MeckFUSE: Diversion Works Better the Second Time Around

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1 MeckFUSE: Diversion Works Better the Second Time Around Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina SESSION PRESENTERS FOR MARCH 28 AT 10:30 CAROLINE CHAMBRE, HOUSINGWORKS DIRECTOR Urban Ministry Center HousingWorks Program STACY LOWRY, DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Session Moderator: Kim Keaton, CSH

FUSE Louisville ACT MeckFUSE Rhode Island FUSE CT FUSE CT SIF NYC FUSE Wash.

2 FUSE & High Utilizer Initiatives King Co FACT KCC/SIF SIF+FUSE/Ert Just in Reach 2.0 Project 25 Maricopa Co FUSE Denver FUSE Hennepin Co FUSE Douglas Co, NE FUSE Travis Co BJA Washtenaw FUSE/SIF Detroit FUSE Chicago FUSE Columbus BJA FUSE Louisville ACT MeckFUSE Rhode Island FUSE CT FUSE CT SIF NYC FUSE Wash. DC FUSE Richmond FUSE Bexar Co High Utilizers- TBD Frequent user program totals 17 re-entry FUSE programs 8 health high utilizer programs Approx people housed Approx. 825 to be housed Re-entry FUSE Operating Re-entry FUSE Significant planning Health FUSE Operating Health FUSE Significant planning

3 Presentation Overview 1. Background 2. MeckFUSE Program Development 3. Program Implementation and Performance 4. The Mecklenburg Story 5. Successes and Challenges 6. Questions and Discussion

4 What is FUSE? Defined as Frequent User Systems Engagement. Implements a data-driven approach for results. Supports policy and systems reform. Uses a Housing First Program Model. Includes wrap-around services to clients, if desired. Promotes permanent supportive housing that is safe and affordable. Defines homeless using the HUD definition.

5 The Problem In 2005, county jail was at capacity. Option #1: Do we build or increase jail capacity? Option #2: Do we divert appropriate individuals from jail to other resources?

6 The Road to MeckFUSE CSS 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness PSO Recovery Solutions & Jail Diversion Funds CJS: Jail Study from Bureau of Justice Initiatives

7 The Road to MeckFUSE Adopted and applied CSH s FUSE Model and the Housing First concept as a jail diversion strategy for Mecklenburg County. Used local tax dollars as the funding source. Aligned and supported principles set forth in the community s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Partnered with CSH for technical assistance on local program development.

8 The Road to MeckFUSE Incorporated best practices. Hennepin County, Minnesota s FUSE program and the University of Minnesota s evaluation. Strengthened and built relationships with key stakeholders. Created oversight body to ensure Transparency and Accountability to taxpayers. MeckFUSE Stakeholders Committee

9 The FUSE Model

10 Why FUSE? Benefits to the community include: o Improves Safety and Security for vulnerable. o Generates Cost Savings through Diversion from Expensive Resources such as jail, hospitals and shelters. o Breaks the Cycle of incarceration and homelessness. o Works with Clients where they are. o Adds stability through wrap-around support provided by case managers.

11 Small Group Exercise In your small group, list three points you would make to your funders to either implement a FUSE program or expand your agency s existing program.

12 Program Development Utilized approximately $900,000 in FY13 operating funds (tax dollars) for 45 housing slots. Developed an RFP for experienced homeless and supportive service providers. Urban Ministry Center ( UMC ) awarded contract Master lease strategy No recovery requirement Contracted with University of North Carolina at Charlotte for outcome study.

13 The Road to MeckFUSE UMC Housing Works Program UNCC Formal Program Evaluation CSS 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness PSO Recovery Solutions & Jail Diversion Funds CJS - Jail Study from Bureau of Justice Initiatives

14 A Data-Driven Approach Criteria for participation includes: 4 or more jail admissions (last 5 years); 4 or more shelter admissions (last 5 years); Homeless without a permanent residence; Ability to live independently and U.S. citizen or legal resident.

15 A Data-Driven Approach No MeckFUSE client Is registered under a State sex offender registry; Has a methamphetamine manufacturing/production conviction and Has an arson conviction in past 3 years. Other program factors as determined by MeckFUSE staff.

16 A Data-Driven Approach Jail Data Shelter Data Applied Criteria PSO Check UMC Check Match Complete How was the data match created? Data Collection Process included: 1. Collected data from jail operating system for past five years. (Sheriff s Office) 2. Collected data from shelter system for past five years. (Men s Shelter and Salvation Army Women s Shelter) Street-homeless review 3. Applied Criteria. (Criminal Justice Services) 4. Checked for a behavior health issue. (Provided Services Organization) 5. Checked for other known factors such as currently housed. (Urban Ministry Center)

17 Program Implementation Urban Ministry Center MeckFUSE staff team Outreach and Engagement Service Plan Recovery not required Housing Selection and Landlord Relationships Crisis Assistance Ministry (furniture and move-in)

18 MeckFUSE Program Staff

19 Video

20 Program Performance July 1 Feb 28 UMC s cumulative results include: # potential participants interviewed = 69 # participants housed = 28 There are 45 slots available (62% to goal) # apartments under master lease = 28 # program terminations = 1 # of arrests after program admission = 2

21 Branding The Mecklenburg Story Branding through performance results Communicating our Story using various mediums. County s MeckFUSE UMC s Housing Works

22 Formal Program Evaluation University of North Carolina at Charlotte ( UNCC ) is conducting evaluation. Conduct MeckFUSE Client interviews. Interview over a 3 Year Period Create a comparison group of eligible participants that declined program. Assess implementation process and program outcomes. Who are the MeckFUSE clients? What are their needs? What are their housing barriers?

23 UNCC Evaluation Report cumulative as of March 2014 MeckFUSE Client Demographics: # of clients interviewed = 25 Gender = 92% male Race/Ethnicity = 72% African American Average Age = 48 years Education = 24% majority completed 11 th grade Shelter usage = 88% stayed >12 months Employment = 72% unemployed Physical Health = 28% good health rating There are 28 program participants (89% interviewed)

24 MeckFUSE Client Needs As reported to UNCC: Lack of money No transportation Lack of food Lack of employment No driver s license Lack of education

25 Barriers to Housing Prior to program entry and as reported to UNCC: Lack of money for rent and utility costs Alcohol and substance abuse issues Criminal history Finding work 24% have the ability to pay rent 96% have history of addiction 64% have spent time in prison 85% difficult to find work

26 Client Satisfaction with Housing Quality of MeckFUSE Housing 24% 24% 52% Excellent Very Good Good

27 Progress Report Successes Challenges Satisfied clients Quality housing Collaboration Improved safety and security for the community s vulnerable Locating eligible candidates Felony-friendly landlords Identifying the control group participants

28 Engage the Audience 1) Write down one approach from The Mecklenburg Story which might work in your community. 2) Write down one reason why our approach would NOT work in your community.

29 Questions and Discussion

30 For more information, contact Caroline Chambre, Director of HousingWorks Urban Ministry Center (980) Stacy Lowry, CSS Director Mecklenburg County Community Support Services (704)

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