Nonprofit Emergency Shelter Intake and Services

Emergency shelter intake requires balancing urgency with thorough documentation and safety assessment. This checklist ensures compliance with HUD CoC requirements, HMIS documentation, and trauma-informed service delivery.

  • Industry: Nonprofit
  • Frequency: Per intake
  • Estimated Time: 45-90 minutes
  • Role: Case Manager / Shelter Coordinator
  • Total Items: 26

Coordinated Entry Compliance

Verify coordinated entry compliance.

  • Client referred through Coordinated Entry System if required by CoC?
  • VI-SPDAT or local vulnerability assessment completed?
  • HMIS checked for existing client record before new record created?
  • Prioritization criteria applied per CoC written standards?

HMIS Documentation

Complete HMIS documentation.

  • HMIS release of information consent obtained (or refusal documented)?
  • Client enrolled in HMIS with all required universal data elements?
  • Program entry date and shelter type recorded in HMIS?
  • Prior living situation documented per HUD standards?

Safety Assessment

Complete safety assessment.

  • Safety assessment conducted for domestic violence, trafficking, or immediate danger?
  • VAWA protections and confidentiality explained to applicable clients?
  • Intake search for weapons conducted per shelter policy?
  • Any active restraining orders or no-contact situations identified?
  • Shelter substance use policy explained and client sobriety assessed?

Health and Medical

Address health and medical needs.

  • Immediate medical needs identified and addressed?
  • Prescription medication management assessed and plan in place?
  • Health insurance coverage verified and enrollment assistance offered?
  • Mental health and substance use service needs identified?

Services and Housing Planning

Develop services and housing plan.

  • Housing goal identified and housing plan initiated?
  • Income and benefits situation assessed and referrals made?
  • Case manager assigned for housing-focused case management?
  • Immediate needs (food, clothing, ID) identified and addressed?

Shelter Rules and Orientation

Complete shelter orientation.

  • Shelter rules, expectations, and grievance process explained?
  • Client rights explained including right to file complaint?
  • Bed assignment and storage space provided?
  • Meal schedule and hygiene facility access explained?
  • Discharge planning and maximum length of stay explained?

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Why Use This Nonprofit Emergency Shelter Intake and Services?

This nonprofit emergency shelter intake and services helps nonprofit teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for case manager / shelter coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 26 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Nonprofit Emergency Shelter Intake and Services cover?

This checklist covers 26 inspection items across 6 sections: Coordinated Entry Compliance, HMIS Documentation, Safety Assessment, Health and Medical, Services and Housing Planning, Shelter Rules and Orientation. It is designed for nonprofit operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per intake. Each completion takes approximately 45-90 minutes.

Who should use this Nonprofit Emergency Shelter Intake and Services?

This checklist is designed for Case Manager / Shelter Coordinator professionals in the nonprofit industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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