Shelter
Shelter Management Model
Shelter Services Partnership

Shelter is the emergency room of the State's system of care for children and youth. It is a temporary placement for children and youth of any age who cannot be safely maintained in their own home and for whom another suitable resource is unavailable. Since shelter needs span all the different systems, it necessitates a clear and precise assignment of role and responsibilities. Otherwise, children and youth in need of shelter care will invariably fall through the cracks. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the partnerships, coordination process, and service elements of the shelter management model developed and endorsed at the Shelter Partnership Retreat on November 9-10, 1999.

Shelter is a transition housing service that is part of a continuum of services for children and youth in a community. It is where the needs of highly vulnerable children and youth from multiple systems converge. State and local entities need to work in partnership to develop, fund, coordinate, and deliver integrated community-based and locally managed shelter services. Essential partners are: DHS OYA Juvenile Departments EducationCommunity Commissions on Children & Families Providers Local MH Providers Local A&D Providers

State and local partners must coordinate their shared responsibility for standards, resources, and service delivery. This figure shows the coordination responsibilities administered at the state level, and those administered at the local level.
State Coordination Responsibilities Philosophy/mission Create and maintain interagency agreements Certification/contract management Federal match management Resource development Advocacy Ongoing maintenance Oversight of coordination efforts	Local Coordination Responsibilities Philosophy/mission Local standards/eligibility Service element agreement Case management development Prioritization agreements Interagency working agreements Data collection and evaluation Operational oversight Advocacy Resource development
Intake Determines need for shelter.	Local Services Team Provides case management as determined by Local Coordination Process.

Shelter services are provided in family home settings as well as in facilities that are staffed 24 hours a day. At a minimum, a shelter service provides room and board, assessment, and coordinated case management as well as a basic shelter plan that is culturally appropriate and gender-specific. Beyond the basics, shelter service may vary depending on the age and needs of the children or youth. However, each shelter placement should have the capacity to provide or obtain these additional shelter service elements.