County of Santa Cruz Human Services Smart Path to Housing and Health

The County Human Services Department (HSD) oversees a broad array of services, programs, and entitlement payments designed to protect the vulnerable, promote self-sufficiency, alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life for residents of Santa Cruz County. HSD has a long history of providing housing and supportive services to persons experiencing homelessness including those who have been homeless for significant lengths of time and those with complex needs. Included in HSD’s array of offerings are several housing and service programs for persons experiencing homelessness.

Program Information HSD operates the HUD required coordinated entry system, locally named Smart Path to Housing and Health. The Smart Path program coordinates assessments and referrals for federally funded housing programs. All individuals and families who enter one of the Smart Path access points complete an assessment to identify immediate needs, screen for general program eligibility and explore housing diversion options. The assessment includes the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT), a nationally recognized evidence-informed tool which provides a score based on an individual or family’s vulnerability. Smart Path Assessors are located at service organizations throughout the county who serve people experiencing homelessness. Smart Path utilizes the countywide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for its technology needs. All Smart Path assessments are entered into HMIS. Referrals to available housing openings are generated through the HMIS system by the Referral Specialist at HSD.

This internship opportunity would provide the student with a deeper understanding of the complex issues of providing appropriate housing to people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County and assist with developing and implementing policy related to the coordinated entry system. The intern would attend HMIS Policy committee and Smart Path Steering committee meetings, assist with preparing agendas, take notes and complete any follow up tasks; assist Smart Path staff with analyzing aggregate data from the HMIS system and developing policy recommendations; assist with preparing and implementing Smart Path Assessor trainings, conduct Smart Path assessments as needed.

the following CHHS Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) that the student will be exposed to:
- Collaboration
- Conflic Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Financial management
- Information Management
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Leadership
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Professional Development
- Public Policy Analysis
- Statistics and Research Methods
- Systems Management

Client confidentiality training.