Implementing
Coordinated
Assessment Under
the New CoC
Regulations
National Alliance to End Homelessness
Monday, September 10, 2012
Logistical Notes
 Participants are muted.
 Any questions should be entered in the box at the
bottom of your webinar panel.
 Unanswered questions may be addressed in
future blog posts or other materials.
 Webinar is being recorded.
Agenda for Today’s Webinar
 What is coordinated assessment?
 What do the regulations say about coordinated
assessment?
 What are the key aspects of a coordinated
assessment process?
 What does the Alliance recommend considering or
doing as you develop a coordinated assessment
process?
 What are some basic next steps?
Latest News from HUD
 CoC interim rule went into effect on August 30
 Comments are being accepted until October 1
 New technical assistance products are available on
HUD HRE website
 New Alliance products: summary available now, draft
comments and recommendations coming soon
Definition of Coordinated
Assessment
 “Centralized or coordinated assessment system is
defined to mean a centralized or coordinated
process designed to coordinate program participant
intake, assessment, and provision of referrals. A
centralized or coordinated assessment system
covers the geographic area, is easily accessed by
individuals and families seeking housing or services,
is well advertised, and includes a comprehensive
and standardized assessment tool.” (Section 578.3)
Potential Models
Centralized
Decentralized
Telephone-based/2-1-1
Mobile case manager
Mixed
Written Standards
 Communities must develop written standards for
transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and
permanent supportive housing that cover:
 Eligibility
 Prioritization
 Method for determining appropriate amount of
rent household should pay
* High-performing communities – prevention asssitance
Other Items of Note
Should be designed locally
Must work with Emergency
Solutions Grant (ESG) grantees
Key Aspects
Key Aspects
Access
Assessment
Data Entry and Sharing
Referral
Program Intake*
System Change
Key Points: Access and
Assessment
 Access: Do consumers know how to
reach the assessment centers? Are they
easy to reach?
 Assessment: Do you have a consistent,
standardized process for determining
consumer need?
Key Points: Data and
Referral
 Data: Do you have a reliable data
system that is being used properly?
 Referral: Is there a process in place for
guiding consumers needing to enter the
system to the right program based on
their needs?
Key Points: Intake and
System Change
 Intake: What happens when consumers
enter the system?
 System Change: How will programs and
resources change to become more
efficient, effective, and better
accommodate need?
Recommendations
Based on CoC regulations
No. 1: Plan a system that
includes accommodations
for domestic violence
survivors
 Consider safety, certification, and data concerns
 Ensure DV survivors are connected to housing
opportunities
 Examples: Montgomery County/Dayton, OH;
Whatcom County, WA; Grand Rapids, MI
No. 2: Include prevention
and shelter diversion
 Consolidate emergency rental
assistance funds at the front door
 Develop brief prevention/diversion
screening tool
 Have case managers ready to mediate
tenant disputes
No. 3: Break down program
barriers
 Identify people being screened out
 Look at entrance requirements with a
system lens (incorporating cost, need,
model)
No. 4: Develop written
standards based on best
practice
 Use written standards to support careful
targeting and best practice
 Ensure higher-cost, service-intensive
interventions support households with the
most difficult barriers to being re-housed
 Think progressive engagement
Next Steps
Getting Started
 Select a steering committee
 Develop a model and identify populationappropriate assessment centers
 Sketch out current and desired processes
Next Steps: Access and
Assessment
Access: Establish assessment sites,
keeping in mind current consumer
patterns.
Assessment: Develop a
prevention/diversion screening tool
and identify who will administer it.
Next Steps: Data and
Referral
Data: Develop a data sharing form
and a protocol for sharing bed
availability.
Referral: Begin working on written
standards.
Next Steps: Intake and
System Change
Intake: Cut duplication.
System Change: Close “side doors”
and begin reviewing program
entrance requirements.
Other Considerations
How assessment will work for different
populations
Role of outreach team
Evaluation and adjustment strategy
Additional Resources
 Coordinated Assessment Toolkit
 USICH Retooling Crisis Response Systems
Toolkit
 HUD Coordinated Assessment
Guidebook – coming soon
Questions?
 Webinar IS being recorded.
 For questions about the webinar or
coordinated assessment:
thecenter@naeh.org