Pre-Match Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS)

Pre-Match ICMS Information Center

6.3.25 - PreMatch Updates:

Update: Pre-Match ICMS Eligibility Expanded

We’re excited to share that Pre-Match Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) eligibility has expanded!

Effective immediately, PreMatch ICMS is now open to all high-acuity unhoused neighbors—regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Clients must still meet CES acuity thresholds:

Single Adults & Transition Age Youth (TAY): CES Score of 8+
Families with Minor Children: CES Score of 9+

This expansion strengthens our commitment to housing equity by removing barriers for vulnerable populations historically excluded from vital support services.

Pre-Match Monthly Provider Meeting - Recap & Upcoming Session

The DHS Housing Navigation Team held its first Monthly Meeting for PreMatch Providers on Monday, May 13th at 11:00 AM.

During this session, we reintroduced the PreMatch ICMS model, discussed key updates, and aligned on expectations for service delivery across the network.

📍Missed the meeting?

No worries! We've attached the PowerPoint presentation so you can catch up on all the details, including updated eligibility guidance and expanded access for high-acuity clients regardless of citizenship status. ➡️ (See attachment)

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 10th at 11:00 AM

📍Focus Topic: Document Readiness

Join us as we take a deeper dive into critical documentation requirements for housing placements:

LAHSA will lead a training on completing the Homeless Verification Form and Verification of Disability.
DMH will provide guidance on accurately completing the Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Form, which is essential for matching clients to DMH-funded PSH resources.

📄Whether you’re new to PreMatch or need a refresher, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

👉Please join us: PreMatch Monthly Meetings Link (Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month)

Pre-Match Milestone

We’re proud to share that PreMatch ICMS has reached over 2,000 active slots—a major milestone in our collective work to support unhoused neighbors across Los Angeles County.

🙌Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to this effort!

Temporary Pause on Pre-Match Expansion

To ensure the sustainability and impact of the program, we will be pausing all new PreMatch expansions until August 2025.

This short pause allows us to:

Evaluate the effectiveness of the current PreMatch model
Review outcomes and best practices across provider agencies
Set strategic goals for the upcoming fiscal year

If your agency has submitted interest in expanding or repurposing ICMS slots, our team will reach out to you in July 2025 to begin individual discussions.

📫Please keep an eye out for an email from the PreMatch Team regarding next steps.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership and look forward to building an even stronger system together.

4.14.25 - PreMatch Update: Dual Enrollment with DHS Interim Housing Now Allowed & Monthly PreMatch Meetings/Office Hours

We’re excited to share a key update to the PreMatch Housing Navigation program!

Effective immediately, clients may now be dually enrolled in both DHS Interim Housing (IH) and PreMatch—whether they remain in or are newly referred to a DHS IH program.

This change supports our collective goal of moving our street homeless clients indoors through DHS IH placement as a critical first step toward long-term housing stability through Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).

What this means:

✅ Clients in DHS IH can begin PreMatch housing navigation services immediately

✅ Earlier engagement = faster PSH connections

✅ No need to wait for IH exit before starting the housing process

Clients must still meet CES eligibility criteria: (VI-SPDAT score of 8+ for Single Adults and TAY, VI-SPDAT score of 9+ for Families with Minors).

📅 Starting in May, the PreMatch Team will begin hosting monthly meetings with PreMatch agencies to provide updates, answer questions, and strengthen collaboration across partners.

👉 The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13th at 11:00 AM

If your team needs support with implementation or identifying eligible clients, please connect with your assigned PreMatch Program Manager.

Let’s keep working together to bring more of our unhoused neighbors home.

Next Pre-Match ICMS Workshop - Jan 22 at 10am - 11am

Join Us for the Pathway to Stability Workshop: Introducing Pre-Match!

Discover Pre-Match, an innovative DHS program designed to support high-acuity clients on their journey to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Pre-Match provides intensive case management and housing navigation services to help clients gather required documents, connect to vital resources, and prepare for housing matches—all without requiring a housing subsidy.

This workshop will explore how Pre-Match bridges the gap between unhoused individuals and stable housing, ensuring readiness and reducing barriers to PSH placement.

Let’s work together to transform lives and create pathways to stability!

January 22 at 10am - 11am via Microsoft Teams meeting

*click the button below for access*

Join the Pre-Match ICMS Workshop

What is Pre-Match ICMS?

Pre-Match ICMS, also known as Pre-Housing Resource ICMS, is a critical initiative designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness even before they are matched with a housing subsidy. By initiating intensive case management services early, we aim to shorten the timeframe from homelessness to permanent housing.

Pre-Match ICMS Eligibility Criteria:

Not Yet Permanently Housed
High Acuity CES Score:
Single Adults/Transition-Age Youth (TAY): 8+
Families with Minors: 9+

Not Actively Enrolled in Any of the Following:

LAHSA Time-Limited Subsidy (TLS)
LAHSA Housing Navigation

Pathways to Pre-Match ICMS

Referrals: Through outreach teams and partner organizations.

Self-Enrollment: Visit our service centers to sign up.

Community Partnerships: Collaborations with local shelters and nonprofits.

Pre-Match ICMS helps to:

Secure Interim Housing: Facilitating placements into temporary accommodations.
Enroll in Health Insurance: Assisting with applications to ensure access to medical care.
Access Healthcare Services: Connecting participants with physical, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Provide Transportation: Ensuring participants can attend vital appointments.
Become Housing Document Ready: Helping gather necessary documentation for housing applications.

Our Commitment

Using a low-barrier, “whatever it takes” approach, ICMS practitioners deliver services wherever participants are located—be it on the streets, in shelters, or other settings.

Care Plan Update Examples

Please contact khendriksen@dhs.lacounty.gov if you have any questions