BART creates new position to implement Strategic Homelessness Action Plan

A new senior manager of social services partnerships position has been created by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) as part of the agency’s efforts to increase resources to help address homelessness within the system and connect people to resources.

The senior manager of social services partnerships will focus on designing, implementing and overseeing programs to address homelessness and related issues within the BART system. The position will serve as the top advisor for the general manager and the board of directors on matters related to homelessness and the health and social welfare of BART riders.

“This new position doubles down on our commitment to help those in need and to demonstrate a new approach at BART,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “Our riders and employees are concerned for those they come across in the system who are seeking shelter and don’t know the best way to help. Homelessness is a complex issue and as a transit system we have struggled to effectively respond to the crisis occurring in the Bay Area. We need someone who can work with a variety of stakeholders, find funding partnerships, and bring new ideas to the table.”

BART’s senior manager of social services partnerships will work directly with BART’s Supervisors of Crisis Intervention, who are responsible for providing services to the unsheltered population in the BART system with housing and/or mental health issues. The senior manager will also work closely with the BART Police Department to ensure all programs are in alignment with the Progressive Policing policies.

Qualifications for the position include a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Social Welfare, Health Care Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. Five years of full time-time professional experience implementing health or human services programs with at least two years of management-level experience.

The creation of the new position is one of many initiatives being implemented to bolster BART’s progressive policing efforts and finding new solutions that don’t rely on armed police. The action plan also calls for BART to hire 20 crisis intervention specialists beginning later this year and to continue the Transit Ambassador Program. The plan is based on extensive stakeholder engagement that included public meetings in all nine BART districts.