According to the 2014 Annual State of Homelessness Report by the Alliance For Housing (CoC), found that there were 250 homeless veterans in Oakland County, MI in 2014. The report also describes how veteran experience homelessness differently than the rest of the homeless population. "the number of single male homeless veterans far exceeds the average found within the overall homeless population at 80% compared to 53%." 50% of homeless veterans have a disability, compared to 29% in the homeless population. in 2015, HOPE served 35 homeless veterans.
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Oakland Co. Veterans By-Name Task Force HOPE is a proud member of the Oakland County Veterans By-Name Task Force. We meet twice a month to identify Oakland County veterans in need of housing assistance. In 2015, HOPE served 35 veterans. Campaign:Zero 2016Campaign: Zero 2016 is an initiative by the several entities including Veterans Administration and the department of Housing and Urban Development. It's aim is to promote best practices in the area of veteran homelessness. The Oakland Co Veterans By-Name Task Force is guided by models provided by this campaign.
HOPE for Vietnam VeteransIn conjunction with the Community Mental Health Authority of Oakland County, HOPE is utilizing special grant funding designated to moving Vietnam veterans from homelessness to being securely housed. Between May 2016 and September 2016 HOPE will utilize a grant specific to homeless veterans who served in Vietnam.
Veterans Exposed to AsbestosMany Veterans have been exposed to asbestos. The exposure may eventually turn into mesothelioma. Many years can pass before symptoms develop. Check out this website to learn more about resources to help people expeosed to asbestos. https://www.asbestos.com
HEALTHCARE
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, we have assisted our guests in enrolling in health plans. With this advancement, our clients are able to access preventative primary care services rather than having to seek help in a hospital emergency room. Now many of our guests receive care and medication for medical issues that previously were not treated. However there are still barriers to obtaining adequate medical services for our population. HOPE strives to advocate for our guests by identifying and filling gaps in services and creating necessary programs in collaboration with our community partners.
Homeless Healthcare CollaborationHOPE participates in the Homeless Healthcare Collaborative, a committee of local stakeholders that aim to improve access to healthcare for those experiencing homelessness in Oakland County. Oakland County Health DivisionThe Health Division is a key partner of HOPE, Public Health nurses pre-screen prospective guests while they are still at the hospital. They also help our current shelter guests to schedule and arrange transportation to doctors appointments. The Public Health nurses help our guests to understand and participate in their health care.
Partnerships HOPE has a valuable partnership with Oakland Integrated Health Network (OHIN) OHIN holds a clinic onsite at HOPE once a week to provide care to our guests. Through the work of a nurse practitioner, our guests have access to blood tests, prescriptions, and general care. If prescriptions are needed, a local partner pharmacy will deliver the needed medicine to the shelter.
SERVICE NAVIGATION
HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to navigate the complex human service system which is the key in transitioning out of homelessness. The Service Navigator provides comprehensive case management in partnership with other community organizations to best serve our guests.HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to navigate the complex human service system which is the key in transitioning out of homelessness. The Service Navigator provides comprehensive case management in partnership with other community organizations to best serve our guests.
Former guest Mike B. shows his state identification Identification
There are three key documents that are required for enrollment into housing programs; photo identification, birth certificate, and social security card. At time this can be a circular and confusing process, sometimes these identity documents are required to obtain the others. Through the ID Taskforce, we are working to change policy pertaining to obtaining vital documents in Michigan. HOPE service navigator works collaboratively with human service agencies in Oakland County which assist our guest in obtaining these types of documents.
Mental Health HOPE has a strong relationship with the Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), as well as with mental health service providers, Easter Seals, and Community Network Services (CNS). Through our relationship with OCHN, HOPE guests are able to be screened onsite for eligibility for mental health programs. As a result of this 91% of our guests are connected with integral mental health services. In other shelters this statistic is typically much lower. Our guests are able to meet with their case managers on site. HOPE staff is also able to work hand-in-hand with case managers to help our guests receive much needed services.
