Reflection - Learning Launch

Challenge & Selection  The issue of homelessness is a growing problem in many US cities.  It affects our communities in some  form or another.  There are two main known causes for homelessness, namely; mental issues and drug  abuse in addition to falling behind on paying bills due to job loss. To solve the issue of homelessness we  have to tackle first these two main causes.  This is a social issue that affects many individuals in many  societies. They use some of the public services, if they are sick an ambulance is called to take them to the  emergency room. They may cause disturbance that to be resolve by calling the city police.       Selection:   A non profit group decided to tackle this issue to solve it.  They set a goal of achieving a 80% success in  one year.  The decided to evaluate the results monthly and quarterly to measure success.      Application:    What is?  Normal people got behind on paying rent.  One of the main reasons is losing job, got behind on their bills  and were evicted. They found themselves without home. They can't work.  No permanent address, no  employer will hire them.    What if?  We get all local agencies involved to work together to find what they can do to find a solution.  Put  homeless people to find a job again and they become tax payers.  No more expensive trips to emmergency  room.    what Wows?  The non-profit group contacted various local government agencies to solve this issue and reduce the  number of homeless people on city street. They got representative from local city officials in a city from:   1) mayor's office  2) mental health services  3) housing authority  4) shelter operators  5) non for profit  6) VA  They can share information, data, resources.  When results - even partial - they can Share credit.  Officials  from these agencies are a group of responsible for the results.  They hold regular meetings and hold each  other accountable.    Insight   This group takes responsibility and hold everyone accountable for results.  They need to be  creative.  They have to act as if this is their personal problem.  They question the functions and everyone's  role.  Establishing a short-term goal to work with different groups.

•  They decided to assign every homeless person a case number and an official who will follow their  case all the way to the end (e.g. a social worker).  Starting with the easy cases.  Individuals or  families who lost their jobs recently.

•  Finding them a home in city owned building (housing authority)

•  Grant them a temporary help in form of cash for limited time (may be 6 months)

•  help them find jobs

•  follow up with them to help them with any issues they face.

They classify homeless person to be one of the following categories:    JOB LOSS:  This may be the easiest group to help.  Find them a home and help them with finding a job.      REHABILITATION  Some homeless people need rehab (health services - physical or mental).  They are referred to the  appropriate agency that will help them with treatment till they are back to normal and are ready to start a  life on their own.  Grant them a home with monteray help.    SHELTERS:  Working with people in shelters.   Which category they belong to?    Are they able to live on their own and work?  Do they need rehab?    ADDICTION:  Which agency is able to deal with addiction.    Insight:  Setting a goal and reporting on progress monthly and quarterly.  The power of holding this short-term  measurable goal makes creates incentive for the people participating in the project give them enthusiasm  as they see the progress in real time.

