HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-08 Packet
Mendocino County Health & Human Services Agency
Healthy People, Healthy Communities
Tammy Moss Chandler, MPH, MBA, Director
Noemi Doohan, MD, PhD, County Health Officer
Memo
DATE: March 30, 2020
TO: Homeless Ad Hoc Members: Supervisor John McCowen and Supervisor Dan Gjerde
CC: Carmel Angelo, Chief Executive Officer
FROM: Tammy Moss Chandler, HHSA Director
SUBJECT: Prevention Actions in Response to COVID-19 for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
People experiencing homelessness are at especially high risk for infection during an outbreak of
COVID-19. Mendocino County took early action in an effort to prevent an outbreak of COVID-
19 among the homeless population and other vulnerable groups.
Supporting ShelterService Providers to Prevent and Manage the Spread of Infectious
Disease for People Experiencing Homelessnessin Congregate Settings
In early March, Mendocino County identified all congregate carefacilities in the County and
reached out to assess the infectious disease prevention plans of each facility. This included an
onsite assessmentof all three homeless shelters within the County utilizing guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) specifically for homeless shelters.
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center agreed with very short notice to continue their emergency
winter shelter, which was scheduled to close on March 15, 2020. This continuation was
requested in order to fully assess the age and health needs of the emergency winter shelter
population, but was particularly important to continue with the Shelter-In-Place orders that were
implemented beginning March18, 2020.
Providing in place supports and social distancing practices have required the deployment of
new strategies,employee flexibility and service expansion.The County is working withBuilding
Bridges/Redwood Community Services in Ukiah and Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center in Fort
Braggto de-intensify the current homeless shelter system to allow for appropriate social
distancing. This includes exploring hotel and motel options for people with specific health risks
who can better shelter in placein a non-congregate sheltered setting. This use of hotel and
motel roomsprovides general risk reduction by decreasing the density of group sheltering, and
can alsohelpstrengthen supports forpeople experiencing homelessness who are atincreased
risk of adverse mental health outcomes.
The County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)hasalsoexpanded screening and
data tracking protocols for thoseexperiencing homelessness who were
specialized programs utilizing local hotels before COVID-19, including programs for families with
children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Outreach to Unsheltered Populations to Prevent and Manage the Spread of COVID-19
HHSA has coordinated with local Continuum of Care service providers to educate, screen, and
assess the needs of unsheltered populations. This includes surveying approximately 50 people
who are residing in encampments.
Approximately half those surveyed were not aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Shelter
in Place orders, and benefited from education on social distancing and the provision of personal
hygiene supplies. Approximately 20 people were over the age of 65 or had medical conditions
that make them high risk for severe illness from COVID-19. These individuals were offered the
option of entering into an appropriate shelter environment to help prevent infection and manage
any potential spread of COVID-19. Service providers have triaged participants to determine the
most strategic option, whether hotel/motel or congregate shelter environments.
Consistent with CDC recommendations, HHSA is working with high risk individuals who are
willing to relocate and shelter in place. The CDC does not recommend clearing or moving
encampments, which results in dispersing people throughout the community.
Individuals experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in hotel rooms must sign a service
agreement and receive supportive services from Continuum of Care service providers.
Individuals who are sheltered in a congregate environment must agree to follow the rules of that
shelter, including adjusting to new requirements for social distancing.
Appropriate Isolation and Quarantine Venues for People Experiencing Homelessness
Operations Center has completed an advanced plan to
establish and maintain Isolation and Quarantine sites for individuals experiencing
homelessness. This plan is specifically for people who do not require medical support within
hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, and includes transportation after testing in order to safely
isolate.
and quarantine will be provided by Bekkie Emery and the Office of Emergency Services.
Links to Reference Documents:
State of California Recommended Strategic Approaches for COVID-19 Response for
Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, March 2020
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-
19/Protocols-Homeless-Pop.pdf
State of California COVID-19 Recommended Protocol for People Experiencing
Homelessness
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-
19/flowchart-COVID19-homelessness.pdf
National Health Care for the Homeless Council COVID-19 Issue Brief, March 2020
https://nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Issue-brief-COVID-19-HCH-Community.pdf
CDC resources to support people experiencing homelessness
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/index.html
US Interagency Council on Homelessness https://www.usich.gov/covid-19/