California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2017_Spring Magazine.v3 | Page 20

City of Folsom ’ s Faith & Homelessness Initiative

By : Lt . Eric Heichlinger , Folsom Police Department
Like many areas in the state , the Sacramento region has seen a notable uptick in the visibility of homelessness . Record snow and rainfall have caused flooding , often displacing people who typically reside alongside remote creeks and riverbanks and driving them into more populated areas . This has been true in Folsom , a community of approximately 78,500 in the northeastern corner of Sacramento County , and adjacent to the American River Parkway . In addition to the close proximity to the American River , Folsom is the last stop for eastbound Sacramento Regional Transit Light Rail trains .
The Folsom Police Department ’ s efforts at addressing the public health and law enforcement issues pertaining to homelessness is spearheaded by the department ’ s Community Crime Suppression Unit ( C . C . S . U .). Working in partnership with local non-profits , Folsom C . C . S . U . officers seek to both address the issues surrounding
20 California Police Chief | www . californiapolicechiefs . org homelessness while simultaneously trying to guide those willing onto the pathway to stable housing . For those seeking permanent housing , Folsom officers steer the individuals to a Navigator , an employee of a nonprofit organization . The Navigator is charged with creating a personalized action plan for each client , with the goal of the client working towards getting off the street . Depending on the needs of the client , the Navigator may assist with obtaining necessary documentation , securing Social Security SSI , disability insurance or veteran ’ s benefits , reuniting the client with family , making mental health referrals , and obtaining substance abuse treatment . In short , the Navigators job is to develop a relationship with the client and assist in clearing all existing barriers to housing .
The Navigation process is highly labor intensive . Just getting the client ‘ document ready ’ can be a challenge and require multiple visits to a variety of governmental agencies . Further ,
Folsom has a single Navigator who works part time . As a result the process of preparing a client for housing can be lengthy , and often longer than a person experiencing homelessness is willing or able to wait .
FORCE MULTIPLIERS Folsom is blessed with a strong sense of civic pride and a high level of volunteerism . This is readily apparent among our faith-based community and many of our congregations have voiced and demonstrated a strong desire to assist homeless members of our community . The challenge with these efforts is ensuring the volunteer energies are directed towards solutions and do not enable or exacerbate the problems associated with homelessness in Folsom . Under the leadership of Folsom Fire Chief Dan Haverty and Folsom police Corporal Peter Boelman , the C . C . S . U . supervisor , the concept of Folsom Faith and Homelessness Initiative ( FHI ) was developed .
The FHI draws upon the experience , resources , and desire