Program Guidelines

Eligibility for admittance to Out of the Cold: Centre County (OOTC3):
Residents of Centre County in need of overnight shelter are invited to register and use the ministry as long as necessary.

Persons from outside Centre County who need shelter are limited to a 30-day stay. Extensions will be granted to guests who are employed, or working with an agency or case worker to obtain housing in Centre County.

Persons who come from a medical facility must be approved by calling the Program Manager at 814-852-8864 prior to entrance into OOTC3. A phone assessment will be conducted to ensure that the person is both medically stable and has all necessary resources in place (medications, insurance/medical assistance application, etc.). Persons may not simply be dropped off or stop in at a host site expecting an overnight stay.

Registration:
There are two ways guests can register for the program:

• Guests may call OOTC3 at 814-852-8864 to register by 7:00 p.m. Guest who do not have a phone may call from Centre Helps, 410 South Fraser Street, State College. OR
  
• Guests may sign up prior to leaving the host site for that evening. Guest musts call the registration phone if their plans change and they are not coming that evening.

The first time a guest stays at Out of the Cold: Centre County, they will go through an intake process. Each night guest will read and sign the Safety Code and House Rules Agreement. Knives and other weapons that are brought into the host site will be locked up for the night. Guns are not allowed at the host site and if a guest has a gun, the volunteers will call 911.