Information for Providers

The following requirements apply to all providers participating in Coordinated Entry. All providers funded by Yakima County are contractually obligated to participate in Coordinated Entry, and to send representatives to attend at least 9 Policy Team meetings and 9 Provider Team meetings per fiscal year.

Although only some agencies are contractually obligated to participate in Coordinated Entry, all homeless system providers are encouraged to participate in Coordinated Entry. Coordinated Entry works best when we all participate!

Utilizing CE for service provision

Yakima County's Coordinated Entry Guidelines
Washington State's Coordinated Entry Guidelines
Federal Coordinated Entry Core Elements (HUD)

Attending Coordinated Entry Policy Team: 

Attendees at Policy Team meetings should be decision makers for their programs, and Policy Team meetings are open to any representatives sent by their agencies.

The purpose of the Policy Team meetings are to discuss how the homeless emergency response system functions as a whole. What are the concerns and the needs in the community, what are the potential ways in which providers can partner to strengthen our system?

Policy Team meetings occur on the second Thursday of every month, from 10:00am -11:00am. Hybrid: In Person: 223 N. 1st Street, Yakima, WA 98901 or via Zoom  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83952507879?pwd=Qlo3Mk1uUXZTdkU5eVRoRUFuZHJCUT09 

Meeting ID: 839 5250 7879 Passcode: 250597

Attending CE Provider Team meetings

Meetings occur on the second Thursday of every month, from 3:00pm - 4:00pm 

The purpose of the Provider Team meetings are to do specific client case conferencing – creating a forum in which case managers can discuss clients they are having difficulty housing, so that other resources might be identified within the community. If a solution cannot be found among housing providers, an Interdisciplinary Team meeting can be requested. The purpose of Interdisciplinary Team meetings are to identify sectors that represent the primary barriers to housing identified for a unique client (e.g., issues related to law enforcement, healthcare, mental health/SUD, etc.), and invite a group of stakeholders representing those sectors to assist in identifying solutions.

The Provider Team meeting is also where case managers can submit requests for use of IRIS funds – a flexible source of funding provided by the Homeless Network of Yakima County and funded by the Yakima Valley Community Foundation. IRIS funds can be used to cover almost any cost, so long as there can be a clear line drawn to indicate how it can be used to get someone permanently housed. Someone needs to fix the engine on their car so that they can drive to their new job, which is going to allow them to start paying rent and move into an apartment? IRIS can pay for that. Someone needs to pay a pet deposit to move into a new place? IRIS can pay for that.

Attendees at Policy Team meetings should be case managers who work directly with clients, and who have knowledge of other case managers’ clients as well. Because confidential client information is discussed, Policy Team meetings are limited only to current HMIS users and information is limited to those with a verified HMIS account. 

Attending and documenting required CE Trainings

The following trainings are required for respective CE groups, but are recommended for all staff participating in CE programs. Attendance to trainings must be documented.

Programs funded by CHG

The following trainings must be completed at least every three years by all CHG funded staff that provide direct services, supervise direct service staff, and manage homeless grants.

  • Trauma Informed Services
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Supporting survivors of domestic violence
  • Review of CE policies and procedures
  • Fair Housing
  • Housing first, rapid rehousing, progressive engagement, and diversion

CE Access Points

The following trainings must be completed on an annual basis by all staff who administer assessments. Trainings may be in person, a live or recorded online session, or reading material. The Policy Team is responsible for ensuring that these trainings are done.

  • Review of CE policies and procedures
  • How to use assessment information to determine prioritization
  • Criteria for uniform decision-making and referrals

YYA Access Points

The following trainings must be completed at least every three years by all CE staff at YA specific Access Points.

  • Positive Youth Development
  • Harm Reduction
  • Trauma Informed Services
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Cultural Responsiveness
  • Mandated Reporter Training
  • Confidentially Training/Information

Recommended Trainings for all CE staff at YA specific Access Points include but are not limited to:

  • Crisis intervention
  • Supporting victims of sexual and/or domestic violence
  • Working with commercially sexually exploited youth
  • Professional boundaries
  • Case management
  • Working with youth with child welfare and/or juvenile justice involvement
  • Educational rights of students experiencing homelessness
  • Fair Housing