BETTY KWAN CHINN HOMELESS FOUNDATION

THE BETTY KWAN CHINN DAY CENTER OPENED IN NOVEMBER 2013 AT 133 7TH STREET IN EUREKA. THE DAY CENTER PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR LIVING IN VULNERABLE HOUSING SITUATIONS. DAY CENTER SERVICES INCLUDE: PHONE USE, MAIL SERVICE, COMPUTER ACCESS, JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SEARCH ASSISTANCE, PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING, EMPLOYMENT READINESS INFORMATION, REFERRALS TO OTHER RESOURCES, AND AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT THE DAY CENTER IS FREE AND OPEN TO CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, VULNERABLY HOUSED CHILDREN, AND FOSTER CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH GRADE. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH EUREKA CITY SCHOOLS, THE DAY CENTER IS A BUS STOP FOR STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL. THE FOCUS OF THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS PROMOTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS BY ENSURING HOMEWORK IS COMPLETED, ACCURATE, AND UNDERSTOOD. THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES AN AVERAGE OF 15 CHILDREN PER YEAR.

BETTY'S HOUSE FAMILY SHELTER OPENED IN JANUARY 2017, AND HAS 32 BEDS AVAILABLE. REFERRALS FOR THE FAMILY SHELTER ARE ACCEPTED FROM CALWORKS AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES. FAMILY SHELTER RESIDENTS MAY STAY IN THE PROGRAM FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS WITH THE POSSIBILITY FOR AN EXTENSION ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. FAMILIES WORK WITH THE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM TO SET GOALS AND ASSESS THEIR PROGRESS. THE FAMILY SHELTER REQUIRES RESIDENTS TO: BE EMPLOYED OR ACTIVELY SEEKING EMPLOYMENT; BE ACTIVELY SEEKING HOUSING; TO BE ATTENDING CASE MANAGEMENT MEETINGS; AND TO BE MEETING GOALS SET BY THE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND OTHER AGENCIES. ALL SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AT THE FAMILY SHELTER MUST BE ATTEND SCHOOL. THE FAMILY SHELTER PRIORITIZES SINGLE FATHERS, TWO PARENT FAMILIES AND FAMILIES WITH TEENAGES BECAUSE THEY HAVE LIMITED SHELTER OPTIONS. ON AVERAGE, THE FAMILY SHELTER CAN HOUSE UP TO 7 FAMILIES AT A TIME. BETTY'S HOUSE MEDICAL RESPITE IS A PROGRAM FOR SINGLE ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF AN ILLNESS OR INJURY. THE MEDICAL RESPITE PROGRAM HAS 10 BEDS AVAILABLE. RESIDENTS ENTER THE MEDICAL RESPITE PROGRAM AFTER BEING SCREENED AT ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL TO ASSESS FITNESS FOR THE PROGRAM AT BETTY'S HOUSE. ONCE APPROVED, THE RESIDENT IS MOVED FROM THE HOSPITAL TO BETTY'S HOUSE IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCHARGE. RESIDENTS ARE APPROVED FOR A 21 DAY STAY IN ORDER TO RECOVER FROM THE ILLNESS OR INJURY THEY WERE BEING TREATED FOR AT THE HOSPITAL. THE ST. JOSEPH HEALTH CARE TRANSITIONS TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MEDICAL CARE AND CASE MANAGEMENT OF THE RESPITE RESIDENTS.