Friday, April 19, 2024
4/19/2024
This project will leverage existing community partnerships and funding to increase linkages to vital services and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Orange County, CA, while increasing SOS’s capacity to provide behavioral health and case management services tailored to the needs of homeless persons with substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (CODs). SOS is requesting $400,000 in Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI) funding for its Behavioral Health/Case Management Expansion Project, which will allow SOS to add a psychiatrist and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) certified case manager to its behavioral health team, and support the introduction of a modified version of the evidence-based Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking (MISSION) program. While MISSION was initially developed to support the transition of formerly homeless veterans with CODs and mental illness to independent living in the community, SOS’s project team will adapt this integrated treatment program to assist veterans and non-veterans achieve their personal goals through rapid community engagement and the provision of comprehensive outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services. The project will serve homeless individuals and families within SOS’s Orange County service area, including patients of our health centers, with a primary focus on those who are: 1) experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (CODs); and 2) uninsured or covered only under Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). Based on recent Census data, 37.8% of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and 44.0% identify as Hispanic or Latino. Approximately 15,000 individuals currently experience homelessness in Orange County, with a 20% increase in 2015 alone. The project goals are: 1) to increase access to integrated behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services throughout SOS’s Orange County service area; 2) to improve collaborative care within a multi-sectoral system leading to improved health outcomes for the population of focus; 3) to reduce the cost of care through efficient delivery of integrated primary, specialty, and enabling medical and behavioral services; and 4) to connect homeless individuals and families to permanent supportive housing. Project objectives will include: 1) enrolling a minimum of 100 homeless participants following screening and assessment for SUDs/CODs; 2) providing comprehensive substance use counseling services for 100% of enrolled participants and combined substance use and mental health services for a minimum of 50% of participants; 3) linking 80% of participants served to recovery services and permanent supportive housing, whereby a minimum of 50 persons are placed each year; and 4) improving the quality of life for participants based on a pre- and post-test assessment using the standardized Addiction Severity Index (ASI).
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
