Organization Description The mission of Redwood Community Action Agency is to provide leadership and advocacy; to develop community-based coordinated services and activities.
The purpose of these goals is designed to enable low-income and/or disadvantaged persons to gain the necessary skills, education, and motivation to become self-sufficient in a healthy, sustainable environment.
Program Information The HHAP-APS program is a community-based program that serves adults 18+, that are considered high-risk, vulnerable, and houseless and/or soon to be houseless, and their households. All clients are referred directly through Humboldt County’s Adult Protective Services (APS) and must meet the eligibility criteria of current houselessness and/or at risk of houselessness within 14 days. The HHAP Case Workers team together to provide intensive case management services with a harm reduction focus and assess the client’s individual needs and the needs of their family that they will obtain permanent housing with. The Case Worker’s begin working with the client almost immediately on housing-related services, with the ultimate goal being that of obtaining and sustaining permanent housing in Humboldt County. Through the process of obtaining housing, Case Workers are also striving to holistically support their clients in stabilizing, whether it be through obtaining a Primary Care Physician, attending a Psychiatry or Behavioral Health appt, starting their application process for disability benefits, building a natural support, looking at their finances, acclimating to the idea and reality of becoming housed indoors and the changes that will come with this huge shift in their daily reality. In addition to the traditional and holistic work of the Case Workers, this team also has a SOAR Case Worker. SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) is a service model that assists individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder, apply for Social Security disability benefits. The SOAR Case Worker provides: technical case management services, client advocacy, assess client’s eligibility for disability benefits, hold the responsibility and title of “Authorized Representative” for the individual’s process with SSA, and submit their complete and quality disability application for benefits through the Social Security Administration. The HHAP-APS program is also able to provide temporary rental assistance and subsidies for housing, and on-going supportive services to assist in sustaining their housing, while increasing their wellness, safety and stability.