GBHI: Grant to Benefit Homeless Individuals in the Lakes Region Mental Health Center Service Area - The Lakes Region Mental Health Center Grant to Benefit Homeless Individuals & Families in the Lakes Region Service Area provides individuals that are experiencing homelessness with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, increased access to evidence-based services and treatments by providing linkages in an integrated, comprehensive system of supports to improve recovery outcomes for individuals, and overall healthier communities. Lakes Region Mental Health Center (LRMHC), established in 1966, is one of 10 Community Mental Health Centers in New Hampshire (NH), and the provider organization for direct client services. Recent trends indicate a significant increase in NH of the unsheltered (up 263%) and chronic (up 146%) homelessness from 2020 - 2021: 29% are chronically homeless, 33% have severe mental illness and 22% have a substance use disorder. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the county seat where LRMHC is located has risen dramatically from pre-pandemic levels. The number of public-school students experiencing homelessness is 206, or 6.6% of the NH total, higher than the state average of 1.8%, and much higher than the national average of 2.2%. To address the needs of the community LRMHC serves, the project is based on the 4 major dimensions of recovery: Health, Home, Purpose. Community. The first goal provides street outreach and increased engagement with sheltered and unsheltered individuals in the service area, to increase access and participation in treatments and services. Increased distribution of harm reduction supplies reduces the chance of the worst outcomes such as overdose fatalities, or life-threatening infections. Goal two improves outcomes for all youth, families, and adults that are experiencing homelessness with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, by increasing service capacity and availability of evidence-based treatment approaches and practices, increased screening and increased clinical guidelines. The third goal provides recovery services designed to improve access and retention. A flexible “No Wrong Door” model places a high priority on engagement with people with co-occurring disorders, and acts proactively to offer services in office, on the street, and in client-preferred locations to keep them from falling through cracks. Partnering area service providers and treatment organizations coordinate care delivery to provide comprehensive, integrated physical, mental, and substance use disorder recovery support services. Financial support for recovery housing, child care, and transportation reduce barriers to accessing treatment. Evidence-based treatment strategies and interventions include: Housing First, harm reduction, increased screening and assessment, motivational interviewing, supported employment, Peer Support, 7 Challenges, and case management. Continuous program quality assessment and improvement, adjustment for trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practices for the focus population, allow for programs and treatments that result in better long-term patient outcomes, sustainable recovery and housing. The objective is to serve 270, 295, 385, 435 and 530 unduplicated individuals in years 1-5, respectively, and a total of 1915 through the project term.
