Coordinating Housing Services in Chatham and Orange Counties

TRIANGLE FALLS COALITION

AUGUST 18, 2020

OC DOA: Handy Helpers

Theory of change• home repairs & modifications re-establish the home as safe,

secure and comfortable• promote universal design, occupational framework, and

holistic health

Bidirectional referrals• Aging Helpline • OCDOA Occupational Therapist, Marie Dagger, MS, OTR/L • Network of OCDOA services

Process characteristics• older adult volunteers• cost share

Who we serve

>50% 48% >80%Live alone Are 70-79 years of age Live in rural parts of the

county

OC DOA: Handy Helpers

Outcomes

Insights from our survey

Table 4 – Handy Helpers Homes by Project Type FY19-20

Project Type Homes % of Homes Total Hours

Grab Bars 17 30% 49

Railings 13 23% 108

Ramps 11 19% 315

Plumbing 10 18% 32Other Minor Repair 9 16% 38

Exterior Repairs 9 16% 178

Interior Repairs 8 14% 27

*Electrical 4 7% 19Significant Remodel 1 2% 16

“My back steps were in disrepair and the railing was loose, so going up and down was problematic…now I can trust my stairs and rail, so I feel much better.”

“I can get in and out of the tub without worrying!”

“Now I’m able to do a better shower.” One client explained that the Handy Helpers really saved her financially. Because of the low cost of our service, she didn’t need to work extra hours to earn enough to pay another repair person. She takes care of her grandson and was glad to have that time to spend with him, rather than working more.

Collaborative Partners

Prior Collaborative Model

• Homeowner drives the process, increased burden

• Service providers conduct multiple intakes and assessments

• Data shared upon request and only when deemed necessary

• Data documentation not aligned

Homeowner

Org 1

Org 2

Org 3Org 4

Org 5

Re-DesignedCollaborative Model

Org 1

Org 2

Org 3Org 4

Org 5

Home Assessment

Manager

Homeowner

• “No wrong door” approach

• Centralized database

• Clear intake, assessment, and case management processes

• Expectation for increased communication and data sharing

SEEA Grant Project Deliverables

7

Unified Waiver &

Data Sharing

Centralized Home

Assessment

SharedOnline

Database

Unified Application and Intake

Process

Unified Evaluation

Process

Thank you! Questions?

Erika Brown, Senior PlannerTriangle J COG

ebrown@tjcog.org919-558-2700

Morgan Cooper, Handy Helpers Program Coordinator

OC Department on Agingmocooper@orangecountync.gov

516-524-8093