Page 40 - LTHC Publics Catalog, Spring 2018 Update

EMPLOYEE INTERVIEW NOTES

• Looking at everything available and make connections to assist our guests

• We now have an employment specialist which has been huge for us. It is more about the client: seeing every-
one and what he needs, so now we also have someone to follow up both with our clients/the employers. We
are housing a lot more people: in permanent housing as well. More support/overall quicker housing. We are
advocating big time for housing support.

• The employment specialist will assess each case manager referral. The specialist will then help reach out to
employers and find the jobs that are most suited for our clients//where they will be able to thrive and actually
perform the works/tasks that are asked of them. The specialist also serves as a mediator and can help talk
to employers about why our clients would be good workers--especially if there is concern on the individual’s
background, clothing, transportation, or other major barriers. They also help with filling out applications
(especially because everything is online now which can be hard for some of the LTHC clients who are not as
tech-savvy).
Question 3: What services do you think still need to be added to LTHC in order to help its
guests more efficiently and effectively?

• The new center that they are trying to build and open

• More shelter space (there’s currently limited space)

• There is nothing for couple’s housing; there’s housing only for singles and families. Hopefully the new center
can close that gap.

• Connecting guests to employment, maybe bringing in a specialist

• An emergency shelter for everyone-- when the other shelters in the area are full (which happens of-
ten). People who are getting kicked out or even the new hires who are working second/third (late
shifts) who are unable to go to the shelter to get their pass for the night in time are on the streets.
There are many factors with this in terms of barriers that can prevent clients from being able to get the passes
to have a place to sleep. For example, if they are sick on Friday then they cannot get their pass on time and
have nowhere to sleep on the weekend. Something we need to work to improve in whatever ways we can.

• In addition, more hands-on healthcare. This is a huge barrier for us. Proper care could have changed the path
of many of our clients, so how can we connect them with the proper care they need? Many times the only
places that will accept the healthcare insurance we are providing are far away (Crawfordville), so then how are
we getting the clients there? This is a big issue for us. A lot of our clients struggle with mental health issues/
addiction (a lot of addiction comes from self-medicating to try and cure the mental health issues). If they had
proper health care, who knows how much their lives could improve or be at an upward slope. Health care is
HUGE.
Question 4: Is there anything we are forgetting to ask that you would like to tell us about
the LTHC, your experiences there, and the services they offer?

• Hopefully the new center can bring the ability to have shelter and services in the same building (very import-
ant to have this, especially in the winter).

• LTHC needs more capacity, more beds, more permanent, supportive housing.

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