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mh/shelter.pr 96-434 Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530 or
Mary Anderson, 301-217-1702
DUNCAN, COUNTY OFFICIALS
OUTLINE WINTER SERVICES FOR
HOMELESS; NEW SHELTER OPENS
IN ROCKVILLE For Immediate Release: December 19, 1996
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today outlined the
County’s emergency weather plan to serve homeless individuals during severe
winter weather. Duncan was joined in the announcement by County officials and
representatives of non-profit and religious organizations at the County’s
newest shelter, Wilkins Center, located in Rockville, which replaces the
former winter shelter in Aspen Hill.
While there is a lot of talk about how snow and severe weather might
affect our roads and highways this year, we must also plan to protect our most
vulnerable population from harsh winter weather.
Last year, more than 3,000 individuals were served in the County’s
system of shelters. Special winter-only shelters -- open November through
March -- are open to all homeless individuals who do not have overnight
shelter. Currently, the County's winter-only shelters include Rainbow Place
for Women at the Rockville Presbyterian Church and the Overflow Shelter for
men on Gude Drive in Rockville.
When conditions warrant, two additional facilities will be made
available. They include the Casey Community Center in Gaithersburg and The
Kensington Day Resource and Career Center. The Casey Center is located at 810
South Frederick Road and will be used as an overnight shelter in the event of
an extreme weather emergency (i.e., major snowfall or severe icing, and if
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EMERGENCY SHELTER OPERATIONS 2-2-2-2
Montgomery County Schools are closed). The Kensington Day Resource and Career
Center at 4212 Howard Avenue will be open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends if the wind-chill temperature is 20
degrees or below.
"Depending on the weather, we have the capacity to open our tier system
and regular winter shelters on a 24-hour basis, said Duncan. In addition,
we will open other facilities as needed and we will issue bus tokens for
transportation or provide transportation services such as special Ride-On
buses, taxi cabs and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Information and status of the County's day-to-day operations for
emergency winter shelters will be managed at the County's 24-hour Crisis
Center at 301-656-9161.
Wilkins Center, which will open in early January, will house three
shelter programs at the site, including the Congregation Based Shelter, the
Recuperative Care Program and Sophia House.
The Congregation Based Shelter (CBS), with a capacity of 25 beds, offers
overnight shelter and case management. It is operated by Community Ministry
of Montgomery County through a contract with the Montgomery County Department
of Health and Human Services. Referrals are made through the Crisis Center.
After admission into the CBS/Tier I program, individuals receive a health
assessment through Community Clinic, Inc.; an addictions assessment through
Health and Human Services’ adult mental health and substance abuse services;
and a mental health assessment through the homeless outreach services of the
Mental Health Association of Montgomery County. Shelter, meals and
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EMERGENCY SHELTER OPERATIONS 3-3-3-3
hospitality are provided on a rotating basis by volunteers from more than 50
religious congregations throughout Montgomery County.
The Recuperative Care Program provides 24-hour shelter for approximately
65 homeless persons per year who require time for recuperating after discharge
from a hospital or other acute care setting. Community Ministry of Montgomery
County will manage the 10-bed portion of the center, with assessment and case
management services provided by Health and Human Services staff. Four of the
ten beds will be used for individuals requiring specialized care.
Sophia House, a women’s emergency shelter, will offer two dozen shelter
beds to women from April 1 through October 31, when winter shelters are
closed. Currently, there is no emergency housing outside the County's three-
tier system to serve women when the winter shelter in Rockville is closed.
Sophia House will be operated by Community Ministry of Rockville and will
offer time-limited shelter and food.
The County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs, through
federal HUD grants, is providing $325,000 towards the renovation of the
Wilkins Center and $50,000 for program activities. An additional $170,000 for
renovation was provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ emergency
services program is responsible for planning and developing shelter services
for the homeless on a year-round basis, as well as formulating special plans
for weather crises. Throughout the year, the shelters will direct services to
individuals who need help overcoming the issues which have led to their
homelessness.
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EMERGENCY SHELTER OPERATIONS 4-4-4-4
"Our services to the homeless are a true partnership between the County,
the faith community, non-profit organizations and our citizens, with each one
playing a critical role in delivering services," said Duncan.
ATTACHMENT
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