The Secret Sauce: Why Case Management is the Heart of Every Bed
"That’s the secret sauce... to see this increase in these various life domains... from crisis to thriving." — Chad McComas.
In the world of homeless services, it is easy to become obsessed with "bed counts." But a bed without a plan is just a place to sleep; it isn't a pathway home.
This lesson is best illustrated by the story of Shannon. When she first entered the program, she was in total crisis, scoring a "1.5" on the Self-Sufficiency Outcome Matrix (SSOM). She struggled with her temper and was even exited from the program more than once.
However, because the "Secret Sauce" of intensive, relationship-based case management remained the heart of her program, she was given the tools to address her triggers and set measurable goals.
Today, Shannon isn't just housed; she owns her own home and serves as a director helping other seniors navigate their way out of the pit of homelessness.
The Pain Point: The Trap of "Warehousing"
The greatest tragedy in modern homeless services is "warehousing"—the act of providing non-congregate or congregate shelter without a roadmap for life recovery.
When programs focus solely on the "roof" and ignore the "roadmap," participants often become stagnant or entitled, eventually cycling back to the streets because they never replaced their "street family" with a new community of support.
Without case management, organizations also find themselves "overwhelmed by the urgent," failing to capture the data necessary to prove to funders that real progress is happening.
The Key Lesson Learned: The Golden Thread of Data
Our work with hundreds of individuals in 7 states has reaffirmed that case management is the "Golden Thread" that connects initial assessments to final housing outcomes. The lesson is simple: you must use a tool like the SSOM to track progress across 15 life domains—such as income, health, and support systems—to turn a temporary stay into a permanent transformation. Case management provides the "tough love" and boundaries people crave, ensuring that every bed is a stepping stone on a stairway toward self-sufficiency.
Master the Secret Sauce in Your Community
Transitioning from a "mom and pop" shelter to a professionalized, outcome-driven organization requires the right ingredients. Our Technical Assistance team—Chad McComas, Matt Vorderstrasse, Phil Johncock, and our exceptional team—brings over 70 years of combined experience to help you implement the "Secret Sauce" of relationship-based case management.
Whether you need to integrate the Self-Sufficiency Matrix into your database or train your staff on boundary mastery, we provide the customized support needed to turn your vision into a measurable success. Don't just provide a bed; provide a future.
Book a Free Consultation today and let us help you build a heart for every bed in your community.
By,
Phil Johncock, MA, MMs, GPC
PhilJohncock.com | PhilJohncock@gmail.com | (702) 518-8756