|
This Code Blue procedure describes and directs Agency operations required during Code Blue and Winter Weather Emergency Alerts to protect individuals living on the street and to prevent injury and death resulting from cold exposure by providing instructions concerning: (1) enhanced and expanded services provided by Street Homeless Solutions (Outreach, Safe Havens, and Drop-in Centers) and DHS Shelter Operations; and (2) the provision of shelter to individuals “reasonably believed to be homeless and unwilling or unable to find the shelter necessary for safety and health in inclement winter weather” in accordance with New York State (NYS) Regulation 18 NYCRR § 304.1 (“Emergency Measures for the Homeless during Inclement Winter Weather”). Consistent with that NYS regulation, the threshold for issuing a Code Blue Alert has been revised, and the actions to be taken by DHS reflect the directions in the Regulation, that shelter must be offered to all individuals "reasonably believed to be homeless and unwilling or unable to find the shelter necessary for safety and health in inclement winter weather." Id.
|
