C.O.R.E.

About the Crisis, Outreach, Response and Engagement (C.O.R.E.) Program

The City and County of Honolulu’s Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program (C.O.R.E.) began in October 2021. We currently employ 1 operations manager, 4 field supervisors, 2 community service specialists, 2 community health worker, and 12 EMTs.

C.O.R.E.'s Mission Statement

Through close collaboration and coordination, with an array of City programs and community partners, C.O.R.E. provides services to Oʻahu’s unsheltered population. C.O.R.E. responds to crisis calls, from or within the community, that are non-violent and do not require emergent medical assistance.

The response team includes emergency medical technicians and community health workers trained in relationship building, extending compassion, problem-solving, and crisis prevention intervention. C.O.R.E. is committed to supporting a diversified response system, that is adaptable to the needs of the participant, the community, and the resources of the responders. Once the identified crisis is addressed, C.O.R.E. will deploy a participant-centered follow-up routine that includes continual assessment of their needs and linkage to community resources when necessary.

C.O.R.E.'s Values

To engage with all potential and existing clients with compassion, empathy, and professionalism.
Work with internal and outside partners effectively and respectfully to foster continuum of care for participants.
Deploy strategies grounded in culturally sensitive and data-driven sources and outcomes.
We are part of an expansive, diverse, and substantive effort in partnership with an array of service providers to people in need. We are committed to making the most of these collaborations on behalf of the people we serve.
We are committed to strive for excellence in all aspects of C.O.R.E.’s work. This extends to our hiring and support for our team, our authentic assessment of our work, and all management principles and practices.
These principles are of great value especially as they relate to our participants. Our work is participant driven as we seek resources and advanced knowledge, on their behalf.

C.O.R.E.’s Program Performance Measures and Goals:
December 2021 – May 2022

Length of Time Homeless

Goal: To lower the number of people who return to the unsheltered system and facilitate long term rehabilitation.

Outcome: More than 50% of our participants have identified themselves as being chronically unsheltered. (Experiencing a homelessness for at least a year or repeatedly while struggling with a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability.)

Income & Job Growth

Goal: To increase the percentage of adults who gain income

Outcome: Our staff has been able to assist participants with completing applications for DHS assisted benefits (SNAP & Financial). They have also helped to obtain replacement EBT cards for individuals, when they’ve been reported lost or stolen. Other participants have requested assistance with the annual recertification process for DHS benefits. The C.O.R.E. team was able to obtain all legal documentations required to get a replacement state ID for a participant who has been homeless for 25 years and suffers from dementia. This participant has since been placed into bridge housing while he awaits placement at a long term nursing facility.

Outreach and Engagement

Goal: Connect persons who are unsheltered to housing and support services.

Outcomes: Since the start of our program in December 2021 we have acquired over 150 participants who has each agreed to case management services and/or wound care. The C.O.R.E. team conducts weekly follow-up visits with our active participants. During our initial contact, CHWs, conduct consent signing and completion of our intake packet to help with identifying a participant’s needs. The CHWs are also able to relink participants to their previously assigned case managers, care providers, and offer therapeutic support when necessary. Our CHWs and EMTs provide daily outreach & engagement in Chinatown and areas of concern identified by the community.

Stabilization & Assessment

Goal: Focus on re-housing unsheltered participants, regardless of disability or background.

Outcome: Referrals to emergency and transitional shelter as well as rapid rehousing and boarding home units. We have placed 9% (10) of our participants into an emergency shelter within their first 30 days of consenting to services.

Media Coverage

C.O.R.E. Rolls On After One Year Of Service

KITV looks at the program one year after the program's initiation.

Read the full story on KITV.com

C.O.R.E. Values

At the heart of Honolulu Emergency Services Department’s newest program is a hardworking team looking out for and taking care of the city’s houseless population, with director Dr. James Ireland leading the way.

Read the full story at Midweek

Honolulu’s C.O.R.E. Program Begins Outreach in Waikīkī, Where Unsheltered Homelessness is on the Rise

The Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program sends emergency medical technicians and community health workers to respond to community concerns and nonviolent, homeless-related 911 calls, and conducts outreach aimed at getting unsheltered homeless people housed.

Read the full story at the Star Advertiser

City’s New Crisis Outreach Team Aims to Take Strain Off Hospitals, First Responders

It’s been a longtime concern: Homeless people calling 911 for problems that aren’t emergencies. Officials say up to 25% of 911 calls in Downtown Honolulu are from individuals living on the street and in need of food or minor medical care.

Read the full story at the Hawaii News Now

Contact Us

If there are concerns about homeless individuals or groups in your neighborhood that need help, you can email HonoluluCORE@honolulu.gov or call the C.O.R.E. hotline at (808) 768-2673 to ask for assistance. This line is for non-emergencies only and calls will be returned as soon as possible.