Lorain County's Extreme Weather Activation Protocol
When winter weather turns dangerous in Lorain County, a coordinated system quietly moves into action to ensure that no one is left without shelter. At the center of that effort is Cassandra Marr, Continuum of Care Coordinator, whose leadership helped transform an ad-hoc seasonal response into a sustainable, countywide safety net: the Extreme Weather Activation Protocol.
Just a few years ago, this process looked very different. In 2024, what is now known as the Extreme Weather Activation Protocol was referred to as the "Warming Center Process". Each winter, funders and nonprofit agencies would hold emergency meetings to piece together short-term solutions (securing temporary funding, identifying available beds, and determining how to keep people safe during the coldest months). While well-intentioned, the system was reactive, resource intensive, and had to be rebuilt year after year.
When Cassandra stepped into the Continuum of Care Coordinator role, one of her top priorities was to change that.
Rather than reinventing the wheel every winter, Cassandra set out to design a repeatable, dependable overflow shelter plan that could be activated whenever conditions required it with minimal disruption and maximum clarity for partners across the county. She immediately began working with shelter operators, outreach teams, public health officials, and coordinated entry staff to formalize the process. The result was the Extreme Weather Activation Protocol: a standing framework that can be used year after year to protect vulnerable residents during hazardous conditions.
Today, the decision to activate the Extreme Weather beds is made collaboratively by Cassandra alongside staff from The Haven Center, Catholic Charities St. Elizabeth Center, Coordinated Entry, and when needed Lorain County Public Health. Protocol is triggered when temperatures are forecasted at or below 32 degrees fahrenheit or when a combination of cold, wind, and wet conditions creates a dangerous "real feel" environment. Once activated, both The Haven Center and St. Elizabeth Center deploy additional cots to serve as overflow shelter after their standard beds are filled, expanding capacity during the most critical nights.
Access to emergency shelter remains streamlined through Coordinated Entry, which serves as the single point of contact for anyone seeking a bed in Lorain County. Individuals can connect by phone or walk in to be assessed. Coordinated Entry staff conduct a brief diversion assessment to explore safe alternatives when possible, and when emergency shelter is necessary they refer individuals to the appropriate provider based on availability and specific needs. Coordinated Entry will then share the names of individuals expected to need overflow beds with shelter partners using encrypted communication, allowing partners to prepare in advance. In situations where an overflow bed is not appropriate or available, Coordinated Entry determines what other options can be issued to ensure no one is left without protection from the elements.
Cassandra's work doesn't just represent a new protocol. It reflects a shift toward long-term planning, cross-agency collaboration, and dignity-centered care for people experiencing housing instability. By building a system that is proactive instead of reactive, Cassandra has helped ensure that when winter weather threatens lives, Lorain County is ready.