Executive Summary
This proposal requests funding exceeding $1,000,000 to establish a Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program that delivers Medi-Cal-reimbursable services directly to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the City of Visalia. The program is designed to meet critical gaps in service access by bringing high-quality, coordinated support directly into the community where unsheltered individuals reside.
The program mirrors and expands upon the core functions of the Local Initiatives Navigation Center (LINC), offering mobile, in-community access to navigation, benefits enrollment, care coordination, and service linkage. Operating 7 days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the program ensures predictable, continuous availability—removing the barriers of limited hours, transportation challenges, and mistrust associated with fixed-site services.
Key program features include:
• Comprehensive intake and assessment for individuals experiencing homelessness
• Benefits navigation, including Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and SSI/SSDI enrollment
• Coordinated Entry System (CES) support and housing navigation (without providing housing)
• Enhanced Care Management (ECM) case coordination aligned with CalAIM requirements
• Linkage to physical health, behavioral health, and substance use services
• Peer support and follow-up engagement to stabilize clients and reduce emergency service utilization
By delivering services directly into neighborhoods with high concentrations of homelessness, the program promotes equitable access, improves engagement and enrollment in critical supports, and enhances measurable health, social, and housing outcomes for one of Visalia’s most vulnerable populations.
The program is fully aligned with City of Visalia strategic priorities, including:
• Addressing homelessness through accessible, community-based services
• Improving public health and safety by reducing emergency system reliance
• Leveraging City funds to attract Medi-Cal reimbursements and county partnerships
• Advancing equity by meeting individuals where they are
• Promoting community quality of life through proactive, compassionate engagement
This initiative represents a strategic, fiscally responsible investment that maximizes public resources, strengthens service delivery systems, and advances measurable, sustainable outcomes for both individuals experiencing homelessness and the broader Visalia community.
Statement of Need
Individuals experiencing homelessness in Visalia face persistent and multifaceted barriers to accessing critical social, medical, and behavioral health services. Despite the presence of existing navigation centers and service providers, many individuals remain chronically unsheltered due to structural, logistical, and personal barriers, including:
• Limited operating hours at brick-and-mortar navigation sites: Many existing service centers are only open a few hours per day, often during standard business hours, which limits accessibility for individuals who are unsheltered or have irregular schedules.
• Transportation challenges: A significant portion of Visalia’s unsheltered population lacks reliable transportation, making it difficult or impossible to reach fixed-site services. Mobility limitations, physical disabilities, or the need to transport belongings further exacerbate these challenges.
• Physical, behavioral health, and cognitive barriers: Individuals experiencing homelessness frequently contend with chronic health conditions, mental illness, substance use disorders, and cognitive or developmental disabilities. These challenges make navigating complex service systems difficult and reduce engagement without tailored, supportive outreach.
• Distrust of institutional settings: Many unsheltered individuals have experienced trauma, systemic discrimination, or previous negative interactions with social service and healthcare systems. This distrust reduces willingness to access services in traditional, centralized locations.
Local context highlights the urgency: Visalia, like many mid-sized cities in California’s Central Valley, has seen a rise in unsheltered homelessness, including individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and high-utilizers of emergency services. Many of these individuals cycle repeatedly through emergency departments, law enforcement encounters, and temporary shelters without consistent connection to ongoing care, resulting in higher costs to public systems and poorer health outcomes.
Evidence-based rationale: Research demonstrates that mobile, street-based engagement models improve service uptake and outcomes by meeting individuals where they are. Mobile programs consistently achieve:
• Higher enrollment in benefits and public assistance programs
• Improved continuity of medical and behavioral health care
• Increased engagement with housing navigation and supportive services
• Reduced reliance on emergency services and crisis systems
Response to need: This proposal directly addresses these challenges by deploying consistent, predictable, and professional mobile outreach services into the community, offering CalAIM-aligned, Medi-Cal-reimbursable navigation, benefits, and care coordination services. By bringing services to individuals in their environments, the program removes traditional access barriers, fosters trust, and creates pathways to stability, health, and housing for Visalia’s most vulnerable populations.
Program Description
Program Model
The Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program is a fully staffed and equipped mobile service delivery model that operates as a roving hub for navigation, intake, and care coordination. The program is designed to bring critical services directly into the community, meeting unsheltered individuals where they reside rather than requiring travel to fixed-site locations.
The mobile model is staffed with clinical and non-clinical personnel, including case managers, navigators, peer support specialists, and a data and compliance manager. Mobile units are fully equipped with technology, private intake spaces, and outreach supplies to ensure safe, confidential, and efficient service delivery. By providing predictable, daily coverage from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days per week, the program ensures consistent engagement and accessibility.
