News: Happy Anniversary!

From the Fall 2008 Newsletter

October 2008 marked the 4th anniversary of Alameda County’s Homeless and Caring Court.  And, this innovative collaboration is still going strong! Every other month, about 40 people who are homeless, recently housed or at risk of homelessness voluntarily apply to this problem solving court that holds court sessions in community-based service centers and church halls rotating through Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward. Homeless and Caring Court participants have on average 2 – 3 pending legal matters and have made significant progress in their life since receiving these minor legal charges.

Participants and their program staff prepare a comprehensive application to the Court, detailing the circumstances when the violations occurred, all the participant’s progress to date, and submitting independent verification of progress. At the Homeless Court session, participants (or litigants) are given credit for active involvement and success in shelters, recovery programs, self help programs, job training programs, successful job searches, GED or other types of educational programs, counseling, volunteer work, or housing search and acquisition.

This personal growth and progress are used in lieu of traditional fines, community service, or jail time and is tailored to each individuals’ circumstances. Resolution of cases at the Homeless/Caring Court helps the homeless individual, the courts, and local communities by removing potential barriers to social reintegration, easing court case-processing backlogs, and reducing costs to both the courts and community. For questions about Homeless and Caring Court or to become a referral agency, please contact Kathie Barkow at 510.967.5161 or kathiebarkow@earthlink.net.