Ellen Perrault
A crucial data-sharing agreement intended to enhance care coordination and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness is now in place in San Bernardino County.
Law enforcement officials and county department leaders of the homeless multidisciplinary team gathered on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the County Government Center to sign the agreement. This initiative is the result of advocacy efforts by San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus and discussions held within the San Bernardino County Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee. The committee is co-chaired by Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. and Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman.
During the discussions, it was determined that enhanced data sharing across county departments is essential to streamlining efforts and improving service delivery to people experiencing homelessness.
“Many individuals facing homelessness often cycle through various public systems, such as emergency rooms and jails, before ever connecting with stable support,” said Baca, Jr. “By improving coordination and implementing data sharing, we can break these cycles and directly connect people experiencing homelessness with the services they need to rebuild their lives.”
Previously, data sharing between county departments was limited due to privacy concerns. However, AB 210, which became effective in 2018, authorizes counties to establish a homeless adult and family multidisciplinary personnel team and allows provider agencies to share certain information, while still complying with federal privacy laws, for the purpose of coordinating housing and supportive services to ensure continuity of care.
The agreement, which includes policies and procedures on how county departments will align their efforts and share data to support the homeless, was signed by Sheriff Dicus, District Attorney Jason Anderson and Public Defender Thomas Son. Included among the other signers arevcounty department leaders from Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Behavioral Health, Community Development and Housing, Innovation and Technology, Office of Homeless Services, Probation, Public Health, Transitional Assistance and Veterans Affairs.
“This is a significant milestone for our county, and I want to thank all of our county departments for making this happen,” said County CEO Luther Snoke. “Each of our departments collects valuable data, and now with this agreement in place, we will be able to connect the dots and improve service delivery across the entire continuum of care.”
This data-sharing agreement builds upon the county’s efforts to address homelessness. Over the past year, San Bernardino County has secured substantial funding from state and federal partners to increase its sheltering and housing capacity. Part of that funding has been allocated toward the expansion of the Pacific Village housing campus in Highland, which will include 58 permanent supportive housing units, 32 recuperative care beds and 32 substance abuse treatment beds.
The county also acquired two motels that will be converted to provide 50 permanent supportive housing units for encampment residents and 130 interim housing beds for homeless patients who are transitioning out of medical care. And on August 7, county leaders unveiled a new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. This facility will offer vital support to young people facing mental health issues.
To learn more about San Bernardino County’s efforts to address homelessness visit https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/.