
9First 5 LA Round 2
Planning Activities
10Family Transitions Project
-Summer 2011: Work group to lay foundation for coordinated system
Winter 2011-12 and Winter 2012-13: Family Transitions Project
211 (County’s social services hotline) and regional CBOs screening/assessing homeless families and coordinating access to motel vouchers
Previously, during Winter months, families would have to go to Single Adult shelters to access motel vouchers
Planning Activities
11Family Solutions Centers
-Winter 2011-12 and Spring 2012: Work Group to use ESG funds to continue HPRP RRH and build
coordinated system
$2M LA City and County ESG funds $1M County General Funds
Fund six Family Solutions Centers (FSCs)
Out-station TANF staff in four high-volume FSCs
Family Solutions Centers
12Planning Activities
13Family Solutions Centers (cont’d)
-Summer 2012: Family Solutions Centers RFP; planning for First 5 LA
Fall 2012: Family Systems Integration Manager hired
Winter 2012: FSC funding to six SPAs; First 5 LA funding
First Year FSC Outcomes
14Spring 2013: Family Solutions Centers launched First year of operation: Family Solutions Centers assessed over 2,100 unduplicated families
80% (1,769) literally homeless families
Over 700 families rapidly rehoused
257 in interim housing pending placement in PH 570 connected to interim housing
20% (400+) families at imminent risk of homelessness
279 retained housing/diverted from homeless system 122 connected to interim housing
More Planning Activities
15Augmenting the Family Solutions Centers
-Spring 2013: County Board of Supervisors’ directive to integrate $7M TANF funds into FSCs
Summer/Fall 2013: County Redesign work group Winter 2013: Redesign Plan released and vetted by County and City; First 5 LA Round 2 funding
Family providers testified in strong support of plan Feb 2014: County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Redesign Plan
Augmented Family Solutions System
16Augmented Family Solutions Centers Family Response Team
Crisis intervention, diversion from shelter and access to crisis housing
Case management team
Standardized assessment
Targeted housing (including RRH, S8 and PSH) and services interventions Access to motel vouchers, crisis/interim housing
Out-stationed TANF “Homeless Case Managers” at each FSC
Expedited access to TANF services and benefits
Connection to TANF-funded subsidized employment
Out-stationed TANF-funded subcontractors at each FSC
Mental health services Substance use services
Access to Rapid Rehousing rental assistance
ESG and TANF
First 5 LA and SSVF
Augmented Family Solutions System
17Family Solutions/First 5 Coordination
18Challenges
19Ramping up all over again
More regions, more components and more personnel to coordinate
Increased referrals from TANF district offices Increased case loads
Need for administrative support
Lack of affordable housing and supportive housing Scarcity of crisis housing
Future Planning Activities
20New State resources for TANF families
Work closely with local TANF agency to ensure integration
Continue funding First 5 LA rental assistance for families with children below the age of 6
Build closer relationships with more public systems Current system completely funded with public funds – private foundation support could leverage
What Helped Us Get Here?
21Relationships, friendships, partnerships
Access to TANF leadership and other funders
LAHSA Director of Programs and County CEO Homeless Services Coordinator key players
CBO involvement/support
FSC funders’ meetings and working groups solidified existing relationships and forged new ones
Constant calls, emails and one-on-one meetings to convince stakeholders – persistence
Data, data, data and many, many fact sheets and briefs NAEH guidance and federal regulations/memos
What Can You Do?
22Determine which family programs in your community are working best – are there TANF families using that program?
Know which programs in your community are being funded by TANF – are they helping homeless families with housing?
What service can you offer TANF agency? Can you save them money? Write up what you want to achieve and use as advocacy brief
Build a relationship with TANF agency leadership Be a resource to funders and stakeholders
Participate in public commissions, committees and working groups Organize your local CBOs and provide unified voice
Contact Info
23Dhakshike Wickrema Senior Project Manager Shelter Partnership, Inc.
213-943-4583