1. Coordinated Entry - Supporting DV Survivors: Innovative Practices/ Emerging Best Practices Series: Connecticut’s Approach September, 2018

2. Agenda Landscape of services in CT CT Coordinated Entry 101
Collaboration in Connecticut
How the system works
Lessons Learned
Q&A

3. CT Coordinated Entry 101 – Domestic Violence Map

4. CT Coordinated Entry 101 – Housing Map

5. CT Coordinated Entry 101 - Geography

6. CT Coordinated Entry 101 - Process
211 is the universal front door to our system
Specialized Housing Contact Specialists handle all housing crisis calls
Provide a high level diversion screening
If client cannot be diverted – they are referred to the CAN of their choice
All Housing Contact Specialists are licensed HMIS
Our Coordinated Entry system also includes: hospitals, State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, State Department of Housing, and Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), outreach projects, etc.

7. Available resources DV system provides: DV shelter
Transitional housing for DV survivors
Minimal number of DV-specific PSH units
Lethality Assessment Program
Risk assessment
Safety planning
Legal advocacy
Counseling for DV survivors
Supports for children exposed to family violence
24/7 hotline (including Spanish-language hotline)

8. Available resources Homeless response system provides:
Shelter diversion services (problem-solving to resolve housing crisis and avoid homelessness)
Emergency homeless shelter
Rapid Re-Housing
Transitional Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing

9. Coordinated Access and DV survivors
We continue to build our Coordinated Access System (HUD sometimes refers to this as “Coordinated Entry”). We need to serve all populations eligible for housing assistance. This is a federal mandate that CT state agencies have adopted, as well.
“If the CoC’s coordinated entry process uses separate access points for people fleeing domestic violence, CoCs should take care to ensure that people who use the DV coordinated entry process can access homeless assistance resources available from the non-DV portion of the coordinated entry process and vice versa.”
HUD coordinated Entry Policy Brief

10. Creating a fair and equitable path to homeless response resources
Serving those who have survived DV means creating a specific path to homeless resources that respects their needs.
“HUD encourages CoCs to work with victim service providers within the CoC’s geographic area to establish client driven, trauma-informed and culturally-relevant assessment and screening tools, as well as referral policies and procedures, to ensure that the coordinated entry process addresses the physical and emotional safety, and privacy and confidentiality needs of participants. This includes… access to all available and appropriate housing options and related supportive services…”
HUD coordinated Entry Policy Brief

11. Serving housing needs through data while adhering to VAWA
CT’s Coordinated Access system relies on the best practice of using housing registries, administered through HMIS. We need to incorporate DV clients seeking housing assistance into those registries in a fair way, while protecting confidentiality – a critical matter of safety for DV survivors. 
“CoCs must work with domestic violence programs in their communities to ensure … a process for providing confidential referrals, and a data collection process consistent with the Violence Against Women Act.” 
HUD coordinated Entry Policy Brief

12. HUD homeless resources and DV survivors
To be eligible for HUD homeless housing resources, those seeking assistance must fall into HUD categories (1) or (4).  Criteria for Homeless Definition, Category 4 are:
“Any individual or family who:
(i) Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence;
(ii) Has no other residence; and
(iii) Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing” 
Homeless Definition
FOR STEVE: should emphasize that making housing resources available is intended to help create flow through the DV system, hopefully opening up DV shelter for those in need, who we hope can always be served by that emergency resource when they have no option but to flee their homes.

13. Specific urgency in DV cases
Securing housing for a DV survivor in some cases carries a specific level of urgency.
We have developed a system to flag such cases, so that Coordinated Access Networks can assist them as a priority.

14. Core elements of systemic collaboration
Leadership (CCEH/CCADV/State of CT Department of Housing)
Check-in With National Partners
Identification of shared principles
Establishment of policy and protocols
Communication
Training
Collection of Data
Ongoing Technical Assistance and Support

15. How the system works
Access to permanent housing solutions in CT is provided by the prioritized by-name-list, that is kept entirely in CT HMIS.
When DV providers identify a person or family in need of those resources, they provide a deidentified set of information to CCADV
CCADV provides a further deidentified set of information to CCEH
Unique client ID (e.g. "CCADV2")
CAN in which client seeks housing placement
VI-SPDAT score (number only)
Housing type required (number of rooms)
Chronically homeless (Y/N)
High risk priority, per response on lethality screen (Y/N)
Point of Contact (at CCADV)
CCEH enters the information into CT HMIS – alerts the CAN to the new enrollment
DV providers attend housing matching meetings to advocate for their client(s)

16. How the system works

17. How the system works Live Tracking Document Client Unique ID#
CCEH Submission Date
CCEH Acceptance Date
Coordinated Access Network
Notes
CCADV1
12/21/2016
12/21/16
New London
Score: 7
Household type:2 High Risk
CCADV2
01/03/2017
1/5/17
Torrington, Winstead
Score: 10
Household Type:2 or 3 High Risk
CCADV3
Waterbury

18. How the system works - Outcomes
Individuals
Families
BNL Status
Family Count
Active 24
-Enrolled in CAN (Default) 17
-Enrolled in TH 1
-Matched with Housing Program 6
Inactive 12
-Housed 10
-Unable to Contact 2
Grand Total 36
BNL Status
Client Count
Active 12
-Enrolled in CAN (Default)
Inactive 11
-Housed 6
-In an Institution 2
-Unable to Contact 3
Grand Total 23

19. Lessons Learned
The system is a continuous work in progress – and requires continuous focus
Lots of assumptions on both sides about how the other system works
Large learning curve associated with both systems
Cross system learning necessary for front line staff
Unintended outcomes:
This system opened doors to other avenues of collaboration like the CT
Be Homeful Project (to help families facing homelessness to stay housed)
Mainstream providers understand the necessity of a trauma-informed approach, and have incorporated it into coordinated entry intake

20. Contact Information
Steve DiLella
Director, Individual and Family Support Program Unit
Connecticut Department of Housing