Newark, NJ the third neediest city in the U.S, where residents live with high rates of HIV infection, homicide, and homelessness. Many homeless struggle with co-occurring mental illness and substance use, and many are returning veterans. Team Management 2000, Inc. is committed to improving the lives of these citizens with the Healthy Recovery Initiative. Their evidence-based interventions will result in increases in stable housing, sobriety, employment, and health. Team Management 2000, Inc. TM2K has been a licensed treatment facility since 2001. They have been serving homeless individuals with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and HIV for 18 years. Their outpatient client outcomes exceed state averages for measures including abstinence, employment, reduced arrests, and reduced homelessness. They are an embedded part of the community where individuals feel recognized and supported no matter their situation. Approximately 11,000 homeless persons living in Essex and Passaic counties also struggle with co-occurring disorders, and over 2300 of them are HIV. They are also siblings, spouses, children, and friends members of our community who appear lost. TM2K will implement the Healthy Recovery Initiative to provide integrated dual disorder treatment IDDT services to these individuals. In partnership with housing and medical providers across Newark, the TM2K team will ensure this ignored population gets the services they so desperately need. This project will provide outreach to almost 5600 homeless persons and enroll (50yr.1) and approximately 320 in treatment services over five years. These clients will be adults ages 18 and older; approximately 30% women and 70% men, whose primary drugs of choice are opiates and cocaine, followed by alcohol and marijuana. They will have a mental disorder. 90% of them are Black or African-American, and at least 35% of them are veterans. Approximately 50% have criminal justice involvement and 20% head a family. Almost 30% of them will be HIV positive. They will primarily live in places not meant for human habitation. TM2K team (including therapists, case managers, peer supporters, and a psychiatrist) will work in partnership with each client to help them achieve 1) 70% in stable housing, 2) 50% showing abstinence from alcohol and drugs, 3) 75% receiving regular health care, 4) 50% demonstrating more stable mental health, 5) 25% obtaining employment, 6) 50% receiving mainstream benefits, 7) 75% with reduced arrests and 8) 50% with improved social connectedness. This project utilizes proven methods which are shown to be effective with this very at-risk population. In addition to IDDT, they will utilize Motivational Interviewing, and the Seeking Safety trauma curriculum. They will engage family members and other supports to assist the individual outside of the treatment setting. This project will benefit all citizens as these individuals reduce their use of high-cost services including emergency rooms, hospitals, and prisons. The entire community is enhanced as homeless persons become housed and re-engage with the world around them.
