Specifications include, but are not limited to: Planning • Develop and implement written standards for evaluating households’ eligibility for programs. • Develop and implement written standards for prioritizing which eligible households will receive immediate referrals and/or referrals to the different housing and service programs. • Establish and carry out an affirmative marketing strategy for CEP services to eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, familial status, physical disability, or sexual orientation and identification, and any other protected classes identified by state or federal regulation. • Advertise CEP services and availability throughout the County. • Execute Partnership Agreements with each partner agency to which the CEP makes referrals, that includes at a minimum: o The process by which referrals are made. o The process by which referrals may be refused. o Partner agencies must make a good faith effort to serve clients who are referred from the CEP. o Partner agencies must participate in the PAAG. o Partner agencies will send walk-in clients to the CEP for intake and basic assessment. Some exceptions to this may be made for youth, domestic violence survivors, and in other cases specifically negotiated by the CEP with a partner agency. • Convene a Partner Agency Advisory Group (PAAG), which will consist of all Coordinated Entry Program partner agencies. The PAAG will meet on a regular basis to provide feedback on the CEP, resolve issues and conflicts with the CEP and among Partner Agencies, and suggest improvements for the CEP. Marketing The community should have familiarity with the CEP, so that when households are in need of its services, they know where to go. • Develop written policies and procedures which include a marketing strategy (fliers, brochures, outreach to relevant partners) to ensure the CEP is available to all eligible households regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, including those least likely to access homeless assistance. • Advertise CEP access points to all eligible persons, mainstream systems of care, and other community partners within the entire CEP geographic region. • Develop and distribute marketing materials about the CEP in multiple languages to meet the varying needs of those who speak other languages, have Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and/or have limited literacy abilities, as is appropriate for Kitsap County. Access All households at imminent risk of, or experiencing, homelessness (as defined by the Kitsap Homeless Crisis Response and Housing Plan, and the Washington State Department of Commerce) and in need of diversion, prevention, or re-housing services will be served through this coordinated entry program. Households seeking assistance will be screened to determine if the household qualifies for services from the CEP, and if so, an intake and basic assessment appointment will be scheduled. The standard will be for the household to receive a face-to-face intake assessment within 72 hours/3 business days of contact with the CEP. • Provide at least three site-based access points that serve Kitsap residents located geographically throughout the County. • Ensure that access points are sited in proximity to public transportation and other services or offer some variation to the assessment process in the form of a reasonable accommodation. • Coordinate CEP intakes and services with street outreach/engagement programs. • Provide access to emergency services and referrals independent of the operating hours of the CEP access points. Written policies and procedures that outline the processes which ensure information about how to access emergency services is available independent of the operating hours of the CEP, and describe how households will be connected to the CEP from emergency services when the CEP next opens. Written policies and procedures that indicate whether or not emergency services will be prioritized and how they will be accessed if the assessment and prioritization process are not used. • Provide the same intake, assessment, and referral process, including standardized decision-making, at all access points. • Schedule appointments for households via telephone and email. • Provide and maintain a stand-alone website for the CEP. At a minimum including information about services provided, how to schedule appointments, contact information, access point locations, and how to get assistance after hours. • Ensure the safety of all households who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, but who are seeking shelter or services from non-victim service providers. • Ensure that the CEP is low-barrier and adheres to state and federal anti-discrimination laws. The CEP should attempt to “screen in” all households, and households may not be screened out for any of the following: o Too little income o Poor credit history or financial history o Poor or lack of rental history o Involvement with the criminal justice system o Active or history of alcohol and/or substance use o History of victimization