Core Services
The program mirrors and expands upon the core functions of the Local Initiatives Navigation Center (LINC), offering the following services:
1. Intake and Comprehensive Assessment
o Conducts initial screening and evaluation to determine immediate needs, eligibility for public benefits, and health and social risk factors.
o Employs trauma-informed approaches to establish trust and encourage engagement.
2. Benefits Navigation
o Assists clients in applying for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI/SSDI, and other public assistance programs.
o Provides ongoing follow-up to ensure successful enrollment and renewal.
3. Identification and Documentation Support
o Facilitates access to legal identification, social security documents, and other records necessary for benefits, healthcare, and housing.
4. Coordinated Entry System (CES) Enrollment and Updates
o Ensures clients are enrolled in the CES database and maintains updated profiles to streamline housing and service placements.
5. Housing Navigation and Referrals (Without Housing Provision)
o Provides guidance, education, and referrals to housing resources, shelters, transitional programs, and rental assistance programs.
o Supports tenancy readiness through goal planning, financial literacy, and connection to supportive services.
6. Enhanced Care Management (ECM)–Aligned Case Management
o Delivers CalAIM-compliant case management, including comprehensive care planning, coordination across systems, and advocacy for high-need individuals.
o Collaborates with Medi-Cal providers, mental health services, and substance use programs to ensure contextual care.
7. Linkage to Behavioral Health, Medical, and Substance Use Services
o Facilitates appointments, transportation, and follow-up for medical, mental health, and substance use treatment.
o Works with local clinics and providers to close gaps in service access.
8. Follow-Up Care Coordination and Engagement
o Maintains ongoing contact to support continuity of care, adherence to treatment plans, and timely referrals.
o Uses peer specialists to build trust, encourage program participation, and reduce attrition.
9. Crisis Prevention and Service Stabilization Support
o Provides immediate intervention and resource linkage for individuals at risk of acute crises.
o Helps stabilize clients in the community, reducing reliance on emergency services, hospitalizations, and law enforcement involvement.
Program Impact and Alignment
By deploying predictable, professional, and mobile services, the program addresses structural and personal barriers that prevent unsheltered individuals from accessing care. The model is fully aligned with CalAIM requirements and City of Visalia strategic goals, emphasizing:
• Equitable access to benefits and supportive services
• Reduced emergency service utilization and public system costs
• Improved health, social, and housing outcomes
• Data-driven performance monitoring and accountability
• Integration with existing city, county, and nonprofit resources
This mobile approach ensures that services are client-centered, responsive, and outcomes-oriented, while maximizing the City’s investment through sustainable, reimbursable care coordination aligned with state and federal standards.
Program Goals & Objectives
Goal 1: Increase Access to Homeless Navigation and Support Services
Objective 1.1: Provide mobile outreach and intake services 7 days per week, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., serving at least 250 unique individuals per year.
Objective 1.2: Reduce barriers to service by bringing benefits navigation, care coordination, and referral services directly into neighborhoods with high concentrations of unsheltered individuals.
Objective 1.3: Ensure at least 80% of outreach contacts result in active engagement, defined as completing intake or benefit enrollment steps.
Goal 2: Facilitate Benefits Enrollment and Resource Access
Objective 2.1: Enroll a minimum of 150 individuals annually in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI/SSDI, or other public assistance programs.
Objective 2.2: Support clients in obtaining legal identification and critical documentation necessary to access healthcare, benefits, and housing.
Objective 2.3: Ensure 90% of enrolled clients maintain active benefits through follow-up assistance and renewal support.
Goal 3: Deliver CalAIM-Aligned Enhanced Care Management
Objective 3.1: Provide ECM-aligned case management to at least 100 high-need individuals per year, including development of comprehensive care plans, system coordination, and follow-up.
Objective 3.2: Link clients to physical, behavioral, and substance use services, with at least 75% of clients attending scheduled appointments or receiving necessary follow-up interventions.
Objective 3.3: Use peer specialists and trauma-informed approaches to foster engagement, with measurable increases in trust and participation over baseline engagement metrics.
Goal 4: Promote Housing Navigation and Stability
Objective 4.1: Provide housing navigation support to at least 100 clients annually, including referrals to shelters, transitional programs, and permanent housing resources.
Objective 4.2: Assist clients in achieving housing readiness milestones, including financial literacy, goal planning, and tenancy education.
Objective 4.3: Reduce client reliance on emergency shelters and crisis services by at least 25% among program participants, measured through HMIS and coordination with local providers.
