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Chapter 3: Homeless Population and Current Service Capacity Homeless families need comprehensive services to address the multiplicity of needs that cause them to become homeless, and entrap them into the cycle of poverty. The report, "Generation of Homeless Families", (June 1992) states, "To truly address the needs of these families shelters must also provide a variety of services and programs that enable families to build sound, independent living skills, complete their education, and obtain job training before moving to permanent housing. " Alcohol and Drug Treatment- According to the State Department of Licensing there were 506 licensed alcohol or drug treatment beds in Alameda County in 1994. These included 3-5 day detox programs, and short (30-90 day) and long-term (6 to 18 months) residential treatment programs. Of these, 364 are funded by the County and available to people with very low-incomes. The County-funded slots include beds for men, women and special programs for women with children including 28 beds for children of women in recovery. No County beds are specifically dedicated for homeless people, although the County estimates that as many as 62 percent of persons in County reimbursed treatment facilities may be homeless. In a study of people in alcohol treatment programs, homeless clients presented a more complex clinical picture than did others. They had more severe and chronic alcohol problems, co-occurring drug dependence and poorer mental health status. This study suggests that homeless clients are likely to require a broader array of therapeutic services and perhaps a lengthier intervention than are usually available in tradition alcohol treatment programs. Staff at the County Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs cite three primary gaps in housing needs of homeless addicted people and their families: 1) an increase in the number of beds in residential recovery facilities to meet the need of homeless people, 2) supportive transitional housing to provide clean and sober living/life skills needed to live independently, and 3) supportive permanent housing for those not able to stay clean and sober and housed in the community at Large. Health and Menial Health Care- Health Care for the Homeless operates a mobile health team that goes to the sites where homeless people congregate and provides a range of health services to them. In 1993, Health Care for the Homeless provided 31,090 "encounters" (consisting of primary care services, alcohol and drug services, and case management services) to 6,550 different homeless individuals. Local clinics, such as the Berkeley Free Clinic and the Tri-City Health Center also serve homeless people along with the general low-income population. For those who are eligible, Medicaid provides health coverage Alameda County-Wide Homeless Continuum of Care Plan: April 1997 27