The Social Service section provides the community and its residents with access to municipal and community social services in an expeditious, cost effective and comprehensive manner. Efforts are focused on improving access to housing and emergency shelter, improving access to medical care and coverage, and improving social conditions for residents via collaboration and advocacy at the local, state and federal level by identifying needs and working to create systems of resources that are inclusive of all residents/clients in need.
313 unduplicated individuals have used the facility (Day Center and Night Shelter) at 41 New Street reporting period of July 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. The City’s Shelter continues to be an emergency shelter; access is on a first come first serve basis each night. There are 15 beds dedicated to women and men and 5 additional beds reserved for veterans. All clients must be homeless and over the age of eighteen.
The Day Center is open 5 days a week under the City’s supervision and on weekends under Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA). Sign- in sheets are placed in the hallway accessing the restrooms/dinning room area. The sign–in sheets allows statistical and client information on a weekly basis. The Shelter Coordinator provides the community’s homeless population the ability to utilize the facilities (i.e. showers, laundry, mail, telephone, lunch, appointment scheduling, etc) and support service agencies and organizations. Information in the form of referrals and coordination of needed services and community resources are provided on a daily basis to those individuals using the Day Center.
The average number of individuals using the Day Center per month for some form of service is approximately 800- 1100. For the period of January 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014, approximately 7,297
lunches were served to our homeless population.
Chronically homeless, disabled and veterans are encouraged to apply for Shelter Plus Care, Vet House I & II and other forms of transitional housing offered through DMHAS and the VA. The Danbury Health and Human Services Social Service Manager participates and takes an active role in these governing boards of the Danbury Housing Partnership, the Continuum of Care and various subcommittees’ of the Housing Partnership involved in Financial Resources, Social and Supportive Services, Public Relations and Housing and Community Development.
The Emergency Shelter is a forum facility that encompasses staff from various community organizations and social services. In a given week, the Shelter will have community agencies visiting and providing assorted services through DMHAS, Catholic Charities, MCCA, Veterans Administration, Western Connecticut State University, Connecticut Counseling Services, DSS Bureau of Vocational Services and the Department of Labor, WorkPlace and Community Health Care.
The Emergency Shelter has initiated a plan of action for assisting the homeless population in job searches and applications. The Shelter is providing two computers and a printer to assist our clients in on line job applications and resume writing. The Shelter would eventually incorporate literacy, writing skills and assisting in obtaining other educational necessities to obtain viable employment. Staff will assist those clients who take an active role in initiating and following through on job interviews, proper clothing/attire for interviewing purposes, letters of support and any other documentation that will start clients on the road to recovery, independence and self-reliance.
The Emergency Shelter will be opening a medical/behavioral clinic at the shelter in July, 2014, with assistance from the Community Health Center of Greater Danbury. The ability of our homeless population to seek immediate medical and assorted behavioral assistance at the shelter should be a more effective and efficient means in treating this vulnerable population.
The shelter will continue to provide daily case management with various social and supportive services within the community with the ultimate goal of providing permanent housing to our chronic homeless.