Darren (identified only by first name in the transcript) reviewed the Community Care program’s ‘‘graduated rehousing’’ approach during the Nov. 12 joint council–commission session, reporting the program engaged 43 individuals through community contact and generated 52 separate service encounters this year.

In the presentation Darren outlined a staged model: proactive community outreach (step 1), immediate stabilization via direct aid and referrals (step 2), referral to a case‑management partner (referred in the transcript as RNP/RMP) for behavioral‑health and substance‑use assessments and treatment planning (step 3), and transition to supportive housing when appropriate (steps 5–7). Darren said 26 individuals progressed into the case‑management steps and that eight people later moved into supportive housing and reintegration.

Council members asked how many people ‘‘fall off’’ the pipeline because they secure housing elsewhere, decline further services, or cannot be tracked. Darren and other staff said the counts reflect service encounters and some duplication — repeat participation in the program is common — and that not all people in contact with the program require the full continuum of services.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff stressed that the program’s work is resource‑intensive and that one staff person cannot safely or sustainably conduct outreach, make repeated wellness checks, and coordinate with behavioral‑health partners. Julie Johnston and other commissioners described burnout and safety concerns; they supported creating an outreach position that could be shared between the Community Care program and police outreach.

Quotes:
"We engaged with 43 individuals at the community contact level and generated 52 separate service encounters," Darren said.
"It’s not fair to ask one person to go out there and do this work on their own," a staff person said when arguing for an outreach position shared with police.

Program details and caveats: Darren said some clients may enter detox for up to 28 days, but exact timelines vary by individual progress. The transcript refers to partner organizations and acronyms (RNP, RMP) without spelling out full organizational names; the commission noted those partners provide case management and treatment coordination.

Next steps: Commissioners recommended funding or authorizing an outreach role, improving coordination with case‑management partners, and continuing to monitor program metrics. No formal hiring decision or budget appropriation was made at the session.