Homeless Outreach and Engagement Services

The Vendor is required to provide the city in operating a homeless outreach and engagement program ("program") designed to promote the health, safety, and welfare of palm desert residents.
- Services shall be delivered in the field, including street-level and community-based locations, with an emphasis on providing immediate and responsive support to anyone experiencing homelessness.
- This project is to create a responsive and compassionate system of care that proactively engages unhoused individuals and reduces barriers to shelter, housing, and supportive services.
- The program will screen, assess, and engage vulnerable individuals and connect them to essential resources, including mental and physical health services, substance use treatment, disability support, and other services that improve health, stability, and quality of life.
- Outreach and Engagement.
o    Build rapport and trust with unsheltered individuals.
o    Use standardized assessment tools (e.g., VI-SPDAT).
o    Enter all data into the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) in a timely manner.
o    Complete verifications of homelessness as needed.
o    Assist participants with transportation to critical appointments.
o    Facilitate enrollment in health coverage or essential benefits.
o    Create and maintain a City-specific By-Name List to track individuals and progress toward housing and treatment goals.
- Care Coordination.
o    Mental health services
o    Substance use treatment programs
o    Primary and urgent care
o    Employment and vocational programs
o    Food access resources
o    Shelter and housing programs
o    Other basic-needs services
- Case Management.
o    Developing personalized service plans
o    Assessing behavioral health and substance needs using accepted screening tools.
o    Facilitating family reunification, pet care planning, and access to food and public benefits.
o    Maintaining ongoing contact and support until the participant is successfully linked to a long-term provider or placed in stable housing.
- Housing Navigation.
o    Assisting participants with obtaining vital documents (ID, birth certificates, Social Security cards)
o    Completing housing applications and preparing documentation for CES.
o    Working with landlords, property managers, and alternative housing options (e.g., board-andcare, sober living, room-and-board).
o    Accompanying participants through the housing process and supporting move-in.
o    Providing housing stabilization planning to support long-term success.
o    Using flexible funds for housing-related costs such as application fees, deposits, or short-term rental assistance.
- Data Collection and Reporting.
o    Maintaining complete and accurate participant records in CES/HMIS.
o    Collect data on all services delivered.
o    Submitting monthly outcome reports to the City including:
o    Individuals engaged
o    Assessments completed
o    GIS-based data reports (ArcGIS heat maps of outreach encounters)
o    Referrals made
o    Housing placements
o    Linkages to substance use or behavioral health treatment.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: December 22, 2025