Community Shelter Flashcards
Types of Temporary Shelters
• Domestic violence shelters- help survivors of domestic violence by providing safe housing for abuse victims and their children.
• Family shelters - provide secure, temporary refuge and a supportive environment to homeless families.
• Homeless shelters- often associated with churches or government, are short-term stabilizing housing solutions that often provide services to assist the residents.
• Homeless coalitions- available in most Florida counties, coordinate shelter, food, and other basic social needs within a local area.
Many counties have Community Resource Guides that list the local shelters and their toll-free numbers.
Identifying Community Shelters and Restrictions
Determine which local shelters best meets the needs of an offender by using the Department of Corrections Intranet Re-entry Resource Page.
When you determine an offender is in need of housing assistance, contact the shelter directly to see if bed space is available. Identify yourself as the offender’s probation officer and advise the shelter representative of the offender’s circumstances and needs. Some shelters have restrictions regarding offenders who commit violent crimes or sex offenders. Shelters may also have daily rates, curfew restrictions, a religious component, and gender or age guidelines. Make the offender aware of any shelter restrictions
Providing Offender with Information About Community Shelters
If an offender appears to qualify for and agrees to the proposed placement, give them the contact information and address of the shelter. Determine what steps are necessary to secure a space in the temporary shelter and relay the information to the offender.
Provide the offender with contact information and directions to the shelter.
If the shelter has a waiting list, ask if the offender would like their name added to a waiting list or would rather seek an alternate placement.
Document in OBIS all efforts to obtain housing or shelter for an offender. Upon offender acceptance to a local shelter, update the Residential History screen with the new temporary address. If the shelter is a refuge for domestic violence, indicate in OBIS that the address is confidential. Update the ISP in OBIS to reflect the goal of obtaining stable residency
