Homeless-Focused C.A.R.E. Team: A Specialized MDT

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Riverside County’s Homeless-Focused C.A.R.E. (Curtailing Abuse Related to the Elderly) Team is a specialized multidisciplinary team (MDT) developed to better address the needs of homeless elder and dependent adults throughout the county. While the traditional C.A.R.E. Team model has developed strong community partnerships, it was quickly recognized that different types of agencies were required to address the service gaps/needs of this unique population. The goal of this specialized team is to facilitate identification, assessment, and linkage of homeless individuals to housing and supportive services. The needs of the elderly at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing homelessness are multiple. The Homeless-Focused MDT offers a forum for social workers and other partner agencies to present complex cases to a multidisciplinary team to consult, seek assistance, and identify additional resources and support for their clients. Since its inception in November 2018, there have been 92 cases throughout the county managed by the Homeless-Focused C.A.R.E team. Clients served by the Homeless-Focused MDT have received services such as permanent affordable housing; increased access to Section 8 housing vouchers; and, linkage to various benefit programs and needed healthcare services and behavioral health interventions.