243-2001 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. f)/j3-J,rJo/
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To:
From:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and Date: October 30, 2001
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M, Gonzalez ~., wr
City Manager Uf}JV' 0
MOBILE DENT A[ AND HEALTH SERVICES TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
AND FAMILIES PILOT PROGRAM
Subject:
On June 6, 2001, Commission Memorandum No. 353-01, was submitted to you as a
recommendation of the Homeless Committee to approve a mobile medical van in order to
provide services directly to the homeless at a cost of $5,000.00. Although a worthy
recommendation at the time, much has changed since the memorandum was presented to
you for your consideration. Most noticeably, the City has hired a director for the
Neighborhood Services Department, which in turn hired a homeless coordinator to
coordinate all the homeless activities for the City,
Since the hiring of these two positions, the City has renewed the emergency housing
contract with the Salvation Army and is currently working on developing the specifications
for a transitional housing request for proposals. This is the first step in implementing the
Continuum of Care for the City's homeless population. As you know, the Continuum of
Care is a national model that provides homeless individuals and families with a structured,
three-phase program that ensures a successful transition from homelessness to self-
sufficiency.
At this point, I am recommending that we not pursue the rental of the van. Currently, the
homeless have access to medical services at Stanley B. Myers Community Health Centers
and South Shore Hospital. Outreach and referral services are offered through Douglas
Gardens Mental Health Clinic. Additionally, the homeless coordinator is in the process of
developing a homeless working group that will include Miami Beach homeless providers as
well as representation from Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. This working group will
review existing relationships with homeless providers and develop or enhance the current
referral network. In turn, the homeless coordinator with assistance from an outreach team
will assess the homeless population, identify possible encampments and secure bed space
for the homeless individuals. Once a homeless encampment is identified and the outreach
team has completed all the required notification, the homeless individuals and families will
be offered shelter in the Continuum of Care program and subsequently, the encampment
will be closed. Outreach teams will continue to visit the area to ensure that no one resumes
residence at the site again, These are the types of initiatives that will provide a permanent
solution for homelessness and alternative to living on the streets.
Page 2
Mobile Dental and Health SaN/cBs to Homeless Individuals and Families Pilot Program
One of the most important considerations in implementing a Continuum of Care program is
identifying and securing additional funding. The final phase of the Continuum of Care,
permanent housing, is not yet funded. Although much more funding is required, I am
reallocating the mobile medical van funds, $5,000, for the permanent housing component.
Staff will be working to identify and secure additional funding for the City's Continuum of
Care.
F:\ EIG\$aIIIVivian\HomelessMedicaIVan.doc
C: Robert C. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Vivian P. Guzman, Director, Neighborhood Services Department