Monroe makes embedded social worker official

The partnership for the embedded social worker in Monroe is officially in effect.

The Monroe City Council approved a two-year interlocal agreement between the city and the Snohomish County Human Services Department Behavioral Health Program at last week’s meeting to lock in the position.

Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer said the interest of both parties is to provide the community with social service assistance in conjunction with responses from law enforcement.

“I believe this is a cutting-edge collaboration on trying to approach this difficult issue, so I am very proud that our city is spearheading this and going for it,” said Councilmember Kevin Hanford.

Quenzer said the Snohomish County Council approved its end of the agreement on May 17, and it took effect June 1. Monroe will contribute $50,000 per year, half the cost of the position. The Behavioral Health Program will cover the remainder, he said. The position is designed as a two-year pilot program.

Quenzer confirmed for Councilmember Kirk Scarboro that the annual payment had already been budgeted.

Elisa Delgado has been at the post for more than a month. Her job is a full-time social worker embedded with the MPD and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. She spends two days each week paired up with Monroe Police Sgt. Ryan Irving.

The community support position was originally proposed as an alternative way to connect the area’s homeless with services. The agreement specifically points to people who struggle with mental illness, addiction, veteran status, housing, and medical and financial concerns.

The interlocal agreement outlines other aims, such as building a broad connection between the MPD and regional social service agencies. Another goal is to allow law enforcement to focus on criminal issues in Monroe.

Quenzer said Delgado and Irving have contacted 31 clients so far. Of those, two have “been referred to housing programs, one has gone through an assessment, one has entered into treatment, two have received health care benefits, one has obtained legal identification...” he said.

Irving only recently started tracking the number of clients he would come in contact with prior to Delgado arriving, so it is hard to say how many people on average live unsheltered in the city. He has said after a recent clean up of encampments it was hard to find some of those same clients.

According to Snohomish County’s 2017 Point in Time summary report, nearly one in nine unsheltered people surveyed said they slept in Monroe or the Sky Valley the night before the one-day count on Jan. 24; nearly one in 13 said their last permanent residence was in the area.

Delgado’s initial approach was to establish a rapport with her clients who can be temporarily or chronically displaced. 

“I think it is just meeting the clients, introducing yourself, having a conversation, and letting them know who you are, what you can do, and just being there for them,” she said previously.

Irving has said the approach of diversion is very new for Monroe. He said the interventions needed to prevent or end homeless are specific to each client. There are some skills better offered by a social service worker. The plan is to work with a client until they are ready to accept services, he said.

“This program aims to bridge the gaps between law enforcement response and the social needs of people in the community so that people are more likely to get the help and support they need, and less likely to be repeatedly contacted and/or incarcerated,” according to the agreement.

The number of unsheltered homeless people in Snohomish County jumped 9 percent in 2016, and has doubled since 2013, according to the Point in Time summary report. More than half of the unsheltered homeless surveyed this year were chronically displaced. The number of people with one or more disabling conditions has increased by 132 percent since 2013.

“Chief, I want to thank you and your department for this — this is great,” said Councilmember Patsy Cudaback, and Mayor Pro Tem that evening. “I know you’ve worked through it, and I think we are just anxious and hopeful to see some positive results. I know we’ve already seen some, so thank you for your work on it.”