Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center

Purpose

The Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center serves chronic public inebriates (CPI) and others in need of a safe and secure place to recover from the acute effects of intoxication.

The Sobering Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It serves as the "front door" through which CPI clients can enter the service network and move toward a stable living arrangement, income support, and greater self-determination.

Population Served

Chronic public inebriates are the Sobering Center's target population. Often homeless and out of control of their lives, these clients are challenged by the requirements of the social safety network to keep appointments, provide documentation, even to stay in touch with case workers. King County has made an active effort to reach out to this vulnerable population for more than twenty years. The Sobering Center is one of the chief means of outreach to these people, jointly funded by King County and the City of Seattle.

More than 1,000 homeless chronic inebriates have been identified in King County, of whom 900 live on the streets of Seattle. These individuals have a severe problem finding safe shelter because traditional homeless shelters will not admit clients who are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, due to liability issues and not being equipped to handle the special demands of this population.  The Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center seeks to address these special needs and point a way out of the street lifestyle.

Services

Services provided include: Emergency Services Patrol (ESP) van transportation to and from the facility; triage for determination of medical emergencies; sober housing for sleeping off the effects of alcohol or other drugs; and intensive case management.

The Sobering Center is an accommodation in which inebriated persons can sleep off their intoxication in a clean and secure environment. Clients typically remain at the facility for  8 to 14 hours per visit. The center has the capacity to serve up to 60 persons at any one time. Clients are given nourishment and can be provided with clothing if they need it.

The center serves an estimated 1,000 individuals in the course of a year.

Staff at the Sobering Center are trained to recognize the common medical problems associated with chronic alcoholism and drug addiction. Staff provide emergency first aid and refer clients in need of emergency medical attention to Harborview Medical Center.

Case Management

Clients are encouraged to engage in intensive case management. Case managers assist clients in addressing short and long term needs for income support, employment, housing, health care, substance abuse treatment, and the development of self-sufficiency skills.

About Our Name

The Sobering Support Center is named in honor of Dutch Shisler, a long-time King County employee and a tireless advocate for the chronic public inebriate population.

Further Information

Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center
1930 Boren Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

For more information, call (206) 205-1080
To speak to someone about a referral, call (206) 205-1092.