The Stewpot welcomes change in the wake of COVID-19
BY KRISTIN MERRON | May 22, 2020While The Stewpot was founded on Meal Services back in 1975, in more recent years, Stewpot Client Services has grown to become a primary function of The Stewpot, comprising much of the work our clients have come to depend on. ID services are vital to the homeless population because without valid identification it becomes practically impossible to apply for a job, apply for housing, receive SNAP food assistance, and much more. Since the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) closed its offices on March 19, 2020 in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the team in Stewpot Client Services has had to deal with some major hurdles.
“DPS being closed has severely impacted our ability to offer ID services in the usual way
— Laura Westerlage, Director of Client Services
“DPS being closed has severely impacted our ability to offer ID services in the usual way,” says Laura Westerlage, Director of Client Services at The Stewpot. “Many clients come to us with no form of identification whatsoever, and typically the first step is to send them to Parkland Hospital in order to obtain a certified medical record which can then be taken to the Social Security office. With COVID-19, sending clients to the hospital is currently not the safest option, so we get stuck at the very first step,” she explains.
While the DPS and Social Security office continue to offer online renewals and replacements for IDs, only a small portion of the clients The Stewpot serves fit those requirements. “We are doing whatever we can to work with clients but some limitations are leaving our folks as sitting ducks for the time being. There are just certain things we cannot do without full access to these vital document offices.”
“As specialists in ID and birth certificate services, we’ve been receiving a lot of calls from partner agencies asking us how to get the ID and/or birth certificate process started for folks to help them move towards housing more quickly.
— Laura Westerlage, Director of Client Services
While the situation is frustrating for all involved, the pandemic has sparked a surge in The Stewpot’s interactions with a number of partner agencies. “As specialists in ID and birth certificate services, we’ve been receiving a lot of calls from partner agencies asking us how to get the ID and/or birth certificate process started for folks to help them move towards housing more quickly.” While many folks are locked down in shelters, caseworkers from a number of different agencies have begun making phone appointments with The Stewpot in order to work with folks remotely who can’t come to meet for a physical appointment at this time. “We’ve been leveraging our relationships over the phone, typically holding conversations with 8-10 clients per day. Shelters that don’t offer ID or birth certificate services need our help, so we’re offering these agencies an opportunity to make a phone appointment with their caseworkers and a client, where a Stewpot caseworker can walk them through the process. For the time being, almost all of our ID services are happening through shelter referrals.”
Stewpot Client Services continues to operate on a limited schedule providing access to the Community Ministries building located on the corner of Park Avenue and Young Street on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for select hours so clients can access their mail. “If a returning client who was working with a caseworker prior to the COVID-19 changes comes in with questions about their ID or birth certificate status, we can assist them in answering any questions they have, offering guidance and providing updates on the status of their documents. We also continue to issue Stewpot IDs for those who need a simple form of photo identification. Sometimes we have to tell them, ‘we can start the process but we can only go so far for now,’” explains Westerlage.
The Stewpot’s Representative Payee Program is one program that has been able to continue with minimal changes. The Manager of Representative Payee Services Courtney Ray-Riddle, who oversees the program, continues to maintain connections with clients and ensure uninterrupted distribution of benefits and management of budgets. Minor shifts include the adjustment of appointment times to limit in-person contact and utilizing phone appointments and mail when it makes sense.
An area that has seen growth recently is The Stewpot’s counseling program. “We’ve shifted to remote counseling and the program is busier than ever,” says Mishaal Riaz, M.A., LPC-Intern, and Manager of Counseling Services at The Stewpot. Recent expansion includes widening outreach to assist not just clients of The Stewpot, but also those who have no insurance or access to low cost counseling, by providing free sessions through a secure telehealth platform. The Stewpot counseling program has also developed a partnership with CitySquare to assist victims of domestic violence and provide virtual group therapy sessions, which has led to Stewpot counselors carrying a full caseload.
The Stewpot maintains in providing mail pick up weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. “We have a lot of mail right now that requires sorting and storage because folks are sheltering in place and are not able to come pick up their mail. We are currently holding mail for folks but are running out of space so it has been a huge help to coordinate with shelters –who have provided a list of names of clients asking about their mail –so we can pull it and have it delivered to the shelter,” says Westerlage. This has also required a change to The Stewpot’s package policy. Due to limited storage, The Stewpot can no longer accept client packages unless they are required medical prescriptions. During operating hours, The Stewpot continues to offer access to clean restrooms in a safe environment with police officers present. Other service modifications have been implemented to encourage the practice of social-distancing with stickers placed on the floors, chairs spaced out at least 6 feet from one another, and access to the day room limited to 20 occupants or less at a time. While hygiene distribution is temporarily suspended, The Stewpot has packaged and delivered hygiene packs to folks who are currently staying at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson temporary relief shelter at the convention center.
“I’ve experienced more tears from clients in the past couple of months than I have here ever at The Stewpot.
— Laura Westerlage, Director of Client Services
With aid limited in certain sectors like ID/birth certificate services, The Stewpot has been able to redeploy staff to launch new initiatives in direct response to the present emergency. Funds are currently being designated to offer families up to three months of rental and utility assistance so that they can continue to stay housed, with a goal of helping 50 families to avoid falling into homelessness in 2020. “I’m excited to be able to offer this type of assistance now, which has been requested for so long,” says Westerlage. “We’re currently assisting about 20 households, including a portion from our Family Stabilization program as well as referrals from outside agencies. We communicate with them on a regular basis and assist in paying bills over the phone or online using a credit card. Working one-to-one with these families has allowed us to assist in other ways as well, like pulling clothing and other necessity items from our clothing closet while it remains closed to the public at this time.” Westerlage went on to say she feels privileged to be of service to those “directly affected by COVID-19. I’ve met families who have a partner that lost job, have had work hours reduced, and those who are currently experiencing childcare issues, with no alternative so they have to stay home with kids. Some are undocumented so they don’t have access to certain benefits and they’re understandably scared to ask for assistance. These are folks who – if they don’t pay the bills –they fall into homelessness. I’ve experienced more tears from clients in the past couple of months than I have here ever at The Stewpot.”
“We’re learning about ways to collaborate more with partners to make our processes more efficient and we’re now looking at how The Stewpot can provide access to housing through the Continuum of Care
— Laura Westerlage, Director of Client Services
When asked about ways The Stewpot is continuing to adapt in the wake of COVID-19, Laura replied, “What this has done is helped people across The Stewpot see what we’re doing that has the most impact versus what’s the biggest need. We’re learning about ways to collaborate more with partners to make our processes more efficient and we’re now looking at how The Stewpot can provide access to housing through the Continuum of Care, assisting clients in filling out a lengthy questionnaire that will allow them to get on the housing priority list.”
While the Parkland clinics at The Stewpot remain closed for the time being, The Stewpot continues to receive requests from clients seeking medical and dental services. The Stewpot remains in constant communication with its Parkland partners in regards to this rapidly changing situation while the health and safety of Stewpot clients and staff remain of paramount importance. Once new safety protocols are established, and a time is identified to safely do so, clients will be notified of openings and service offerings as the situation evolves.
“Everyone is slowly getting back into the groove of things. Our spirits are better than they were a month ago,” says Westerlage, “We’re blessed to have an amazing team who continues to put in the time and hard work and roll with the changes. I’m inspired by the flexibility The Stewpot and First Presbyterian Church of Dallas have shown in the face of sweeping irregularity.”