SUMMARY
Providing modified Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) to clients who are referred for outpatient restoration; additionally, start-up funding was provided in 2019 to enable Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to purchase a 182-unit housing facility, out of which this and other Colorado Coalition for the Homeless programs are operated.
BACKGROUND
Homelessness presents a significant challenge to out-of-custody competency evaluation and restoration. Many defendants remain in custody during the competency process because releasing them, without a stable place to live, would not be conducive to positive restoration outcomes, and may exacerbate behavioral health conditions. Even ACT level of treatment, which is among the most acute available in outpatient settings, is not recommended unless the client has stable housing.
ELEMENTS
Permanent supportive housing and ACT-level treatment
PROGRAM STAFF
ACT personnel; program administrators
CAPACITY
25 clients at a time
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
Decrease in individuals who require admittance to the state hospital for competency restoration; Decrease in time to reach competency outcome; Increase in treatment service engagement during and after justice involvement; Increase in continued residence in permanent supportive housing
STANDOUT ASPECTS
This program extends the permanent supportive housing model to competency restoration clients, thus enabling the release of individuals who are homeless to be safely released, treated, and managed in the community during the restoration to competency process. Housing is a significant barrier to the safe release of homeless individuals from jail. This program enables clients to receive high intensity case management out-of-custody. As such, this program addresses housing as a barrier to release, and to the receipt of clinically-appropriate services, specific to a competency restoration client base.
FUNDING
$4,964,964 for two years