Goal 5: Enhance Community Health, Safety, and System Efficiency
Objective 5.1: Reduce utilization of emergency departments, police intervention, and crisis response systems by program participants by 20%, leveraging mobile engagement and proactive case management.
Objective 5.2: Track client outcomes using HMIS and program-specific metrics, with quarterly reporting to the City of Visalia.
Objective 5.3: Align program operations with City strategic goals, CalAIM requirements, and Medi-Cal reimbursement standards to ensure sustainable, accountable, and high-impact service delivery.
Performance Measurement & Evaluation
• HMIS Tracking: Enrollment, benefits received, appointments attended, and housing navigation outcomes.
• Outcome Metrics: Engagement rates, benefits retention, ECM case completion, emergency service reduction, and client satisfaction.
• Reporting: Quarterly and annual reports to the City, including data-driven insights, program adjustments, and financial accountability.
CalAIM & Medi-Cal Alignment
This program is intentionally designed to align with California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) priorities, particularly:
Enhanced Care Management (ECM) – Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Program services support ECM core requirements, including:
• Comprehensive assessment and care planning
• Care coordination across medical, behavioral health, and social services
• Health system navigation and appointment coordination
• Advocacy and member support
• Transitional care and follow-up
• Linkages to Community Supports (including housing navigation)
Community Supports – Alignment
While not providing housing, the program supports CalAIM Community Supports through:
• Housing navigation and tenancy readiness assistance
• Recuperative care referrals
• Coordination with managed care plans and county partners
Strategic Value to the City
City investment enables:
• Leveraging Medi-Cal reimbursement revenue
• Reducing reliance on emergency services
• Improving outcomes for high-utilizer populations
• Strengthening Visalia’s integration with county and healthcare systems
• Predictable service schedule with rotating deployment zones
Budget Narrative
Overview
The proposed budget of $1,430,000 supports the full implementation and annual operation of a 7-day-per-week Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program serving individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the City of Visalia. The budget is designed to ensure consistent service delivery, regulatory compliance, staff retention, fiscal accountability, and measurable outcomes, while maximizing the City’s return on investment through alignment with Medi-Cal and county systems.
A. Mobile Equipment & Capital Costs — $271,000 Mobile equipment and capital investments are essential to the program’s service delivery model, which brings navigation and care coordination services directly into the community. Two fully equipped mobile outreach vehicles are required to ensure uninterrupted operations, allow simultaneous deployment to multiple service areas, and provide redundancy in the event of vehicle maintenance or repair.
Vehicle modifications and interiors will create confidential, functional workspaces for client intake, documentation, and engagement. Branding and visibility promote program legitimacy, community awareness, and coordination with City departments and service partners.
Technology investments—including laptops, tablets, mobile Wi-Fi, printers, scanners, and communication equipment—are required to support real-time enrollment, benefits applications, Coordinated Entry participation, HMIS documentation, and CalAIM-compliant data reporting. Safety and outreach equipment ensures staff safety during field-based operations and supports effective engagement with unsheltered individuals.
These capital costs are foundational to delivering accessible, professional, and compliant mobile services.
B. Program Personnel — $775,000 Personnel costs represent the core investment in service delivery and are necessary to operate the program 7 days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The staffing plan includes:
• Program Director (1.0 FTE) to oversee daily operations, staff supervision, and coordination with City and County partners.
• Clinical Lead / ECM Supervisor (1.0 FTE) to ensure CalAIM-aligned Enhanced Care Management standards, clinical oversight, and documentation compliance.
• Senior Case Managers (2.0 FTE) to provide intensive case management, care planning, and system coordination.
• Homeless Navigators (4.0 FTE) to conduct outreach, intake, benefits navigation, and follow-up engagement.
• Peer Support Specialists (2.0 FTE) to provide lived-experience engagement, trust-building, and client advocacy.
• Data & Compliance Manager (1.0 FTE) to oversee HMIS participation, CalAIM documentation, data quality, and reporting.
• Administrative Support (1.0 FTE) to manage scheduling, records, and administrative coordination.
Salaries are budgeted at $620,000, with an additional $155,000 allocated for payroll taxes and benefits (approximately 25%) to ensure staff retention, stability, and continuity of care. This staffing structure supports high-volume service delivery while meeting regulatory and documentation requirements.
C. Executive Leadership & Governance — $250,000 (25% Executive leadership costs represent 25% of the total budget and support organizational governance, fiscal stewardship, compliance, and long-term sustainability. Allocations reflect proportional time dedicated to this program:
• Chief Executive Officer (10% – $100,000): Provides strategic leadership, City and County coordination, and partnership development.
• Chief Financial Officer (7% – $70,000): Oversees financial management, internal controls, audits, and fiscal reporting.
