Public Service Clinics Topics

Rising Out of the Shadows (ROOTS) #1

Agency/Program Overview

Rising Out of the Shadows (ROOTS) is a University District organization providing critical services to street-involved, homeless and other low-income persons. Its principal programs are:

• Young Adult Shelter providing emergency services 365-nights-per-year to homeless young persons between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five (over 8000 bednights per year, showers and hygiene facilities, meals and access to case management).
   
• Friday Feast meal program, providing over 10,000 restaurant-quality meals per year on site and delivered to Tent City
   
• Staffed largely by homeless volunteers.

The current paid staff of ROOTS consists of a fulltime Executive Director and Shelter Director, supported by a half-time shelter Coordinator and quarter-time Meal Coordinator. Additionally, ROOTS employs two full-time National Service workers (ReadyCorps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps), and three UW Work Study students who serve as Overnight Shelter Supervisors. Over one hundred volunteers support our shelter and meal programs.

Specific Research Question

We would like an organizational analysis of ROOTS' current programs and staffing model, with comparison among other social service agencies (both local and nationwide) doing similar work. This will include:

• An analysis of ROOTS client data to discern demographic trends and other factors that could assist in strategic planning and implementation of services.
   
• How does ROOTS' level of staffing compare with agencies doing similar work? Where are there gaps and how best can these be filled? How do ROOTS' employee policies, staff and volunteer training and support, and administrative functions compare with those of similar organizations and how can they be improved?
   
• How does service delivery at the ROOTS Young Adult Shelter compare with other homeless shelter programs for young people? What supportive services should ROOTS seek to integrate into its shelter program? How does the level of paid and volunteer staff in ROOTS' shelter compare with similar programs?
   
• What are some strategies and procedures that ROOTS could employ to improve staff management and program delivery? What factors are necessary for these strategies and procedures to be successful?
  

Key Steps

1. Interviews with agency staff and community stakeholders
2. Analysis of ROOTS' client database
3. Interviews with representatives of other social service agencies and perusal of their program literature (brochures, annual reports, etc.)
4. Brief review of secondary research literature pertinent to the study.
5. Write final report.

Additional Research Resources

Data sources: program documents, procedural manuals, interviews with staff, clients, board members and other stakeholders, and secondary research literature.

If you have questions about this topic or would like additional information, please contact Sinan Demirel at sinan@rootsinfo.org.