What is possible? - Brockton Housing Authority

1 what is possible ?Working together accomplishes more for Brockton 2016 Annual Report2016 Annual Report 1 Executive Director s MessageEach year I have the privilege of writing about the great accomplishments of the men and women who work at the Brockton Housing Authority . I am continually impressed by their dedication to mission and the empathy that each of our staff, board members and resident leaders possess. I am proud of our agency and the dedicated employees that work to create neighborhoods that our residents are proud to call their this annual report we have taken time to recognize the special people and organizations who, as collaborators, allow for the rich array of services and programs that strengthen the BHA, our neighborhoods and our City. Strong partnerships require a foundation of trust and respect. We are blessed to have colleagues and associates who constantly put others before themselves, knowing that in doing this, they improve the lives of all.

2 I am struck by the energy and enthusiasm exhibited by our partners when I ask for their assistance, and their willingness to spend precious time and energy on issues of common year was not dramatically different from other years, diligence and hard work continued to allow the Brockton Housing Authority to maintain its reputation as a well-run and compassionate agency. Long days, dwindling budgets, ever increasing and changing service and capital needs are, and will, continue to be our new normal. Marcus Aurelius, an early emperor of Rome, noted; The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing . How true his words have proven to be. The pages of this year s report will highlight the accomplishments of the BHA and its partners. It may look from the outside that results came easily, yet, I assure you, each accomplishment came as the result of persistence and hard work.

3 It is for these reasons that each of us should be proud that we have accomplished so much, that we arrive at work each day with a smile on our face and optimism that we will make a difference, even if that may not have been our perceived experience from the day before. The truth is you do make a difference, each of you, with every effort and step forward you contribute to improving the lives of others. It is with this in mind that, regardless of circumstances, the Brockton Housing Authority commits to always be moving forward. That we will be ever conscious of the trust instilled in us by the community and that we will be ardent advocates of our mission, a creative and careful fiduciary of the resources entrusted to us and a strong partner of those committed to making Brockton a better place to ThibeaultThomas ThibeaultExecutive DirectorIncreasing Housing opportunities or the services we provide to our residents takes work.

4 Collaborative work. We recognize that joining together with others accomplishes more than acting alone. This is the spirit in which the BHA builds partnerships and collaborations, and we are proud to share some of the successes of those relationships in this and Collaborations2 Brockton Housing Authority2016 Annual Report 3A day in the life of a security professionalDedicated security at the BHA is handled by a four-person team plus a committed group of overnight security personnel, which emanates from a strong collaboration between the BHA and the Brockton Police Department. The team is led by Security Coordinator Jack Hill. A typical day starts at 7:30 with Jack going through reports from the night shift and prioritizing problems and complaints that the two Brockton police officers will address along with regular daily calls, patrolling and community outreach.

5 After a 2016 surveillance upgrade broadened the camera network, the team has been able to improve its visibility and target problems and hotspots. For Jack, the essence of policing is to be able to see a wrong, and taking the proper steps, be able to do something about it. Security Supervisor Julie Dos Santos Rosa works the night patrol. She joined the team in 2004 and received security training from Jack and her two Brockton police colleagues. Speaking English, Spanish, Portuguese and Portuguese Creole, she brings unique skills to the large part of her role is to know what goes on in her patrol area. It s all about communication, building trusted relationships with people who will help us identify problems. One important part of my work is writing my nightly report that informs our police officers of problems. This team is like a family that s really concerned about our city.

6 Ultimately, we re about improving the quality of life for residents. Julie Dos Santos Rosa, Jack Hill, Anthony Giardini, Jr., and Richard member Anthony Giardini, Jr. is a Brockton police officer. He affirms the need for community policing to ensure that police are approachable. We get involved, and go to the schools and various programs and meetings. Building relationships builds trust, and with trust there s a real chance to be community partners who help solve community problems. We might be arresting bad guys one day, and the next showing up at Housing court to explain a resident s situation and providing information that helps that resident stay in their apartment or help remove someone who is abusing the system. Richard Gaucher is a 31-year veteran of the Brockton Police Department and has been part of the BHA team for seven years. He says, It s rewarding to work with Asset Managers and others who know the residents needs.

7 We can help people get the services they need. For example, we have been instrumental in defusing tense situations where knowing a person s problems can help defuse the situation. That s one example where getting to know people pays off. We deal with a lot, but most people are good. Julie said, We go above and beyond to help people. That s what this team is about. Additional cameras provide the Brockton Police Department real-time remote surveillance of BHA properties. Through this partnership, we expand our crime deterrent capabilities and make the city safer for everyone. Bill Carpenter, Mayor of BrocktonFocus on a safer cityEarly in his administration, Mayor Bill Carpenter met with City department heads and other community leaders to discuss an expanded security camera presence in the City to assist law enforcement. The BHA surveillance system at that time consisted of 57 cameras that could only be accessed by the Authority , and at times, only at the site of the camera.

8 The BHA decided the time was right to investigate newer technology and expand our surveillance system in conjunction with the Mayor s initiative. Throughout 2016, working with the Brockton Police Department, the Authority migrated its system to an internet-based platform and upgraded cameras. Given access to the new system, police gained real-time visibility through a desktop computer at the police station and via mobile phones. Not only are they helpful and responsive, but during our collaboration together for over the past 22 years, Brockton Housing embraces our mission like their own - to bring hope, dignity, acceptance while creating a healthier community for those in need. Patricia Kelleher, President & CEO, Family & Community ResourcesFamily andCommunityResourcesCity of BrocktonTHE what Residents at risk of eviction due to mental health problems nowget help quickly from a licensed, in-house mental health counselor6-12 month waits for counseling and treatment were the normActing out > expensive interventions > eviction proceedings intervention cost per resident incident BEFOREWITHOUT TREATMENT+/ $12,600 THE SOLUTIONREAL HELP!

9 Via an effective licensed clinician HELP NOW! IN-HOUSE mental health/treatment counseling only a phone call awayREACH INDIVIDUALS IN NEED! Via a proactive collaborative network of BHA staff and community partners$750(eviction fee)$150$200$500$1000(evaluation)$8,000 to $10,000(4- to 5-day inpatient stay)RESULTS AUGUST 2014 FALL 2016 70 residents counseled 20 evictions & hospitalizations prevented +/- $252,000 in savings to taxpayers Reduced emotional, financial & legal stress Improved quality of residents lives GOING FORWARD, WE RE ANTICIPATING: Growing demand Adding a second clinician Counseling +/- 30 individuals/week, 1500/year Fewer evictions & hospitalizations Improved quality of residents lives Reduced emotional, financial & legal stress Greater savings for taxpayers 4 Brockton Housing Authority2016 Annual Report 5 Innovative program helps enable mental wellness for residentsThe BHA was faced with the problem of residents who were at risk of eviction because of unaddressed mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

10 The BHA reached out to its partners to create an innovative solution. Working with BAMSI and its Whitman Counseling Center, we established the BHA Clinical Outreach Program (BHACOP), an in-house licensed mental health program, located within a BHA development. Director of Resident Services Fred Welsh, who was instrumental in developing the program, said, We recognized the need to avert mental health crises, and decided that proactive and local clinical help would yield the best results. BHACOP started as a pilot program with initial funding and office space in the Campello High Rise provided by the BHA. The clinician, Basile Bazina, worked in concert with BHA Service Coordinators and Asset Managers, mental health professionals, social service professionals and other partners. Mr. Bazina provides counseling to residents at risk that helps them maintain residency avoiding the high economic and social costs of eviction.