To ensure compliance with grant requirements, maintain necessary records, and provide appropriate referrals, Family Promise of Puget Sound (FPOPS) requires clients to complete specific documentation before receiving certain levels of service. Our goal is always to maximize support while adhering strictly to contract mandates.

The Baseline Requirement for All Services (HMIS Compliance)

The Release of Information (ROI) form is mandatory for nearly all services provided by FPOPS. This is a non-negotiable requirement for compliance with our contracts, as it allows us to enter necessary data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Every client group or family must first complete a Consultation/Intake Form. Additionally, an ROI Form is required for EVERY adult (age 18 or older) in the client group. Completion of the ROI form requires every adult to formally make a decision regarding the release of information (either authorizing or declining authorization). A client has the right to decline authorization, but this decision must be documented. If a client provides a verbal decision to decline, FPOPS staff must complete the form by marking ‘No’ for all release/obtain permissions and writing ‘Verbal decision per client’ in the signature field. Refusal to participate in the required documentation process (i.e., refusing to acknowledge the form or confirm a verbal decision) prevents FPOPS from meeting HMIS contract requirements, thus limiting services to basic, emergent-only resources (see section 3).

Required for Emergency Shelter Waitlist and Referrals

A higher level of documentation is required when a client group is seeking entry onto the emergency shelter waitlist or needs a referral to any emergency shelter partner. All adults in the group must have completed the Intake/Consultation Form and the ROI Form, PLUS they must complete the Background Check (BG Check) Authorization Form. If a client group includes children in their custody, and the adults have not completed the Intake/Consultation Form, the ROI Form, AND the BG Check Authorization Form, the group will not be placed on the emergency shelter waitlist. No Background Check Authorization means no referrals to shelters. No acknowledged ROI means no referrals.

Emergent Services: The Only Exception

The only resources that can be provided to a client who has not completed the necessary documentation (ROI and BG Check Authorization) are basic, emergent-only services. Emergent services are limited to providing contact information or phone numbers for immediate, life-sustaining resources (e.g., local food bank hours, domestic violence hotline, or other non-FPOPS crisis numbers). Any resource that is automatically sent to clients following a consultation (such as a generic list of housing resources) can be provided without an ROI. However, any personalized or specific referral requires the acknowledged ROI.