CalWORKs Coordinated Entry System for Families

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The Coordinated Entry System (CES) for Families is a regionally coordinated system of care for families experiencing homelessness. This system provides rapid re-housing and ongoing case management to assist families in securing and maintaining safe, stable, permanent housing.  CES for Families operates under the direction and supervision of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).  

Eight (8) SPA-based Family Solutions Centers (FSCs) are the primary points of entry to the system.  Each FSC provides the following services: housing assessment, homelessness problem-solving, connection to crisis housing, permanent housing search and placement, financial assistance for rapid re-housing, and coordinated supportive services. 

The FSCs leverage the resources of multiple mainstream Los Angeles County programs such as Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Department of Public Health (DPH), Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), 211 LA County (211 LA), and Department of Mental Health (LACDMH). 

A full-time LACDMH or LACDMH contracted Mental Health Clinician (funded through the DPSS CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work Program) is co-located at each of the FSC sites and provides the following supportive services: 

  • Participant engagement and education 
  • Mental health screening and linkage to comprehensive mental health services in the community 
  • Brief therapeutic interventions for participants in crisis 
  • Ongoing consultation with the FSC team to address participants’ mental health barriers and needs  
  • Training for the FSC team on mental health related topics 

Learn more about the Coordinated Entry System on LAHSA’s website.

Learn more about CalWORKs Homeless Programs on DPSS’ website.

Learn more about LACDMH Housing Services and Resources.