Coordinated Access Is Eliminating Barriers

Article shared from Sacramento County, originally posted 07/06/2023. Find the original article here: https://www.saccounty.gov/news/latest-news/Pages/Coordinated-Access-Is-Eliminating-Barriers.aspx

As part of the Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) and in conjunction with the City-County Partnership Agreement, the Coordinated Access System (CAS) has been developed by Sacramento Steps Forward. The CAS is a streamlined system that matches people experiencing homelessness with housing and service options. This process prioritizes limited local shelter and housing resources, so people with the highest vulnerability can be connected to supports as quickly as possible.

In Sacramento, the front door for CAS is 2-1-1 Sacramento. Households can call the Housing Crisis Line at 2-1-1 (select #8) to be triaged to appropriate resources. In addition, trained agencies with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) access can conduct the individual or family shelter assessment to place a household on the shelter waitlist.

Why is Coordinated Access Critical?

It’s an efficient, equitable, client-centered approach to ending homelessness.

• Key strategy of the Local Homeless Action Plan
• Requirement of the Sacramento City/County Partnership Agreement
• CAS connects people who are unhoused with critical resources and services
• CAS creates a pathway for people who are unhoused to navigate an end to their housing crisis
• Without system coordination, the community is limited in the impact we can make toward addressing homelessness
• The system empowers people who are unhoused and providers to have clarity and know the supports available

What resources are available through the CAS?

CAS is not just a shelter referral resource. People may also be connected to additional resources such as Problem-Solving Access Points (PSAP) and the Coordinated Access Navigational team (CAN). CAN is operated by Elica Health Centers and supports households on the shelter waitlist with problem-solving services and warm handoffs to the shelter. PSAPs are trained agencies that support households in identifying alternative housing options and community support to resolve their housing crisis. This could include mediation, conflict resolution, connections to mainstream resources, and limited financial assistance that directly results in housing being secured or retained. Four designated PSAPs receive referrals from 2-1-1 and can provide housing location services for households with vouchers or identified housing.

CAS by the Numbers – Q1 2023