SHAL Monthly Report – August 2015

KOTS clients line up to register
KOTS clients line up to register

REPORT TO THE CITY OF KEY WEST

For August 2015

THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS

SHAL’s Case Management team continued to show high numbers, with 435 services rendered at 314 appointments in the month of August. Elicia, Amy and Channing took advantage of being ‘where the action is’ with a case management presence in a number of locations around the community. However…

New SHAL Office Space Needed! Due to their own expansion and reorganization, Rural Health was required to repurpose the space they were letting SHAL use on weekday mornings. As noted above, this space was very effective in increasing the number of services we were able to provide homeless clients, both sheltered and unsheltered. SHAL is currently seeking space to allow us to address the community homeless issue. Please contact John Miller at the above phone or email if you know of a small office space that could be available.

HOMELESSNESS IS A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION

Patrick McGarvey, who had stayed at KOTS off and on for several years, passed away in his bunk in the Shelter early on Monday August 24. Patrick had been a Key West house painter who struggled with substance abuse. He was only 57.

There have been deaths of at least five other homeless persons in recent months. These tragic mortalities illustrate, yet again, the health risks faced by homeless individuals. Besides infrequent health care, the strain & violence of living on the street and poor nutrition, recurrent poor life choices and self-medication with drugs and alcohol create a generally desperate lifestyle with few highlights.

Most people have “ups and downs” that can cause stress and other issues. Ups and downs can cost homeless people their very lives.

KEYS OVERNIGHT TEMPORARY SHELTER (KOTS)
Shelter Usage

SHAL internal reports show that there were an average of about 115 clients sleeping in the Shelter in August 2015. KOTS was not full by 9 pm on any evening. There were 10 EMT calls made for Shelter clients in August. One client was found dead in the dorm.

SHAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Service Summary Report • August 2015

Total Services Rendered: 435, Case Management contacts: 314

Health Care Services Rendered: 20

Health Care Appointments: 9

Mental Health Referrals: 4

RX Assistance: 7

Other Services:

Case Management: 55

Information Services: 92

Cell Phones: 42

Mailing Address: 35

Food/Clothing: 8

Identification/Residency Services: 47

SS Issues: 11

Birth Certificate Assistance: 20

Long Distance Relocation:

8 Local Transportation Services: 13

Job Search Assistance:

17 Local housing referrals/intakes: 12

EBT Services: 26

Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) Forms Completed: 37 (Sheltered 27, Unsheltered 10)

Highlights this Month

-Continued shower services to unsheltered clients.
-Continued to provide temporary mailing address for SS, Food Stamps and Birth Certificates.
-Were able to pay for a client’s medication for acute illnesses.
-Continued case management services to jail clients.
-Made successful CAS referrals for housing opportunities.
-SHAL continues to work with the Public Defender’s Office and the JIP program to assist clients upon release from jail.

August Relocation Summary
Total Relocations: 8

T.C is an unsheltered individual who was floundering between incarceration and homelessness. He had an opportunity to move back in with a family member out of state, and came to SHAL for assistance after meeting with me while he was incarcerated. After contacting his family member and confirming, he was relocated and reunited with his family where he was hopeful to make a new beginning.

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