Guest with keys to his own place! Housing HOPE has relationships with homeless housing providers. HOPE is a member of the Alliance for Housing, Oakland County's Continuum of Care (CoC). Through the CoC, HOPE works in concert with housing providers in Oakland County. HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to complete and gather necessary documents and information as well as acts as a facilitator between housing organizations and guests. HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to navigate the complex human service system which is the key in transitioning out of homelessness. The Service Navigator provides comprehensive case management in partnership with other community organizations to best serve our guests.
ID DOCUMENTS
Long Battle WON to Make State IDs AccessibleState IDs will be free after March 28 for people who are homeless, thanks to the efforts of the State ID Taskforce co-chaired by Debra Hendren, our director of Community Programs and Outreach, and Elizabeth Kelly, executive director of HOPE. A State ID allows someone to connect with resources, services and programs to resolve not only a homeless situation, but also to work toward long-term self-sufficiency. Elizabeth was interviewed by Cynthia Canty on her hashtag#MichiganRadio Stateside program explaining the new state law passed during the lame duck session. The interview is available here: https://bit.ly/2HHIeAX.
Getting a birth certificate? You may be forced to pay more and drive further for itOTSEGO, Mich. - Through a 13 ON YOUR SIDE Watchdog investigation, it's been uncovered that people trying to obtain their birth certificates are running into a problem. Their birth records don't exist in the county they were born in.
The documents are only located at the state of Michigan's Vital Records office because the children tied to the birth certificates were not born to a married mother and father. All of the birth certificates in question were sent to Lansing pre-1978, so anybody who was born after 1978 should have their birth certificate located at the local county clerk's office. WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, MI "Watchdog Investigative Report" VIDEO REPORT: https://www.wzzm13.com/video/news/investigations/13-on-your-side/watchdog/getting-your-birth-certificate-cost-more-for-some-than-other/69-8136921?jwsource=em IdentificationDonate Now HOPE helps shelter guests acquire the necessary documentation to apply for housing assistance. It is difficult sometimes to access this identity documentation when you are carrying everything you own in a backpack, many of our guests to not have their vital identity documents. Photo Identification, Birth certificate, and Social Security card are the three documents that are required for many of the paths out of homelessness. These vital documents are needed to enroll in housing programs, and their acquisition can often be a barrier for our guests. HOPE participates in the Oakland County ID Taskforce, a committee of the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration, to help alleviate the barriers the homeless community face in obtaining identity documents.
If you are interested in more information regarding the issues related to obtaining identification in Michigan please click here to hear an interview HOPE's Executive Director, Elizabeth Kelly did with Michigan Radio. Oakland County ID TaskforceThe Oakland County ID Taskforce was formed as a subcommittee of the Oakland County Homeless Healthcare Collaboration as a response to barriers to securing vital documents such as state ID, birth certificates and social security cards encountered by those who are homeless. In addition to human service agencies, other members include: Michigan State Housing Authority (MSHDA), Michigan Secretary of State, the Center for Civil Justice, the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Administration and the Oakland County Health Division.
For more information on the ID Taskforce and their work please contact:
Debra Hendren, Community Housing Network Director of Community Programs and Outreach 248-928-0111 dhendren@chninc.net Pilot Program The Oakland County Clerk, Lisa Brown, and the Oakland County Board of Commission responded to this need by allowing human service agencies to reduce the amount of the fee for Oakland County birth certificates all the way down to zero, as appropriate, for those individuals who have no or low income.
The proof documentation to secure a state ID is extensive and not readily accessible for those who are homeless. The Oakland County Taskforce has been meeting monthly with the Michigan Secretary of State to clarify necessary documents to secure a state ID. The task force is also seeking a fee waiver for state ID for those who have no income. Currently, state law permits a full fee waiver for those receiving cash assistance or disability, senior citizens and those trading a driver's license for a state ID. A pilot program is being conducted at select Secretary of State sites in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PARTNER AGENCIES
HOPE's success depends on its relationships with partner agencies in Oakland County and beyond. If your organization would like to become a partner, please contact us. We are proud to work closely with the following organizations:
Community Housing Network
Alliance for Housing (Continuum of Care)
Training and Treatment Innovations (TTI)
South Oakland Shelter
U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs
Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic
Lighthouse of Oakland County
Common Ground
Oakland Co. Community Mental Health Authority
The Jewish Fund
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Oakland County Government
U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine