Chad Platt Email & Phone Number

Santa Cruz, California, United States

Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness and into permanent housing.We hold firmly to a vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Santa Cruz, California, United States

Housing Matters is one of many agencies providing health and human services in Santa Cruz County. We offer housing navigation, case management, emergency shelter, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.Our many programs serve people in a variety of situations. The common thread is that all of our programs and services help people get out of homelessness and into stable housing.We believe that housing — permanent, stable, adequate housing — should come first… Show more Housing Matters is one of many agencies providing health and human services in Santa Cruz County. We offer housing navigation, case management, emergency shelter, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.Our many programs serve people in a variety of situations. The common thread is that all of our programs and services help people get out of homelessness and into stable housing.We believe that housing — permanent, stable, adequate housing — should come first and that once housed, people who’ve been unhoused can start to heal from the trauma of homelessness. Only then is it possible to address the issues that may have contributed to homelessness in the first place. Show less

Santa Clara County, California, United States

California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth-led organization that develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. Youth-led since its inception, California Youth Connection (CYC) empowers foster youth ages 14–24 to build leadership skills and forge supportive relationships while advocating for child welfare reforms that directly impact their lives. To build their skills, members receive… Show more California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth-led organization that develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. Youth-led since its inception, California Youth Connection (CYC) empowers foster youth ages 14–24 to build leadership skills and forge supportive relationships while advocating for child welfare reforms that directly impact their lives. To build their skills, members receive one-on-one support and mentoring, specialized training, and frequent opportunities to speak to policymakers, child welfare practitioners, other foster youth, and the general public.As the Regional Coordinator I provided support for foster youth (ages 14-24) led advocacy and leadership development activities in county-based chapters throughout California. Primary responsibilities included: Meeting the unique needs of each chapter through regular chapter visits, facilitating training's and one on-one preparation work, promoting leadership development, strengthening chapter processes, facilitating community and advocacy efforts, recruiting and training supporters for new and rebuilding chapters, assist youth to participate in statewide policy advocacy and leadership opportunities, and developing curriculum and training materials. The primary role of an RC is to support members in specific region of CYC’s youth-led chapters to identify local policy, practice and challenges foster youth face in their community and identify goals and strategies for transformation. Show less

San Jose, California

Bill Wilson Center supports and strengthens the community by serving youth and families through counseling, housing, education, and advocacy. BWC is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the range of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. Bill Wilson Center’s Host Home Program partners with youth & young adults experiencing housing instability to build sustainable community where youth will continue to thrive and feel… Show more Bill Wilson Center supports and strengthens the community by serving youth and families through counseling, housing, education, and advocacy. BWC is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the range of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. Bill Wilson Center’s Host Home Program partners with youth & young adults experiencing housing instability to build sustainable community where youth will continue to thrive and feel supported in a safe, welcoming, and home like environment. As The Host Home Program Coordinator I led and helped evaluate the Shared Housing Program in Santa Cruz County, Recruiting of Host Homes for transition aged youth 18-24 in need of immediate housing including LGBTQ friendly homes. Host Homes are a community-based 6 month long, independent living arrangement. The program recruited and trained adult volunteers to be Hosts, then Youth chose a volunteer Host allowing them to continue to live, attend school, and work within their home communities. Show less

Santa Cruz, Ca

Transition Age Youth Programs serve current and former foster and probation placement youth ages 15-24. We provide an array of programs and services including counseling, skills building, a drop in resource center, and subsidized supportive housing. Our mission is to support and empower youth in making a healthy transition into successful adulthood. As the Youth Mentor duties included assisting current and former foster and probation placement youth ages 15-24 in building the skills… Show more Transition Age Youth Programs serve current and former foster and probation placement youth ages 15-24. We provide an array of programs and services including counseling, skills building, a drop in resource center, and subsidized supportive housing. Our mission is to support and empower youth in making a healthy transition into successful adulthood. As the Youth Mentor duties included assisting current and former foster and probation placement youth ages 15-24 in building the skills, self-esteem, and support system necessary to make a successful transition to independent living in the community. Supporting youth to obtain jobs, register for college, enroll in vocational training, find maintain and retain housing, learn budgeting skills, money management, enhance cooking skills, and make healthy decisions and choices for their futures. Facilitating bi-weekly youth advocacy groups that strives to empower young persons public speaking abilities to train agencies that serve youth and provide a youth voice where decisions are made that effect system impacted youth. Overseeing TAY Drop Resource Center (RC) for youth 16-24 equipped with a cozy living room, kitchen, laundry facility, garden, and computer lab. Offering counseling services, leadership development, food and clothing donations, cooking workshops, and a home cooked meal. Most importantly, the Center is a safe place to go, and gain support from peers and case managers. Show less

