This line of work incorporates access to income into Chicago’s homeless response system from the front door through housing. Activities include SOAR, specialized employment, and the public workforce system into the homeless response system, as well as developing an employer engagement strategy.
Contact Jennifer Miller-Rehfeldt with questions about this line of work.
Employment and Income Task Force
This group increases meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities for people experiencing or most at risk of homelessness.
Who Should Join: Anyone with an interest in employment is welcome to attend.
Meeting Details: The Employment and Income Task Force meets remotely on the second Friday of each month. Contact Jennifer Miller-Rehfeldt for more information.
SOAR
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is an evidence-based method of assisting people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to apply for Social Security Disability benefits (SSI/SSDI). SOAR helps communities increase access to disability benefits by providing a streamlined process to complete applications and communicating critical knowledge about SSI/SSDI.
Meeting Details: The SOAR Steering Committee meets biannually. Workgroups meet quarterly. Contact Cristine McDowell for further details.
For New Providers
SOAR Online Course
Interested in learning more and getting trained in the SOAR process? You can complete this free SOAR Online Course. The course generally takes about 20 hours to complete, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) will provide 20 CEUs to service providers who successfully complete the course.
SOAR Trainings in All Chicago Training Portal
All Chicago periodically provides SOAR-focused trainings. Please check the All Chicago Training Portal for current offerings.
For SOAR-Trained Service Providers
SOAR Local Process
Shows the Chicago-specific process for completing a SOAR application
OAT User Guide
Guide for tracking outcomes using the Online Application Tracking (OAT) system
About SOAR Meetings & Workgroups
Governance
The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss proposals and make decisions that will impact the roles or policies of how SOAR is conducted in Chicago. The objective of a governance meeting is to modify a team or circle’s structure or decision-making processes. We hope to make the SOAR process as transparent as possible for every role.
Training
The purpose of the trainings is to review subjects that attendees may want clarification on. Trainings may serve as reminders of processes for those who are new and current. Also, this will serve as a way for attendees to share their knowledge and skills with others in the group. We are interested in understanding your learning styles so that we can create more effective training materials.
Steering Committee
The purpose of our Steering Committee discussions is to recognize our progress and solve any issues. Our objective is to build stronger relationships with existing and new case managers. We want to receive all valuable feedback to improve two-way communication. In this meeting we will focus on the workplan for the next year.
Contact Cristine McDowell to participate in meetings and workgroups.
