Sally is a 73 year-old lady with medical and mental health issues who was discharged from the hospital to a Clearwater area Adult Living Facility (ALF) in February. In early March Sally left the ALF to visit her husband, a resident of another ALF in north Pinellas County. The ALF where Sally had resided for the previous month told her she could not return and removed all of Sally’s personal belongings, placed them by the curb and told Sally to take a cab at her own expense to a homeless shelter in Clearwater. The homeless shelter did not have space for Sally, and called Pinellas Hope for help. We agreed to take in Sally, and transported her from Clearwater to Pinellas Hope.
The case manager at Pinellas Hope interviewed Sally, who was confused and could not explain the circumstances that led to her being dispossessed by the ALF where she had resided since being discharged from the hospital. The Pinellas Hope case manager contacted Sally’s ALF, whose representative adamantly refused to re-admit Sally, stating that she had no resources. The PH case manager found information in Sally’s possession indicating that she had previous contact with Adult Protective Services of the state Department of Children and Families (DCF). Attempts to reach her case worker that evening were unsuccessful. The Pinellas Hope case manager assigned Sally to a casita on our campus and ensured that Sally had a hot meal with our residents. Pinellas Hope staff helped Sally move into her casita. Sally enjoyed her dinner, the companionship of other residents and her accommodations.
The next morning the Pinellas Hope case manager successfully contacted Sally’s DCF case worker who placed Sally in an alternate ALF and transported her to the new housing. As a result of the Pinellas Hope case manager’s diligence, detective work and commitment to the values of our mission, a member of a vulnerable population received immediate assistance and access to long term shelter.
* Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality.