Hennepin CoC: Street Outreach Services

Street Outreach Services 

Overview 

Street Outreach projects serve clients who are living in places not meant for habitation, providing them with assistance and connections to the broader homeless response system. Their role in the coordination of homeless response through HMIS is critical. This article will provide instructions on how users at Street Outreach projects will record enrollments, services, and client information in ClientTrack.  

Street Outreach projects are distinct from Day Shelters, which have a central site but can provide many of the same services to unsheltered clients. If you also serve sheltered clients, you may have a Services Only (SSO) project as well. 

More About This 

Street Outreach projects use the workflow described below to track caseloads and engagement with clients. Projects receiving HMIS-mandated funding will use the results of this workflow to report to funders.  

Given the nature of street outreach work, they can also benefit substantially from the coordination that HMIS enables. Staff can use Client Track to contact other case managers, find referrals, and update contact information.  

Street Outreach Workflow 

1. Find a client in HMIS. If none exists, create the client profile.  
2. Enroll the client in your project at first contact.  
3. Make sure to take the time to check on the client’s contact information.  
4. Complete as much of the Entry Assessment as you can.  
5. At each point of contact, update the Current Living Situation (as described below).  
6. Add an Update if you learn new information that was not true at project start. Edit the Entry Workflow if you learn new information that was true at Project Start. 
7. When you have reached a threshold for Engagement, such as the creation of a case plan, add a Date of Engagement for the client (data quality expectations begin at Engagement for Street Outreach.  
8. Exit the client from Street Outreach if they are no longer active with your program. Clients will be automatically exited after ninety days of inactivity; however, if you can conduct a manual exit, it will allow your team to track exit destinations and mark successes.   

Details  

Adding a Current Living Situation 

Updating the Current Living Situation allows Coordinated Entry projects to track where a client is and reach them more easily to provide services and connect about referrals. To add a new Current Living Situation: 

1. Under the Profile Folder in the Client Workspace, select Current Living Situation. 
2. Click onAdd New Current Living Situation in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. 

3. Complete the Information Date, Enrollment, and Current Living Situation fields. Add a Location Detail if more specific information is available.