A Safe Haven Foundation (ASHF), one of the largest transitional housing providers in Chicago, proposes to create an onsite Integrated Behavioral Health Center at its main facility in order to increase capacity and expand services for people experiencing homelessness. The Integrated Behavioral Health Center will include clinical treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), Co-Occurring Disorders (CODs), and mental health counseling, as well as primary care and pharmacy services. The geographic catchment area is All Chicago Continuum of Care (IL-510) encompassing a population of focus that self-identifies as: non-Hispanic Black (75%) or Hispanic/Latinx (11%); under age 24 (24%) or age 25 or older (76%); male (67%) or female (32%); and, as homeless households with children (25%). With the support of its partners - Rush Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence at the Rush University Medical Center, West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force and A Safe Haven LLC. - the ASHF Integrated Behavioral Health Center anticipates assessing 5,000 individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, annually, and intaking approximately 1,000 (25%) for SUDs, CODs, and/or mental health counseling. During the grant period of performance, ASHF endeavors to earn CARF Accreditation and status as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center with support from MTM Services LLC for its Integrated Behavioral Health Center.
ASHF's goals are 1) Create an onsite Integrated Behavioral Health Center for clients in ASHF's transitional housing services; 2) Increase outreach activities to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and who need or feel the need for SUDs/CODs treatment or mental health counseling; 3) Reduce substance use among clients participating in treatment programs from ASHF's Integrated Behavioral Health Center; and, 4) Reduce symptoms among clients diagnosed with a mental health disorder who receive treatment from ASHF's Integrated Behavioral Health Center. the strategies and interventions will include a holistic approach of evidence-based practices for housing first, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, intensive case management, peer support and community reinforcement. The Center's objectives on behalf of participants are a) to treat 80% of individuals experiencing homelessness who are assessed to need SUDs/CODs/mental health treatment and b) to reduce the use of substances and mental health symptoms for 80% of clients who enroll in treatment programs. Based typically annual volume of clients, ASHF Integrated Behavioral Health Center anticipates screening 5,000 individuals per year, diagnosing 1,000 clients (25%) as candidates for SUDs/CODs/mental health treatment, intaking 800 clients (80% of diagnoses) for behavioral health services, and assisting 640 clients (80% of intakes) to reduce use of substances, to to reduce symptoms of CODs and trauma over the course of the year.