Program Components

The WIN Program is divided into 7 program components: 1) Housing Provider; 2) Outreach, Intake and Assessment; 3) Comprehensive Case Management and On-Site Support Services; 4) Housing Assistance; 5) Network of Social Service Agencies; 6) Transition/ Follow Up; 7) Advocacy.

1. Housing Provider: The coalition leases, purchases, develops and maintains properties throughout Brevard County. The WIN Program consists of transitional housing, permanent units for disabled persons, and homes for veterans. WIN homes are attractive, well maintained and provided in safe, secure environments. Our Transitional Housing Program has been in operation since 1998 and our Permanent Housing Program was developed in 2001.
   
   
2. Outreach, Intake and Assessment: Referrals to our WIN Program come from a multitude of outreach efforts and advocates throughout the community. An aggressive outreach to homeless families and individuals living on the streets or in emergency shelters is an ongoing coordinated effort of Brevard Countys social service providers. Candidates for the WIN Program are first interviewed by an Intake Specialist to obtain demographic information. During this pre-assessment screening process, information is gathered from the applicant concerning the problems that contributed to their homelessness. Additional data is also collected from a variety of collateral sources to help the staff in assessing eligibility as well as the clients situation, needs and obstacles. The confidentiality and dignity of each applicant is always thoroughly safeguarded.
   
   
3. Comprehensive Resource Coordination and On-Site Support Services: Following the intake screening and pre-assessment, the resource coordinator conducts an in-depth interview and a comprehensive assessment of needs. The initial stage of our housing management is the development of a working relationship between the participant and the services staff. It is important to note that the entire WIN and WIN/Vet team establishes a working relationship with participants through encouragement and reflection of empathy, warmth, and genuineness. With the assistance of the resource coordinator, all program participants are required to establish both short and long-term goals in writing. Once this is accomplished, the participant and case manager then develop an action plan to meet these self-sufficiency goals. The resource coordinator documents the support service needs, and the appropriate strategies; services and interventions are put in place to help the individual attain the desired outcome. Periodic reviews record the participants progress in meeting these goals.
   If needed, participants entering the programs are provided food; personal hygiene items, clothing, furniture, appliances, cleaning supplies, and transportation.
   
   
4. Housing Assistance: Assistance eligible program participants receive the following housing assistance:
   1. Placement in available WIN or WIN/Vet transitional housing units.
   2. Placement in available permanent housing units.
   3. Placement assistance for affordable housing providers such as Habitat for Humanity, public housing, Section 8, municipal affordable housing programs, etc
   4. Assistance to obtain down payments, utility deposits, rental assistance and supportive services.
   5. Support to remain in any permanent housing.
      
      
5. Network of Social Service Agencies and Community Collaboration: Partnerships with service providers are designed to maximize participants independence; services are flexible and responsive to participant needs, services are available when needed and are accessible to participants, near and where they live. Collaboration partnerships are often informally arranged without legal contracts. Multiple staff members are more commonly involved in delivering services to a program or service. Program participants are protected by professional confidentiality and ethics policies.
   
   
6. Transition/Follow Up: Participants who transition out of the WIN Program are required to complete a Program Exit Interview form with the resource coordinator. This form will establish employment status, income level, childrens status, short and long-term housing goals, personal/family goals, and any concerns of the participant. The resource coordinator determines a prognosis for self-sufficiency with input from the participant and the family. Resource Coordinators follow up at six month and one year intervals when possible.
   
   
7. Advocacy: State and county agencies, non-profit providers, faith-based groups, volunteer agencies, and Friends of the Homeless came together to address the lingering issues of inadequate and/or fragmented services in place for the county's homeless citizens through the HUD Continuum of Care process. Partnerships were created and utilized to facilitate a seamless system of services as on a regular basis. However, in order to become seamless, a priority is the creation of a homeless management information system (HMIS) to link services among the Countys geographic divisions - North (Titusville area), Central (Cocoa area), South (Melbourne and Palm Bay areas), and the Beaches. As part of this process, the numerous agencies providing any service to the homeless and indigent have been mapped and cataloged and now are being put on a website maintained by Crisis Services as the hub for the proposed HMIS.