Santa Cruz, Ca

On the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) we envision a time where all youth and young adults are safe, housed, and thriving. We know that youth homelessness is preventable and solvable, that our community can be one. We hope to shift from this mindset that youth and young adult (YYA) homelessness as an acceptable reality, to an urgent and solvable matter. Shifting from the lack of resources and community engagement, to an abundance of resources and community investment in assessing youth and young… Show more On the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) we envision a time where all youth and young adults are safe, housed, and thriving. We know that youth homelessness is preventable and solvable, that our community can be one. We hope to shift from this mindset that youth and young adult (YYA) homelessness as an acceptable reality, to an urgent and solvable matter. Shifting from the lack of resources and community engagement, to an abundance of resources and community investment in assessing youth and young adult homelessness through funding, advocacy, and volunteer work. The YAB is a HUD funded program that was awarded a 2.2 million dollar grant. Its purpose is to test new youth focused, youth driven, and effective strategies to prevent and end YYA homelessness across the county for unaccompanied, pregnant or parenting youth and young adults ages 14-25. The goal of the YAB is to support the Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP), in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending YYA homelessness, and sharing that experience with and mobilizing communities around the country toward the same mission. YAB is unique in that the voices of youth are at the forefront of the project. Youth from the foster care system, probation, and with lived experience of homelessness make up the YAB and are involved in all aspects of the project including participation on the Steering Committee, development of project criteria, and final approval of project proposals. Youth are seen as experts in the project as they can provide their own experiences and add perspective on youth needs and effective ways to work with youth. As the groups facilitator I managed logistics of the Youth Advisory Board (Prepping youth for public speaking engagements and media work, presenting at community events, training community partners, providing transportation, food, payments, materials etc) Show less

Santa Cruz Ca

As a Housing Navigator with Housing For Health (H4H) I worked with individuals that were both chronically homeless and managing co-occurring disorders to obtain and retain permanent housing in Santa Cruz County. The program engaged clients in accessing resources necessary to address barriers to housing and end homelessness. I was responsible for activities such as: linking clients to community resources; developing relationships with landlord/property managers; providing Case Management… Show more As a Housing Navigator with Housing For Health (H4H) I worked with individuals that were both chronically homeless and managing co-occurring disorders to obtain and retain permanent housing in Santa Cruz County. The program engaged clients in accessing resources necessary to address barriers to housing and end homelessness. I was responsible for activities such as: linking clients to community resources; developing relationships with landlord/property managers; providing Case Management Services for clients to maintain stable housing; conducting housing needs assessment and client-driven housing searches in neighborhoods that were a good fit, facilitating rental agreements with landlords in scattered-site apartments and ensuring clients understanding of rental agreements, housing policies and procedures. Following the Housing First model, H4H helped people get housing without the normal prerequisites of employment, sobriety, and stable mental health. This reverse approach is based on research that shows an individual’s physical and mental health improves once they have housing, making it easier for them to manage their substance abuse and find and hold a job. In order to help people improve their lives, H4H advocated for treating the whole person, rather than fragmenting crucial services such as mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and housing. Show less

Santa Cruz, California, United States

Utilizing a Housing First model, Housing For Health (H4H) provides services to 70 chronically homeless with co-occurring disorders and medical vulnerabilities to obtain permanent housing. Our team provides intensive case management to support participants to improve their health and overall wellbeing. We work with our clients to create pathways to housing along with addressing client’s medical vulnerabilities and co-occurring disorders. We can provide referrals to residential drug treatment and… Show more Utilizing a Housing First model, Housing For Health (H4H) provides services to 70 chronically homeless with co-occurring disorders and medical vulnerabilities to obtain permanent housing. Our team provides intensive case management to support participants to improve their health and overall wellbeing. We work with our clients to create pathways to housing along with addressing client’s medical vulnerabilities and co-occurring disorders. We can provide referrals to residential drug treatment and provide counseling to address substance use and mental health challenges. Our team supports clients with connecting to a primary care doctor as well as other medical professionals as needed. H4H staff will work collaboratively with each client to develop an individualized service plan that will address multiple components of the client’s life including, substance use, mental health, housing and other areas as needed. Duties Performed:· Served as the navigation lead to provide intake assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention and other mental health services as needed at the program site, in client homes, and in the community· Provided client advocacy, benefit assistance, case management and all other supported services as needed for dually diagnosed individuals experiencing chronic homelessness to obtain, and retain stable housing· Outreach to community based organizations, housing resources, and service providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities· Interviewed potential clients for purpose of screening to determine eligibility for agency services and address barriers to finding housing· Assisted clients in accessing assistance offered by community programs including assistance with security deposits, moving expenses, etc. Show less

Capitola, Ca

In my role as a Support Specialist with Harbor Supported Living I was responsible for assisting individuals with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities in their home and the community. Developing a deep understanding of psychology of autistic clients and ability to assist them in a manner best suited to their physical and mental condition. Empowering individuals to choose to live in their own homes, have jobs, develop friendships, and participate in community building… Show more In my role as a Support Specialist with Harbor Supported Living I was responsible for assisting individuals with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities in their home and the community. Developing a deep understanding of psychology of autistic clients and ability to assist them in a manner best suited to their physical and mental condition. Empowering individuals to choose to live in their own homes, have jobs, develop friendships, and participate in community building and local activities. Provide training and resources in self-advocacy, health and safety, relationships, personal finance, job training, transportation, companionship, decision making and problem solving, etc. Gained experience with conflict resolution, de-escalation, individualized therapeutic planning, understanding of associated sensory sensitivities, developing prosocial communication and interaction, medication administration, keeping precise and detailed logs of shifts, writing special incident reports, and being trained for emergency situations unique to the clients' impairment. Show less