 Florin Road Safe Stay Welcomes GuestsOn Monday, August 21st 2023, Sacramento County’s first Safe Stay Community welcomed its first guests. The sleeping cabin style shelter campus has a capacity of 125 – 75 single cabins and 25 double occupancy cabins and was approved by the Board of Supervisors in June 2022. The first guests are a couple that will use one of the double occupancy cabins. What Can Guests Expect? On premise guests can use bathroom and shower trailers, laundry services and eat three meals a day in the common area. The campus also has a gated pet relief area, a computer lab, entertainment space, employment development and housing-focused case management. Guests will also be connected with transportation resources to off-site needs such as medical appointments or jobs. Each cabin is outfitted with a bed that folds down from the wall, two storage containers, basic toiletry supplies, desk and chair, overhead light, HVAC, power outlets, smoke alarm and fire extinguisher and a locking door. Cabins also have enough space to accommodate a dog bed or pet crate. The campus has storage containers for possessions that do not fit in the sleeping cabins. The Florin Road Safe Stay community is operated by City Net. City Net has more than 25 employees dedicated to managing the campus, as well as meeting client’s basic needs. Employees also provide case management and housing navigation. How Are Guests Referred? The Florin Road Safe Stay Community is currently a closed referral process, through homeless services providers engaging with people living outside near the shelter. Existing street outreach providers, both within the City of Sacramento and in the unincorporated area of Sacramento County, will engage with people living outside in the immediate area to evaluate what services and shelter programs they are eligible for and that will best meet their needs. Public requests for shelter referrals should be referred to 2-1-1, who will follow standard referral process for requests for outreach and support to encampment communities. How Can the Community Get Involved? City Net accepts in-kind donations by appointment only. To schedule a donation drop-off, email getinvolved@citynet.org. Accepted donations include, but aren't limited to: - Hygiene supplies (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene, incontinence supplies, etc.).
- NEW emergency clothing staples (t-shirts, sweats/shorts, socks, undergarments, etc.) Gift cards of various values.
- Animal supplies (dog food, cat food, toys, collars, leashes, beds)
The minimum age for volunteers is 18 years of age. Each volunteer must complete a volunteer application/waiver and be cleared prior to arrival. No walk-up volunteers will be permitted on-site. To learn more about getting involved, contact City Net's Northern California Community Resource Mobilization Manager at keith.wright@citynet.org. The County has a second Safe Stay site opening off Florin and East Parkway, in the County Department of Health Services parking lot, this fall. The East Parkway site will have capacity for 65 people at any given time. Review the Florin Road Safe Stay Fact Sheet. Read the Client Flier for more information on amenities and guest requirements. If you need shelter or services, please call 2-1-1. For more information on what the County is doing to address homelessness, visit the Department of Homeless Services and Housing website.
Nottoli Place: A Safe Haven for Older AdultsA safe haven for older adults has helped more than 30 clients in Sacramento County since opening its doors earlier this year. Nottoli Place is a safe and supportive facility for older adults in need of temporary housing. The facility is named after retired Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli. With the goal of preventing homelessness and providing essential services, Nottoli Place has become a beacon of hope for older adults facing challenging circumstances. Since its grand opening in February of this year, the facility has already made a positive impact on the lives of its residents. The first client, an 86-year-old, moved into Nottoli Place in March. The facility has 15 beds so it can house several clients at once.
“It's a team effort. You put in the time, and you can see the results. It pays off if you really put in the time because the program here really helps you out and it works," says Hershell Walthall.
Hershell is a former Nottoli Place client. He stayed at the facility earlier this year. At the end of the summer, he was able to move into his own apartment thanks to his dedication and the help of the Nottoli Place staff.
Those staying at Nottoli Place are all vulnerable seniors who are at risk of abuse and neglect. They are referred to the facility by Sacramento County's Adult Protective Services. Social workers help connect clients with Nottoli Place and make sure they have a way to get to the facility. Once they arrive, they are greeted by Volunteers of America workers who staff Nottoli Place. From there, they are provided with their own room and offered help applying for permanent housing.
Regular follow-ups by Adult Protective Services and Volunteers of America staff contribute to the success and well-being of the residents. The staff is dedicated to individualized care, and they get to know the clients so each of their individual needs are met, offering personalized assistance when necessary. Thanks to the dedication of the Nottoli Place staff, Sacramento County’s Department of Child, Family and Adult Services, and the clients themselves, Nottoli Place has become a beacon of hope for older adults facing hardship. Within a few short months, Nottoli Place has already made a difference in many lives and with continued support, staff hope to help those in need for years to come.
