Missoula, like many communities across the country, is facing a growing challenge: an increase in homelessness. But there’s hope on the horizon. Missoula is one of the communities that has implemented a Coordinated Entry System (CES), a game-changing approach that streamlines services to better meet the needs of those seeking support. The Missoula Coordinated Entry System (MCES) is designed with clear goals that align perfectly with our mission at the Poverello Center: prioritizing the most vulnerable, reducing barriers to access, enhancing collaboration among providers, and maintaining dynamic, real-time data to guide our efforts.
Over 40 service providers are actively participating in the MCES, including the Poverello Center, the Missoula Police Department and Crisis Intervention Team, Missoula County Public Schools, the Missoula Food Bank & Community Center, the Missoula Housing Authority, the Salvation Army, and many others.
Our team at the Poverello Center works closely with key partners like Partnership Health Center, Shelter Court, and Housing Solutions Fund, ensuring that our guests receive the comprehensive support they need. For a full list of partners and more information from the City of Missoula on MCES, visit the Missoula Coordinated Entry System.
But what does this system mean for the Poverello Center? For us, MCES is more than just data and fact sheets; it’s a lifeline for our guests. It’s a way to help them navigate the complex web of available resources while minimizing the trauma often associated with being unhoused.
This summer, the true power of the Coordinated Entry System came into sharp focus. A former guest, who had been successfully housed for over a year after spending eight years cycling between shelter and the streets, found herself evicted due to a lease violation. Knowing she could rely on the Poverello Center, she returned to us. Thanks to the alerts from the Coordinated Entry System, our staff quickly connected with her, securing the legal support and housing navigation she desperately needed. Remarkably, within just two weeks, she was back in stable housing.
The Missoula Coordinated Entry System is a critical tool for service providers like us, helping to ensure we meet the needs of our clients and the community. For our guests, it’s the thread that ties together all the services they access, strengthening their chances of finding and maintaining housing. Across the country, Coordinated Entry Systems are becoming central to discussions about solving homelessness, and we’re proud to be part of this innovative strategy here in Missoula. At the Poverello Center, we remain committed to working tirelessly for our guests, our community, and our shared future.