The Shelter Diversion program was established in October of 2015 and the program offers a preventative approach that stops homelessness before it begins. Families on the brink of homelessness are referred through a centralized hotline and quickly connected with case-management services and short-term financial assistance to help them stay out of shelter and maintain stability. Prevention services are significantly more cost-effective than providing Emergency Shelter after families become homeless, and diversion has a less disruptive effect on the lives of vulnerable children and their parents.