Year
2000 PROGRAM STATUS REPORT
ISLAND COUNTY Service Center
the Opportunity Council
Prepared by Lisa Clark
February 2001
On Site Employees
- 2 full time Family Services
- 3 full time Weatherization Crew - 1 supervisor; 2
technicians
- Part time Receptionist and Energy Intake
- 1 part time receptionist (provided by Green Thumb
- 1 VISTA volunteer - Community Voice Mail System Manager
Client Geographic Breakdown (% of Clients Served)
North Whidbey
Central Whidbey
South
Whidbey
Camano
Island |
67%
13%
13%
3% |
Emergency Shelter for individuals and
families in crisis for up to 30 days
Funding Sources:
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG);
InterWest Bank;
Emergency Shelter Assistance Program (ESAP);
Whidbey Presbyterian Church;
Community Donations
Year 2000 Statistics:
# of families
sheltered:
# of individuals in families
# of shelter bed-nights |
31
93
2796 |
Age Breakdown:
Birth to 5
6 to 11
12 to 17
18 to 21
22 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 69
Age 70+ |
= 27
= 8
= 6
= 5
= 41
= 4
= 1
= 1 |
Families sheltered are
involved in case management services and stay connected for a minimum of six months after
shelter if they remain in the area |
Homeless Prevention: Rental Assistance to qualified low-income families and individuals.
Limited to once in 12 month period. Average assistance = $250.00
Funding Sources:
ESAP; FEMA;
LIHEAP; & Other Emergency Services
Year 2000 Statistics
# of households
# of Individuals
# of Bed-nights
$ allocated from all sources |
127
336
10,080
$ 26,670 |
Transitional Housing Assistance
Funding Sources: Tenant
Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) and Transitional Housing Opportunities Rental Assistance
(THORA) vouchers
There are currently nine families assigned to the Island OC
on housing vouchers that provide the potential for up to two years of assistance. All
families on housing vouchers are in case management and are seen on a weekly basis for the
first three months and twice a month thereafter or as necessary. Clients are reviewed on a
six-month basis to confirm progress made towards identified goals and determine renewal
status.
Readiness to Participate Program
Funding Source: Work Source (Private Industry Council)
Nine families were referred for Readiness to Participate. A
team approach, involving all agencies working with the family (DSHS, Private Industry
Council, Employment Security Dept.) is still utilized to facilitate effective strategies
and promote an environment of success.
Information and Referral
Funding Sources: Community
Services Block Grant (CSBG); United Way; Community donations
Calls documented in 2000
= 5471. Information provided on a vast array of community resources. The Community Online Resource Database can be viewed online at www.oppco.org/cord This database provides
detailed information on resources available to Island County residents. There are
currently 750 entries listed.
Community Voice Mail
Current funding sources: CTI; Qwest; United Way
- Program launched in Island County October 12, 2000
- Currently 28 clients signed up through 12 different local
agencies.
- 100 voice mail boxes total in current set up
- VISTA position for local CVM system manager through
September 2001
- Total costs for one year covered through inkind donations
and VISTA -$60,260
Energy Assistance and Weatherization
Applications processed for Island County
as of 1/15/2001
= 231
The weatherization
program is currently being restructured in Island County. A full time supervisor is now on
site and we are working with Housing Services in Bellingham to serve Island County clients
from this service center. Contract work for Oak Harbor School District was performed and a
contract with the Housing Authority of Island County is being established to do some their
required inspections
Child Care Resource and Referral
The Collaboration for Children Project with the
Island County Health Dept. has brought many rewards. The project was established to
provide consultation, training and support to child care providers in our community.
Fourteen child care sites are on the list (the goal was 10-15). Caroline Lokkins, a public
health nurse, contracted for this program and on 9 January, 2001, presented a STARS
approved training session at our location. Thirty seven child care providers attended.
Another training session is anticipated in March, 2001.
Other Programs and Projects
- 2000 Christmas Toys for Tots Intake and Distribution - 542
children
- 162 complete backpacks given to school age children in
collaboration with Windermere Foundation, The North Whidbey Lions Club and a local church
- Issued 163 gas vouchers
- Administer a community fund where no other resources exist =
$1639 spent
- Determine eligibility and issue Solid Waste passes to
low-income residents that allows a 50% discount for use at Island County Disposal
(2000-123 issued)
- Medicaid outreach began in May 2000; Food Stamp Outreach in
October 2000
Projects on the Horizon
- Expand our Homeless Outreach Program to increase
resources to those we are unable to shelter
- Work with United Way Island County and the Success by Six
Project to establish a Child Care Coordinator Position as well as a Child Care
Information Center/Lending Library
- Collaborate with the Housing Authority to establish a
Home Ownership Center for low-income households. Submit for a VISTA position to initially
staff
- Continue to seek alternatives to the emergency shelter
houses we currently use through an arrangement with the City of Oak Harbor. These are
provided on a year to year lease that can be rescinded at any time depending on their
future use of the properties.
- Expansion of the Advisory Council. The current
Advisory Council has met consistently since January 1998. They are meeting quarterly with
the next meeting scheduled in March. There are about 6 committed members who attend on a
regular basis. Four new individuals have agreed to become permanent members at this time
and we are continuing to recruit others. The new members will bring broader diversity to
the council as we seek to solidify the Island County Service Center in this community.
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