Mobile Outreach Program

1. Mobile Outreach Program

2. S.E.A.R.C.H. Homeless Services • Search Emergency Aid Resource Center for the Homeless. • Mission: Provide hope, create opportunity, and transform lives • Values • Integrity: We do the right thing and make the right choice. • Trust: We are credible, competent, and keep our commitments. • Authentic Communication: We respectfully exchange ideas, information, and perspectives. • Client Centered: We make clients the central focus of our work. • Learning Organization: We foster education, innovation, and discovery.

3. Program Description • SEARCH’s Mobile Outreach Program (MOP) goes out into the community where unsheltered and un-served people congregate or camp to promote the awareness of SEARCH’s services to the population experiencing homelessness: • MOP also: • Carries needed services and supplies to persons outdoors • Acts as a liaison between the individual experiencing homelessness and other service providers • Our primary goal is to assist people experiencing homelessness in accessing the social services they need in order to obtain a stable, sustainable independent lifestyle.

4. Engagement • Resource Center • Breakfast & Lunch • Intake & Client Orientation • Showers • Laundry • Information & Referral Services • Clothing • Hygiene Items

5. Stabilization • PATH Program • Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness • Provides services to individuals with serious mental illness, as well as co-occuring substance use disorders • Mobile Outreach • Serves as a bridge connecting persons on the streets of Houston to services within SEARCH • Chronics • Provides for clients who are disabled and chronically homeless focusing on transitioning into a permanent housing situation • Disability • Provides assistance to homeless, disabled individuals in applying for Social Security Disability Benefits • Downtown Management District • Provides intensive case management to homeless individuals in the downtown Houston area as referred by the HPD HOT Team

6. Housing • Shelter Plus Care • Provides clients with a combination of stable housing and supportive services designed to help them take charge of their lives and live as independently as possible. • Partners Program • Provides on-site supportive services to formerly homeless residents at Jackson Hinds & Northline SRO with the highest needs. • Off Site Collaborations • Collaborate with New Hope housing to assist clients who are formerly homeless or at risk of homeless to maintain current housing.

7. Employment • Employment Services • Offers job readiness, skills training, employment placement assistance and case management. • Supported Employment • Provides a full range of services which enable people with disabilities to access and succeed in competitive employment. • Veterans Reintegration Program • Support and assist homeless veterans looking for employment

8. Do’s and Don’ts Encountering a potentially hostile homeless individual: • Maintain legs’/arms’ length distance • Maintain respectful eye contact • Be sensitive to cues • Do not touch client’s possessions • If the client does not wish to engage respect their wishes • Do not approach persons or animals without permission

9. Do’s and Don’ts When approaching a sleeping person: • Do not come up behind them • Do not touch them or attempt to physically wake them • Keep your distance while calling out to them in case they awaken with a startled response • Do not leave perishable items or items that can be tampered with if they do not awaken

10. Do’s and Don’ts • Do not attempt to engage a client on your own. • Do not make promises/commitments to clients. • Do not give inaccurate information about services. • Make sure to approach each client courteously and respectfully. • Smile! --Call people by name! --Shake hands! • Listen to what each person has to say respectfully. • It is important to remain open and nonjudgmental