• Secretary (5% – $50,000): Ensures governance compliance, recordkeeping, and regulatory documentation.
• Member at Large (3% – $30,000): Provides community accountability, policy guidance, and stakeholder engagement.
This leadership structure safeguards public investment by ensuring strong oversight, compliance with City requirements, and alignment with funding and sustainability strategies.
D. Operating Expenses — $104,000 Operating expenses support the day-to-day functioning of the mobile program and ensure safe, reliable, and compliant service delivery. Costs include fuel and vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage, HMIS and CalAIM data systems, cell and data plans, outreach and client assistance supplies, and staff training and certification.
These expenses are necessary to maintain uninterrupted operations, support staff effectiveness, and ensure compliance with reporting and privacy standards.
E. Administrative & Compliance Costs — $30,000 Administrative and compliance costs support financial accountability and performance monitoring. Funds are allocated for accounting and audit services, legal and compliance support, and program evaluation and reporting. These costs ensure adherence to City of Visalia contracting requirements, transparency in the use of public funds, and continuous quality improvement.
Conclusion
This budget is reasonable, necessary, and directly aligned with the program’s goals of expanding access to homeless navigation services, improving health and social outcomes, and leveraging City funding to support CalAIM-aligned systems of care. The proposed investment ensures accountability, sustainability, and measurable impact for the City of Visalia.
Sustainability Plan
City funding will serve as anchor funding, providing the critical support necessary to launch and maintain the Expanded Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program. This initial investment establishes the infrastructure, staffing, and operational capacity required for long-term sustainability and scalable impact. The sustainability strategy includes multiple complementary funding and operational approaches:
1. Medi-Cal Billing and Managed Care Partnerships
o The program will leverage Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports billing through Medi-Cal managed care partnerships, generating reimbursable revenue for eligible services.
o CalAIM-aligned documentation, staff credentialing, and data systems will ensure compliance and maximize reimbursement potential, creating a reliable revenue stream tied directly to service delivery.
2. County and State Contract Pursuit
o The program will actively pursue contracts with Tulare County and State of California programs that fund homelessness navigation, crisis intervention, and care coordination services.
o Alignment with County priorities (housing navigation, health equity, diversion from emergency services) increases eligibility for competitive funding opportunities.
3. Philanthropic and Foundation Support
o The program will cultivate partnerships with local and national foundations and private philanthropic organizations that support innovative homelessness interventions, public health, and community engagement.
o Seed funding from City support enhances credibility and demonstrates measurable outcomes, improving chances for multi-year grants.
4. Operational Sustainability and Scalability
o Program operations are designed to scale efficiently, with mobile units, staffing structures, and technology systems that can expand service coverage without proportionally increasing overhead.
o Cross-training of staff, integration with existing City and County service systems, and robust data reporting will support ongoing efficiency and sustainability.
o Executive leadership will continuously evaluate program metrics, revenue streams, and partnership opportunities to adjust the funding mix, ensuring long-term viability even if individual funding sources fluctuate.
5. Outcome-Driven Approach
o Sustained funding will be tied to measurable outcomes—including benefits enrollment, client engagement, reduced emergency system utilization, and housing navigation progress—which enhances accountability and appeals to both public and private funders.
By combining City funding with Medi-Cal reimbursements, County and State contracts, and philanthropic support, the program is positioned for long-term operational and financial sustainability, while maintaining high-quality, CalAIM-compliant services that directly benefit Visalia’s unsheltered population.
Conclusion
The Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program represents a high-impact, innovative, and fiscally responsible investment for the City of Visalia. By delivering services directly into neighborhoods where unsheltered individuals reside, the program removes critical access barriers, builds trust, and ensures that vulnerable residents receive timely, coordinated, and holistic care.
The program is fully aligned with California’s healthcare transformation framework, including CalAIM, Enhanced Care Management, and Medi-Cal reimbursement structures. It leverages City funding as anchor support while establishing sustainable revenue streams through managed care partnerships, county and state contracts, and philanthropic collaboration. This multi-pronged approach ensures the program’s long-term viability and scalability.
Through this initiative, the City will achieve:
• Improved health, behavioral health, and social outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness
• Increased benefits enrollment and service utilization, leading to greater stability and self-sufficiency
• Reduced reliance on emergency systems, including hospitals, shelters, and law enforcement, generating cost savings for public systems
• Stronger community cohesion and public safety, as vulnerable residents are engaged in supportive, structured programs rather than remaining on the streets
By integrating evidence-based mobile outreach, CalAIM-aligned care coordination, and proactive engagement strategies, this program positions Visalia as a leader in innovative, community-centered homelessness interventions. Investing in this program is not only a strategic allocation of public funds but also a meaningful step toward building a healthier, safer, and more equitable community for all residents.
