10 May Vail Place Continues to Provide ROSS Service Coordinators
Vail Place will continue to provide two service coordinators to work directly with residents at public housing buildings via special grants awarded to the Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and the St. Louis Park Housing Authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency – Service Coordinators Program (ROSS-SC) coordinators are Katy Molinare, at Hamilton House in St. Louis Park and Patrick Wolf at Dow Towers in Hopkins.
“The ROSS-SC program is important because it supports local strategies that help connect those in need with public and private resources within their community, something we feel passionately about at Vail Place,” said Vicky Couillard, Vail Place Executive Director. “Programs like ROSS-SC that are focused on improving self-sufficiency and empowering adults with mental illness are crucial to our ongoing mission.”
Vail Place ROSS Coordinators provide free case management-type services to all residents at both locations. This may include assistance with coordination of county and federal benefit support, community resource referrals, health and wellness presentations, training for computer skills, crisis intervention and many other services. The ROSS-SC grant, via Hopkins HRA and the St. Louis Park HA, will provide funding for the coordinators over the next three years. Funding for the ROSS-SC program was first awarded in 2007. Since the initial grant period, our coordinators have served more than 400 residents in both locations. In 2015, there were 2269 visits to ROSS offices under the ROSS-SC grant.
“The St. Louis Park Housing Authority is excited to continue our partnership with Vail and the ROSS Coordinator position,” said Marney Olson, Assistant Housing Supervisor, St. Louis Park Housing Authority. “The ROSS Coordinator is a valuable asset to both residents and staff at Hamilton House. Katy and her position have helped to reduce lease violations and terminations by proactively working with residents and staff to address issues and connect residents with resources.”