Perimeter? I Hardly Know Her!
During a Temp Winter Shelter shift, the main purpose of a perimeter check is to catch ___ before it becomes an incident.
What are safety and security concerns?
This includes unauthorized individuals, suspicious activity, fire hazards, or maintenance issues, harm reduction, before they escalate into an incident
When writing shift notes, staff should document ___, not assumptions.
What are facts
The dignity-first opener for a wellness check starts with ___.
What is knocking (or calling their name), identifying yourself, and checking for consent when possible?
In a Temp Winter Shelter, documentation is important because shifts are shared and ___ needs continuity.
What is guest support and safety follow-up?
A boundary is not punishment — it is a tool for ___.
What is safety, consistency, and respect?
Name two perimeter “hot spots” at our winter shelter that should be checked every time.
What are the smoking area, fence/property line, parking lot, cart storage, bathrooms, sleeping area, and down and up the street?
Guest is being manipulative” is an example of ____ and ____.
What is opinion/interpretation (not a fact)?
A winter shelter wellness check should be ___.
What is predictable?
The best notes include time, location, what you observed, and ___.
What is what action you took (and the result)?
A guest demands an exception outside policy. The best response includes empathy plus ___.
What is a clear limit and an alternative option?
You arrive for shift and see loitering near the door before opening. What should you do?
Maintain safe boundaries, welcome guests, have a soft check-in with guests, encourage guests to go for a walk and pick up litter if there is time before opening.
Give a winter shelter example of a fact-based note about behavior, well, doing perimeter checks.
What is “Guest raised voice, swore, paced near intake desk, and refused direction to lower voice”? (any similar objective example)
A wellness check is NOT a chance to ___ someone.
What is lecture, shame, or “power struggle” them?
“Guest was disruptive” becomes a stronger note when you add ___.
What is specific behaviors and exact staff directions given (and response)?
The “broken record” boundary skill is calmly repeating the limit without ___.
What is arguing, debating, or escalating the tone?
You find the gate isn't latching properly during a perimeter check. What is the correct action?
What is a fill-out maintenance request and email coordinator
You see an unattended cart/bag near the entrance during busy times. The safest response is to ___.
What is alert guest if possible or move cart if unable to connect with guest.
During overnight hours, a respectful wellness check protects privacy by ___.
What is using a quiet voice, limiting light exposure, keeping language simple, and avoiding drawing attention?
A key reason we document perimeter hazards is to ensure ___.
What is maintenance follow-up and risk reduction
A guest tries to pull you into a private side conversation away from staff view. The boundary response is to ___.
What is redirect to a safer/appropriate space and involve another staff if needed?
In freezing weather, the perimeter check must also include seasonal hazards like ___.
What are ice/slip risks, blocked exits, snow buildup, and unsafe warming/heat sources?
ou notice a new “hidden” gathering spot forming along the fence line at night. What should staff do?
What is increase staff presence, do scheduled checks, redirect respectfully if needed, and document/flag it as a safety concern?
A guest is asleep and not responding to voice prompts. What should staff do?
Monitor for breathing, increase wellness checks, and utilize peers when possible to stay with them.
When an issue affects safety or operations, staff must document AND ___.
What is verbally hand off to the next shift / notify lead or on-call per protocol?
When a situation starts feeling unsafe, the staff boundary is to disengage and ___.
What is call for backup/notify your partner/lead and follow de-escalation practices?