Grantee: Downtown Emergency Service Center
Timeframe: January 2021 – December 2021 | Amount: $15,000
DESC will use Nimble Grant funds to improve the SAGE intake system through the purchase of five laptop computers, SIM cards and associated peripherals. Currently, SAGE intake personnel do not have computers in the treatment rooms where intake interviews are held, so staff complete paper forms with the clients and then input the information into DESC’s CHASERS client database on desktop computers later. This duplication of effort slows down intake efforts significantly and poses the risk of incorrect or incomplete information being entered. Improving DESC’s computing capacity in the intake process will allow them to bring more clients on board, saving time to serve more people and improving their process so clients are able to access help faster and more effectively.
With laptops and SIM cards in the treatment rooms, intake staff will be able to enter client information directly during the intake interview itself. Now, intake staff generally conduct the interviews and then, as time allows during the day, they transfer the information to CHASERS. Sometimes, they are able to do so in a time frame that allows clients to be connected to providers for further need assessment that same day. But depending on how busy the intake schedule is on any given day clients sometimes have to wait days or a week between the intake interview and actually getting connected with a provider. This is a time where the risk of the client not returning for follow up is high.
Computers and SIM cards will be purchased by DESC’s Information Services staff, and they will complete the agency’s set-up of CHASERS and other software as soon as possible. There will be a brief training session for the intake staff on how to enter data on the laptops before they are deployed for service.
DESC’s SAGE Intake and Enrollment project will increase access to health care for approximately 25% more new clients than the 400 currently enrolled annually.
About Our Grantee
Downtown Emergency Service Center
The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) works to end the homelessness of vulnerable people, particularly those living with severe mental illnesses, persistent substance use disorders and major medical conditions. Through partnerships and an integrated array of comprehensive services, treatment and housing, we give people the opportunity to reach their highest potential. At DESC, uncommon efforts produce uncommon results that eliminate homelessness, one person at a time.
