Homeless Abstract
The applicant seeks a Treatment for the Homeless -General Grant to integrate Wellness Self Management and Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment into our transitional housing in the Bronx and in Brooklyn (NYC) to provide evidence based treatment to 250 individuals who are chronically homeless and have mental health, substance abuse, cc-¬occurring disorders and attendant health care needs (including HIV IAIDS). The NYC HIV IAIDS Services Administration has noted that consumers in the applicant’s transitional housing achieve permanent living situations at a rate of 5 to 6 times that of other providers. We attribute this success to our use of evidence based programming, including Motivational Interviewing which engages consumers in treatment by building on their personal goals. Wellness Works! will take the next step, turning transitional housing staff into treatment coaches and seizing on moments of openness to enlist the most ambivalent consumers into fully integrated substance abuse, mental health, and/or primary health care. By offering seamless, culturally competent services on site and in the community, Wellness Works! will (1) build residents' motivation to participate in mental health, substance abuse, health, and HIV/AIDS care; (2) increase adherence to and retention in these services; (3) help residents achieve and maintain sobriety, as well as mental health and health symptom stability; and (4) secure permanent housing. All staff -from managers to custodians -in the 2 transitional residences will be trained in these evidence based interventions to create a person ¬centered, solution-focused milieu that meets residents where they are in their path to recovery, and assist them in achieving their personal goals. Because of the multiple challenges and co¬-morbidities presented by this target population, the program will retain: (1) a licensed, MSW Project Director/Wellness Coordinator with extensive training in co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders to provide clinical support in assessing residents' needs, overseeing staff training/coaching, and managing program activities; (2) a Credentialed Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) to work with residents in addressing substance abuse issues; and (3) a Registered Nurse to assist residents in learning to manage multiple health challenges, including HIV/AIDS. Since 1978, the applicant, a not-for-profit organization, has supported individuals with special needs to live with dignity in the community, direct their own lives, and attain personal fulfillment. Our data document that increasing length of stay in housing correlates with treatment participation and nearly doubles the rate at which residents achieve permanency in housing. We have crafted Wellness Works! to build on this firm foundation and anticipate even higher rates of consumers transitioning to permanent housing and achieving recovery, outcomes that will be carefully documented in Wellness Works! thorough process and outcome evaluation.