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HomeMy WebLinkAbout080717_ra0110:00 a.m. Commissioners Chambers JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners Philip Morley, County Administrator FROM: Leslie Locke, Executive Assistant DATE: August 7, 2017 SUBJECT: UPDATE re: Olympic Community Action Program (OlyCAP) STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Dale Wilson, Olympic Community Action Program (OlyCAP) Director has requested to give the County Commissioners a mid -year update on OlyCAP programs. RECOMMENDATION: Listen to update. REVIEWED BY: iilip Mpr Couimstrator Date Jefferson County Commission Kathleen Kler, District 3 David Sullivan, District 2 Kate Dean, District 1 P.O. Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Re: OlyCAP Mid -Year Update 823 Commerce Loop Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-385-2571 www.OIyCAP.org The following describes some of the great work OlyCAP has been up to over the past few months. This report will diverge from past reports presented to The Commission. Those reports, in general, merely described numbers and counted widgets. While quantitative reviews are important, I hope you will find this qualitative report helpful and interesting. The following mid -year overview focuses on individual, family, community outcomes and new corporate initiatives. Each of the following accounts relies upon Community Development Block Grant and/or other Jefferson County funding or partnership. Administration — Database OlyCAP has invested in a new client and services tracking software. The new software will replace our existing system that was over 25 years old and no longer provided the Agency with either the data collection or reporting necessary to effectively analyze, report and insure compliance with many of our primary contracting resources . At this time, OlyCAP staff are receiving extensive CAP60 training. Full implementation of the CAP60 will begin in January 2018. This new data system will provide an enhanced ability to parse out data and outcomes by individual, family, service, by county and subsets within each county. Administration — Audit OlyCAP annually undergoes an A-133 Unified Single Audit. This audit provides an independent review of both financial and program compliance metrics. Aiken and Sanders, Inc., PS, Certified Public Accountants issued, on June 30, 2017, an unqualified opinion with no findings. Housing Resources — Individual / Family / Community / Organizational Success At OlyCAP, successful outcomes are often not measured in weeks or even months, but instead years. The following account takes place over the past three years. The customer's name has been changed, but the accounting is accurate to the file. In our community, not unlike communities across America, youthfulness is frequently stolen by the burdens of adulthood arriving prematurely. Shannon came to OlyCAP just over three years ago. In Shannon's own words, she thought she had found "rock bottom." Drug use, a stressed marriage, children living with relatives, no home, no job and no hope. When she arrived at OlyCAP, she and her husband were sleeping in a car, while her children remained with grandparents. Then came the felony drug charges. Developing Human Potential for 51 Years She was convinced the arrest represented in some way the end of her life's potential. However, she was about to discover it was instead the beginning of a long, painful and most difficult road. A journey that would reunite her with her family and set her on a path to health and happiness. Choosing Drug Court over incarceration, Shannon suddenly found herself struggling to re-enter a world of clean and sober existence. Working with OlyCAP, and other community partners, Shannon moved into the Haines Street Cottages and agreed to accept case managed services. The Cottages provided her a safe temporary haven. A place where she could stabilize her life and reunite with her children and her soul. A tiny and minimalist Shangri-La. Seemingly, at every turn, this young woman's journey was met head-on with challenge. Shortly after moving to Haines Street her husband, at 27 years old, took his own life, setting her and the children adrift in confusion, anger and grief. There would be relapses back into drugs. Nevertheless, this did not stop Shannon. Instead, it provided her with the opportunity to restart her recovery. Then, there was having her children taken away. However, for Shannon, it was a chance to gain the confidence to regain custody of her children, knowing she was more prepared and stronger than ever before. There was school and a job. There were endless sobriety tests and counseling. There was a permanent home. This year, Shannon continues to recover, a lifelong process. She lives independently with her children. According to her OlyCAP Case Manager, Shannon maintains healthy adult relationships and no longer needs or requires the structures and constraints of a case managed world. She is now prepared to share and teach others. Today, she tells others, "When you truly want better in life, it doesn't matter what curve balls are thrown at you, you make it through." Housing — Housing Opportunity Fund and Homes Now OlyCAP has helped play an organizational role in convening community leaders and organizations to discuss housing issues in Jefferson County. After several months of dialogue, fact gathering and many, many meetings, OlyCAP thanks the Commission for their participation and support of the Housing Opportunity Fund. Your placing of Proposition 1 on the November ballot is crucial to the future development of affordable housing within the County. Housing — Shelter Plus OlyCAP is piloting a Shelter Plus homeless services model. Shelter Plus expands the existing Wintertime Shelter to year around operations. However, the two shelter models are significantly different. Shelter Plus is a clean and sober (high barrier) model designed to serve vulnerable adults, whereas the Winter Shelter is a low barrier shelter that serves a much broader population. So far, since May 1, Shelter Plus has served an average overnight population of 13 people. Six people have achieved permanent housing. Several people have secured permanent sources of income through access to social security, disability and employment while residing at the Shelter. Senior Nutrition: OlyCAP continues to provide tens of thousands of meals each year to our elders. OlyCAP has spent the past several months planning an expansion of the senior meal program. The expansion, referred to as Diner's Choice, is a voucher meal project. This new service model will incorporate restaurants throughout the Olympic Peninsula into the program. This evidenced based program will expand geographic and economic access to nutritious meals for many elders who currently have limited or no access to meal program resources. Earlier this year, OlyCAP piloted Diner's Choice at the Chimicum Cafe. Responses among the 26 participants and the restaurant ownership were very positive. We believe this model, when incorporated into traditional congregate and home delivered meal models will improve support for both the elder participants and the economic vitality of our most rural communities. Community Centers: It appears individual and group utilization of the Centers is increasing. Center Managers continue to work on a set of operation policies and procedures that will provide increased consistency of operations, while leaving each of the three Centers a level of flexibility to serve the unique needs of their community. OlyCAP wants to acknowledge the outstanding work of the County's Facilities Department as they continue to help us maintain and improve the health, safety and long-term viability of each of the Center facilities. Food Assistance — Basic Food Education OlyCAP has been selected to develop and administer a Basic Food Education Program to serve Peninsula residents. The primary goal of the project will be to increase awareness of and access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps, and related food supports. The Agency is excited to forge new local nutrition partnerships, while strengthening those already established. While we live in a region blessed by plenty, hunger and food deserts continue to plague many of our geographically isolated communities. Conclusion: By no means is this report purporting to be comprehensive. It is instead, written to provide the Commission with a snapshot of OlyCAP today. OlyCAP hereby thanks the Commission for its confidence and faith in our Agency's mission to help people, change lives and strengthen communities. Together, we are developing the human potential that will keep the Olympic Peninsula strong.