 Behavioral Health Opens 11th Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment (CORE) Program SiteIn the heart of Sacramento County, at the intersection of Broadway and X St., a significant milestone was celebrated earlier this month—the opening of the 11th Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment (CORE) Program site. This marks a crucial step in expanding a vital initiative that plays a central role in County Behavioral Health services. The CORE Program is the result of Sacramento County's tireless work to revamp and improve our County Behavioral Health adult outpatient continuum. By consulting with consumers, their families, direct service staff, and various community stakeholders, CORE seamlessly combines valuable existing services with innovative enhancements. At the heart of every CORE site lies a peer-run community wellness center, open to all adults in Sacramento County looking for meaningful activities and peer support. These centers are welcoming spaces designed to encourage meaningful interactions. The services provided are client-focused, recovery-oriented, strength-based, and culturally sensitive, ensuring individuals receive tailored support that adapts to their changing needs and goals. The CORE outpatient mental health treatment program offers specialized services and support for adults aged 18 and older. This approach recognizes that individuals' needs change over time, allowing for adjustments in treatment intensity as necessary. Through this client-centered approach, CORE empowers individuals to take control of their own recovery journey. With the successful launch of all 11 CORE sites, Sacramento County continues the transformative shift in community-driven behavioral health care. With the completion of this ambitious system of care change we're excited to witness the transformative impact behavioral health system of care. The success of implementing the CORE Program is a testament to the power of working together. It shows what can be achieved when communities, organizations, and individuals come together for a common goal: improved mental health care for the most vulnerable in our community. This initiative serves as a source of hope, lighting the way towards a more inclusive, supportive, and resilient community.
| A message from Deputy County Executive of Social Services - Chevon Kothari:We are excited to launch our first edition of a Social Services Agency Newsletter. For those who are not familiar with the County structure, our 22 County Departments are grouped by Agency. The “Social Services” Agency is comprised of the following Departments:
• Health Services
• Human Assistance
• Child, Adult and Family Services
• Homeless Services and Housing
• Child Support Services
• Environmental Management Additionally, we have a special “dotted line” relationships with:
• First 5 of Sacramento – who are County employees, but report to the First 5 Commission (of which Supervisor Serna and myself both sit upon)
• Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, which are both Joint Powers Authority between the County and City of Sacramento, reporting directly to the Board of Supervisors and the Sacramento City Council, but who work closely with our Departments. My role, as Deputy County Executive over the Social Services Agency, is two-fold: first to be the liaison between our Departments and the County Executive’s Office and Board of Supervisors, supporting Departments’ to access the resources and tools needed to advance the County’s and each Department’s goals and objectives. Second, I see my role as a “connecter the dots”. The individuals and families we serve often have complex needs that span across Departments. Our ability to work together on their behalf, seeking to address the needs of the “whole person” or “whole family” is essential to well-being – at an individual, family and community level. Each Department is doing amazing work day in and out on your own – when we come together to effectively collaborate, it’s a force multiplier, making us that much more capable of helping the most vulnerable in our community. Why a newsletter and why now? Your Department heads and I have been coming together regularly over the past year to strengthen our intent and our plans for working together across our Departments. One of our goals is to ensure that we find multiple strategies and forums for communicating out information so that we can learn more about what our sister Departments are doing and we hope to create space for better collaboration and innovation as we problem solve and strategize together. Additionally, it’s essential that we celebrate the successes and great work that is happening in each of our Departments and this is one avenue for doing so – we will invite you in future newsletters to submit your ideas for stories and programs that are important to lift up and share. Once again, I am excited to help launch this newsletter and look forward to both showcasing the important work of you and your co-workers and also to learning about what is happening across our Social Services Agency!  Black Child Legacy Campaign This summer, multiple departments of Sacramento County presented the annual report on the Black Child Legacy Campaign to the Board of Supervisors. The report highlights the progress made over the past five years in reducing child deaths and improving safety and well-being for Black/African American children and their families. The fight against disproportionate child deaths has been a collaborative effort, bringing together various departments and organizations. Key partners in the effort include Sacramento County's Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services, Sacramento County's Department of Human Assistance, Sacramento County's Probation Department, Sacramento County's Health Services Department, First 5 Sacramento Commission (Chaired by Supervisor Serna), and Sierra Health Foundation. “We are really proud of the relationships we have built across public and private organizations and with the families that we collectively serve together. It takes a whole village to raise a child and here in Sacramento, we continue to strengthen that village for our kids and their families," says Director of Sacramento County's Department of Child, Family and Adult Services Michelle Callejas.
The Black Child Legacy Campaign met three of its goals in reducing African American child deaths. Infant sleep-related deaths were reduced by 54%. DCFAS uses an innovative Cultural Broker Program that utilizes trained community liaisons to help families understand, navigate, and advocate in the Child Protective Services system. Of the 397 families that were assigned a Cultural Broker, 97% of the closed cases achieved a positive outcome, including family reunification (44%), avoiding court intervention (25%), and adoption or guardianship (28%). The Black Child Legacy Campaign also reports that there has been a precipitous decrease in child abuse and neglect deaths. Deaths caused by child abuse and neglect among children ages 0 to 5 years old were reduced by 85%. If you are interested in becoming involved with or learning more about the Black Child Legacy Campaign, connect with your Community Incubator Lead, join the Community Leadership Roundtable or Steering Committee, or become a communication vendor.
 Join Gifts from the HeartIt’s never too early to think about giving back! If you are looking for a way to support those in need this holiday season, sign up to volunteer for Gifts from the Heart. You can volunteer to help wrap or deliver gifts or sponsor a child, senior, or disabled adult for the holidays. In the program’s 35 years, Gifts from the Heart has helped thousands of vulnerable and low-income clients in Sacramento County’s Child Protective Services and Senior and Adult Services. Last year, the program provided gifts for more than 3,000 children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities that the department serves. “The goal of Gifts from the Heart is to remind our clients that their community cares, especially during the holidays,” says Sacramento County Volunteer & Student Intern Services Coordinator Tonja Edelman. Visit GFTH Questions & Answers for more information on Gifts from the Heart, including how you can get involved.
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