Item 3 - VKS Program — original pdf

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VIOLET KEEPSAFE STORAGE: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS DACC Advisory Board July 18, 2025 Claire Taub Policy Intern VIOLET KEEPSAFE STORAGE OVERVIEW  Provides secure personal bins to store vital documents, family memories, clothing, bedding, and more  Program has been under DACC supervision since December 2020  Employs 8 individuals with lived experience  371 active clients  14.5 thousand check-ins from January 2025 through June 2025 IDENTIFIED AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT 1 Spatial Organization 2 Communication Systems 3 Clarity in Responsibilities and Policies SPATIAL ORGANIZATION  Identified by staff members as an improvement area  7 rooms at capacity with additional bins in hallway  Disorganized ordering of bins  Not enough bins to meet demand SPATIAL ORGANIZATION IMPROVEMENT  Transition to new bins  Easier for VKS staff members to roll  More dignified storage option for program participants  Smaller bin footprint increases program capacity  Anticipated increase from 350 clients to 500 clients  Alphanumeric numbering system to indicate exact bin location  As, Bs, Cs, Ds in different sections of the building COMMUNICATION IMPROVEMENT Between Shifts  Wipe Board Between Staff and Clients  Clear client expectations  Updated signage Between Front Desk and Back of House  Multi-speaker PA System CLARITY IN RESPONSIBILITY AND POLICIES • Daily Staff Task List List of facility maintenance responsibilities • Ability to keep track of what has been done Job description • Client Agreements • Clear and consistent expectations regarding conduct • Multiple communication touchpoints • Consistent procedures for addressing noncompliance SOP Development • Daily Operations • Client Exit • • • Client Misconduct • Additional Interest Form Shift Communication opportunities CAPTURING DATA  New Bin Interest Form  Understand the need in the community that is unmet with the current program capacity  Client Exit Form to track:  Why clients are leaving the program  How often 90 days pass without contact with clients  Track important documents being stored at VKS  Add Optional Demographic Data to Registration Process FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS Structured one-on-one time with supervisors Professional development opportunities for staff Team building Optimize the application used by front desk staff Identify permanent location options Continued oversight of new implementations and SOP updates QUESTIONS? Claire Taub Claire.Taub@austintexas.gov clairetaub@utexas.edu