COORDINATED
ASSESSMENT
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference
October 15, 2013
WHY DO SHOULD WE WANT
COORDINATED ASSESSMENT?
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More quickly identify the right fit for clients
Improve system efficiency
Enhance system-wide prevention & diversion opportunities
Foster collaboration among providers
Improve performance (HEARTH)
HUD mandate (CoC/ESG)
COORDINATED ASSESSMENT CORE COMPONENTS
Standardized Access and
Assessment
Access
Assess
Coordinated
Referral
Assign/
Refer
ACCESS – COORDINATED ENTRY POINT
INTO THE COC SYSTEM OF CARE.
Your Coordinated Assessment MUST:
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Cover the geographic area of the CoC
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Be easily accessed by individuals and families
seeking homeless or homelessness prevention
services.
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Be well advertised.
COORDINATED ASSESSMENT
ACCESS MODELS
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Single point of access
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Multisite centralized access
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Assessment hotlines (211)
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No wrong door
What works best for your community?
ASSESSMENT — COMMON TOOL
USED ACROSS CONTINUUM
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Document the needs of individuals and families
seeking housing or services
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Must use a comprehensive and standardized
assessment tool
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HUD does not require the coordinated assessment
to determine eligibility
6
COORDINATED ASSESSMENT
BEST PRACTICES FOR ASSESSMENT
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Document client’s homelessness history and housing barriers
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Identify appropriate services
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Document discrepancy between client needs and available
resources to meet need
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Respect client preferences
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Capture “just enough” data to meet project needs
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Obtain consent for sharing with providers
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Draft, or at least initiate, a housing plan
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Apply standardized practices at every point
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COORDINATED ASSESSMENT
REFERRAL (ASSIGN)
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Referral provided for housing and/or services for
individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis
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CoC must establish written standards for
administering projects, including eligibility criteria
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No side doors.
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COORDINATED ASSESSMENT — REFERRAL
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Accurate
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Comprehensive
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Informed
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Electronic
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Effective
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Mandatory
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Standardized
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COORDINATED ASSESSMENT PLANNING STEPS
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Community engagement
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Program standards
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System mapping
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Assessment tool
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Referral process
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Implementation
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Evaluation
COORDINATED ASSESSMENT —
SO, WHAT IS HAPPENING IN
MINNESOTA?