CHALLENGES / STRATEGIES / RESOURCES / WHAT CAN DSHS DO?
INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS /
- Little to no contact information
- Document collection
- Mental Illness & Addiction
- Transportation
- More pressing priorities
- Process too time-consuming
- Screen through crisis phone line
- Receive mail for client
- -Set up Community Voice Mailbox
- Friend/family member’s address for mail delivery
- General delivery
- Library for internet access
- Accompany them to CSO
- Create specific action plan
- Emphasize benefit amount
- BFET
- Community Voicemail
- Free cell phone
- Springwire
- Shelters/community meals/food/clothing Banks
- DESC
- Compass Housing
- Emergency Feeding Prog.
- HEN
- Mobile med/dent vans
- More mobile CSOs
- EBT pickup at CSO
- Add hot item purchase option
- Less verification reqs
- Est. provider phone line
- CSO encouragement
- Training consistency
IMMIGRANTS
(LPRs, MIXED IMMIGRATION FAMILIES, ETC.) /
- Language barriers
- Undocumented
- 50% benefit amount
- Sponsorship
- Lack of documentation
- Est. trust
- Confusion
- Rumors/myths
- Potential for information to be shared with authorities
- Assuming shouldn’t apply more than once
- Pride & cultural differences
- Give options and flexibility
- Interpreter line
- Myth busting
- Info won’t be shared with immigration
- Can call DSHS anon. w/ general Qs
- Utilizing trusted resources for referral
- Patience while building trust
- Clear communication
- At least one LPR or citizen? Family can apply!
- Immigrant community groups
- Housing Authority
- BFET
- ESL
- ACRS
- JFS
- Lutheran Family Services
- ReWA
- NWIRP
- CISC
- Improve translations
- Increase language capacity
- Simplify letters
- Add immigrant stories to WaConnprinted materials
- Cultural competency training
- Improve phone access
CHALLENGES / STRATEGIES / RESOURCES / WHAT CAN DSHS DO?
YOUNG ADULTS /
- Distrustful of adults
- Distrust of government
- Assume they are not eligible
- Including parents on app
- Students
- Stigma
- Follow-through
- Confidentiality
- Document collection
- Family member’s cooperation
- Group housing
- Fear
- Highlight broad range of follow up options (ex. texting)
- Explain process and benefits in detail
- Empower by offering options
- Youth clinic @ 24th Street
- Neighborcare
- Youthcare
- Roots shelter
- Orion Center
- YWCA
- WIC
- ParentHelp123 resource finder
- Washingteen web-site (for young parents)
- Adapt eligibility criteria to fit needs of students and young adults living at home
SENIORS /
- Pride and/or shame
- Frustration with low benefit amount (feel not worth the time and effort)
- Complicated phone system
- Homebound
- Transportation
- Assume that they aren’t eligible
- Benefits roll over
- Give sense of independence
- Walk through the process
- They have paid into this program
- Entitlement system (doesn’t take away from others)
- Send letter combining Basic Food description w/ health-related information
- Meals on Wheels
- Phone assistance (WTAP & Lifeline )
- Senior Services
- Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens
- Senior WIC farmers market program
- Separate phone line designed with seniors in mind