Homeless Court Program

Speakers: Steve Binder, Marsha Duggan, Andre Simpson

Collaboration is the key to success

   -  Service providers collaborating with each other and working with the court system

History of Homeless Court Program

   -  Began at Stand Down in San Diego

   -  Survey of veterans revealed greatest need was outstanding warrants

   -  Arranged for court to work with Stand Down to hold court at event to solve issues

   -  Alternative sentencing - onsite activities became sentence for misdemeanor 
      cases

   -  Many cases dismissed due to homeless persons making effort for change

   -  Many charges were a result of homelessness

Collaboration with court system to convince HCP is possible

   -  Clerks, bailiffs, attorneys

   -  Developed disposition agreement - established list of offenses that will be 
      dismissed

   -  Courts kept participating due to success of program

   -  Established guidelines to resolve cases and help the individuals

   -  Courts will save money in comparison to usual process

HCP Panel discussion at NCHV Annual Conference - June 7, 2006

   -  Will have HCP manual/workbook for distribution

   -  Further discussion of HCP and how to start one in your community

Stand Down Observation - July 14-16, 2006

   -  Providers welcome to attend Stand Down in San Diego to observe process

   -  Discussion afterward on entire process and how to integrate into community

   -  Further assistance always available as needed

Monthly Homeless Court

   -  Provider driven - held where people are living (residential treatment programs)

   -  Counseling - individuals present cases, receive counsel - go through the
      process, walk through the fears, develop rapport with staff lawyers and begin 
      to trust that all are willing to help, trust is important

   -  Plea bargain - walk through agreement with individuals - what cases are - what

      charges include

   -  Just like regular court, very positive environment, acknowledging progress of each

      person

   -  Service agencies come along side to serve the veterans

Monthly Homeless Court Program

   -  Monthly court outside of Stand Down is open to all homeless individuals

   -  Non-veterans tend to have same needs

   -  Effort made to bring individuals into the process to get all issues resolved

   -  Providers supply list of names to HCP and warrants are pulled to be heard

   -  One month to process/negotiate case

   -  Success is celebrated, continued effort encouraged

   -  Clearing warrants allows individuals to move forward - get jobs - gain freedom

   -  Court is run on continued success of individuals

   -  Allows judges to see progress of individuals and know they were a part of it

   -  Address all issues, need expansion in this regard - child support - discussions 
      started, groundwork laid for the future

   -  Example: man on SSI - trying to survive without another ticket - allows him 
      to have another way of dealing with issues

   -  Special process - homeless people less trusting of the system

   -  Involvement of providers is key - they tell who their clients are and where they are
      headed

   -  Response from clients is overwhelmingly positive

   -  Over 85% of cases are resolved through program

Providers need help from legal community

   -  Homelessness is an uphill battle

   -  Homeless need strong support

   -  Involvement in HCP provides continuous support

   -  Punishment method - citations, jail, etc. - hasn't worked

   -  Local governments, community members are supportive of solutions to 
      homelessness

HCP process for Stand Down in San Diego

   -  Applications begin in May - try to ascertain the information needed to serve

      individuals at Stand Down

   -  Applications distributed where homeless veterans are

   -  Forms routed to providers who give appropriate services - allows them to track

      services requested and assessed

   -  For veterans' family members as well

   -  Information routed to providers - courts, child support, VA

   -  Applications used as sign in sheet for Stand Down

   -  Stop accepting applications in early July to allow needs to be addressed

   -  3 day event - planning starts in January for July event - all logistics, equipment,

      location, volunteers

Statistics analysis for San Diego Stand Down Homeless Court

   -  750+ participants on site - need to review applications in advance to accommodate

   -  2004:

      -  364 signed up, 188 appeared at the court

      -  80 individuals had 300 cases dismissed

      -  48 people appeared at court with 274 cases

   -  2005:

      -  256 signed up, 122 appeared at the court

      -  46 individuals had 118 cases dismissed

      -  60 people appeared at court with 336 cases

   -  Court able to see all cases because info is prepared beforehand

   -  In 2004 only eight people didn't show up, in 2005 two people didn't show up

   -  Payoff is big, so people show up, all have contact with success stories

HCP responds to great needs

   -  It's almost a given that individuals are interested in HCP services

   -  In issuing citations to homeless people, police are responding to citizens needs

   -  This program provides an alternative to citations that addresses homeless 
      individuals greatest needs

Tips on starting a program in your community

   -  Find interested court personnel - judge, defenders, administrators

   -  Prosecutors' first concern is to hold people accountable - not tied to services and 
      what people need - looking at offense only

   -  Providers see offense as a result of an unmet need

   -  A manual will be available at the NCHV Annual Conference

   -  See HCP in action at San Diego's Stand Down July 14-16, 2006