Attachment A: One-Page Budget Justification
Budget Justification Summary
The total requested budget of $1,430,000 supports a 7-day-per-week, citywide Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program that delivers consistent, high-quality services directly into the community. Costs are structured to ensure operational sustainability, regulatory compliance, staff retention, and measurable outcomes, while maximizing leverage of healthcare and county funding.
Capital & Mobile Infrastructure – $271,000
Mobile service delivery requires specialized vehicles and equipment to ensure safe, confidential, and efficient operations. Two fully equipped mobile units allow for simultaneous deployment across multiple high-need areas, reduce service disruption, and increase daily engagement capacity. Technology investments (laptops, secure Wi-Fi, mobile printing) are required for real-time enrollment, documentation, and compliance with HMIS and CalAIM reporting standards.
Program Personnel – $775,000
Personnel costs represent the core of service delivery. Staffing levels are calibrated to provide continuous coverage 7 days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while preventing burnout and ensuring continuity of care. Positions include case managers, navigators, peer specialists, and compliance staff necessary to meet City, County, and Medi-Cal documentation requirements. Benefits and payroll costs are included to ensure staff retention and program stability.
Executive Leadership & Governance – $250,000 (25%)
Executive leadership funding supports organizational oversight, fiscal stewardship, compliance, and sustainability. Leadership roles are budgeted proportionally and reflect time dedicated to this program:
• CEO (10%): Strategic direction, city and county partnerships
• CFO (7%): Fiscal controls, audits, financial reporting
• Secretary (5%): Governance, records, compliance
• Member at Large (3%): Community accountability and policy guidance
This structure ensures strong governance and protects City investment.
Operations & Administration – $134,000
Operating and administrative costs support insurance, training, data systems, fuel, maintenance, and reporting. These expenses are essential for safe operations, regulatory compliance, and transparent performance reporting to the City of Visalia.
Attachment B: Risk Mitigation & Compliance Plan
Risk Mitigation Strategy
The Mobile Homeless Navigation & Support Program incorporates proactive risk mitigation strategies to ensure fiscal integrity, public safety, and service continuity.
Operational Risk
• Dual-vehicle deployment minimizes service interruption
• Cross-trained staff ensure continuity during absences
• Predictable deployment schedules reduce community disruption
Financial Risk
• Segregation of duties between program operations and finance
• Monthly internal financial reviews
• Annual independent audit
• Conservative budgeting with contingency capacity
Staffing & Safety Risk
• Trauma-informed and de-escalation training for all staff
• Clear safety protocols for field engagement
• Two-staff minimum for community outreach
• Insurance coverage for vehicles, liability, and professional services
Compliance Framework
The program will comply with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements, including:
• HMIS participation and data quality standards
• City of Visalia contract and reporting requirements
• CalAIM / Medi-Cal documentation and privacy standards
• HIPAA and client confidentiality requirements
• Nondiscrimination and equity standards
• Workplace safety and labor compliance
A dedicated Data & Compliance Manager will oversee reporting, data integrity, and performance monitoring. Quarterly compliance reviews and corrective action plans will be implemented as needed.
Attachment C: Alignment with City of Visalia Goals & Council Priorities
Alignment with City of Visalia Strategic Priorities
The proposed program directly advances key City of Visalia priorities commonly articulated in Council goals, Housing & Community Development plans, and public safety strategies:
1. Addressing Homelessness Through Access & Engagement
• Expands access beyond limited-hour, fixed-site services
• Reaches unsheltered individuals who are least likely to engage
• Supports coordinated entry and system navigation
2. Improving Public Health & Safety
• Reduces reliance on emergency services
• Connects high-need individuals to healthcare and behavioral health
• Stabilizes vulnerable populations through consistent engagement
3. Efficient Use of Public Funds
• Leverages City funding to unlock Medi-Cal and county revenue
• Prevents duplication of services by complementing existing programs
• Emphasizes outcomes, data tracking, and accountability
4. Equity & Inclusion
• Delivers services directly into underserved areas
• Removes transportation and access barriers
• Uses peer support and culturally responsive engagement
5. Community Quality of Life
• Supports humane, proactive responses to homelessness
• Reduces visible crisis situations through early intervention
• Strengthens collaboration between City departments and service providers
Conclusion
This Mobile Homeless Navigation & CalAIM-Aligned Support Program represents a strategic, compliant, and fiscally responsible investment that aligns with the City of Visalia’s priorities while delivering measurable outcomes. The expanded budget ensures sustainability, accountability, and maximum return on public investment.