"Connecting the Dots" to Address Homelessness
Santa Monica Public Library, Calif.
Innovation Synopsis
Through a series of pilots and iterative programs, including a bi-monthly Pop-Up Resource Fair, Outreach and Social Workers in the Library, cross-departmental action-oriented team meetings and enhanced staff training, the library and various city departments have embarked on a more collaborative approach to address homelessness on city-wide scale.
Challenge/Opportunity
With a number of efforts, both in the nonprofit and public sectors, centered around addressing homelessness, a challenge can often be aligning these efforts and maximizing the return on investment. Through monthly action planning and a performance management approach (SamoStat process), The City of Santa Monica is taking a more rapid, nimble and holistic approach to addressing homelessness in the city; the library continues to be "at the table" as a key participant.
Key Elements of Innovation
We are partnering with city departments, local nonprofits and businesses, residents and community leaders to develop and implement:
- Outreach - Embedded outreach worker, planned social worker in the library
- Connections to Service - Bi-monthly Pop-up Resource Fairs at the library, one-on-one assistance at weekly office hours
- Pilots - Coalition meeting for unsheltered patrons, inclement weather measures for vulnerable library patrons
- SamoStat - Monthly meetings to share successes, report departmental progress on projects/directives, and evaluate metrics and outcomes
Achieved Outcomes
Through the collective efforts of multiple city departments and leaders, along with the support of the City Council, the city will create a shared understanding and responsibility within our community. Identifying what success looks like through metrics and outcomes will enable us to "connect the dots" throughout the city. This, we hope, will improve, enhance and maximize our efforts to get more individuals connected to services, off the streets and into housing.
