SUMMARY 
Providing housing and services associated with supportive monitored sober housing to clients referred by the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health for out-of-custody competency restoration

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.  Temporary, or transitional housing, of the type that would benefit a justice-involved population, is a resource gap statewide.  Sober-living facilities present one opportunity to meet this need.

ELEMENTS
Housing in a sober-living facility, coordination among housing managers and competency restoration case management

PROGRAM STAFF
Funding supports partial salary offsets for a Director of Operations and two Peer Support Specialists

CAPACITY
6 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

STANDOUT ASPECTS
Focusing on serving rural clients, this program utilizes beds in a sober-living facility to provide housing to clients undergoing competency evaluation and restoration. This program will help state policymakers determine the extent to which the sober living environment is appropriate for a subset of clients referred for out-of-custody competency restoration.    

FUNDING
$570,330 for three years