The Future at the Cares Campus, Safe Camp and Daily Bagel in Question
Our reporting this week centered on Washoe County now in charge of the Nevada Cares Campus, and what that means. We had an extensive interview and podcast episode with County Commissioner Alexis Hill, now also the head of CHAB (the Community Homelessness Advisory Board).
We also received email responses about different queries we’ve had. One of our recurring questions is when exactly the safe camp Karma Box Project contract will be up for renewal, as their initial agreement was for three months, with a subsequent vague month to month continuation. The below response came from Dana Searcy, our local “Built for Zero” guide, with an email signature reading “Housing and Homeless Services | Office of the County Manager.”
“Please send all media requests through our Communications Team. … The staff report you included is still in effect as we are operating the temporary site. Construction for the long term site has begun and a competitive procurement process will be utilized to contract with a long term operator for the safe camp in time for the long term site to open…”
Earlier in the week, we got a response about other NCC-related concerns from Bethany Drysdale, from the same county office, on the communications team. “…Alternative processes are being explored related to blankets and supplies. Cots have not been deployed, however they are accessible for emergency use. Currently operating, there are 6 washers and 6 dryers. The next phase of the Cares Campus, includes a new design to expand laundry services.
In regard to case managers, the best practice is 1 case manager to 20-30 individuals. At the moment there are 9 case managers employed by VOA. Case management ratios are no more than 1:30 and for an intensive level of case management is 1:10. Please note, these is a distinction between case managers and floor staffing. Floor staffing ratios are 1:25. Staffing at the Cares Campus is Washoe County’s number one priority during this transition. VOA is currently recruiting for staff as all employers are in this current market.
Training wise, VOA provides comprehensive onboarding and training to best serve the population. With the transfer of the operation of the shelter, Washoe County is assessing the current training program and needs. The team plans to build on the training foundation already established by VOA thorough offering additional training. We have partnered with Jon DeCarmine from Gainesville, Florida, to provide training on housing focused shelter practices, nonviolent communication, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing.”
People staying at the campus and advocates trying to help them have been frustrated with the ongoing sweeps while logistics and staffing at the $17 million campus have faced early and persistent challenges. How the county will work with advocates also remains to be seen. Commissioner Hill pointed out the problem of food waste, as no surprise, when advocates show up with healthy food and friendly service, many sleeping at the mega tent shelter will drift over to that distribution and skip the regularly handed out boxed meal (with sometimes mysterious elements). Commissioner Hill did say food contracts and processes are currently being reviewed. Sadly, she pointed out over a dozen people at the safe camp are more than ready for housing, but that none is available for them despite their qualifying for different programs. It’s clear the shortage of accessible and affordable housing as well as housing programs for those with limited income remains one of the biggest problems in our region.
In our #keeprenorad series we also featured current Reno City Artist Ruby Barrientos, whose show at City Hall opened this week. Her words of advice are incredibly inspirational, not just for artists, but for all of us.
“My advice, don't worry so much about what others are going to say about your work,” Ruby told Our Town Reno. “Do your best to focus on your artistic expression. It's the best way to evolve and learn about yourself and what you're wanting to convey. Hustle your way in. If one door says no, keep finding other doors for opportunities that say yes to sharing your work. And lastly, get involved with your community, not just the art community.”
Our TikTok channel keeps humming along with our #placesofreno series which recently included an investigation into why The Daily Bagel Morrill Ave. favorite shut down. Our Instagram repost got dozens of comments, including some from “the guy who made the bagels” who is promising a return within the next few weeks.