MAINSTREAM SERVICES
Mainstream system services are essential in enabling a family/individual to exit homelessness. The mainstream resources include health care (Medi-Cal), income supports (Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), food security (CalFresh), and mental health and substance use disorder services among others. These services go hand-in-hand with those offered by the homeless service providers (Providers) to successfully transition people experiencing homelessness to stable housing.
A GUIDE TO ACCESSING MAINSTREAM SERVICES
In an effort to increase Providers’ awareness of mainstream services and to strengthen County-Provider partnerships, the Homeless Initiative (HI) released “A Guide to Accessing Mainstream Services” which serves as a resource for Providers to access and navigate the County mainstream services at their fingertips.
TRAINING ON MAINSTREAM SERVICES
Administered by the Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS), the Adult Protective Services (APS) Home Safe program provides clients with a range of services, including case management, rental payments, and rental arrears so they can maintain their current housing. It also assists clients with finding new housing to avoid entering the homeless emergency shelter system.
The HI also hosted a series of training with Providers in April to provide information on accessing and navigating mainstream services. These training focused on learning how to determine if clients are currently receiving mainstream services, how to refer and connect clients to services, how to bring services onsite, and who to contact for additional information or to problem-solve challenging situations. Case scenarios were also shared by Providers followed by a robust group discussion to develop solutions to addressing barriers. The April training materials may be viewed below:
- Recording of the Training
- Training Presentation Slides
- Training Questions & Answers (Coming soon) was developed to address questions raised by Providers.
- Training Evaluation – Please share your insight to improve our future utility of the Guide and training by visiting the Training Evaluation/Survey.
As for next steps a Mainstream Services Training Committee consisting of the HI, mainstream departments, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and Providers will be established to identify future training topics and engagement strategies to strengthen interagency coordination and improve client outcomes.
