154 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS
67202
316-660-7800
316-264-5425 (Fax)
Ann Curl, LMLP, LCP,
Project Manager
On any given night in this
nation, 750,000 Americans are homeless including:
-
Working people
who cannot afford housing
-
Under-employed
or under-trained people
-
Those who have never
worked
In
Wichita, almost 400 individuals are literally homeless,
living on the streets or in homeless shelters each night according to the 2009
Point-In-Time Homeless Survey. Nationally, one-third of homeless individuals
have a serious mental illness; locally that percentage is higher.
Approximately 500 individuals received a range of mental health services
including: assertive outreach, case management, therapy, medication management,
addiction counseling, support accessing employment and housing resources through
COMCARE’s Homeless Program. About 70% of Homeless Program consumers receiving
case management services for at least months have been able to maintain
independent living. The age range of
adults in services is 18 to 81. Program participants reported on average they
had their first incident of homelessness at age 40. Consumer education levels range from fourth grade education to a master’s
degree, with an average of 12 years of education.
Social and Rehabilitation Services has estimated that when mental health
services are not available, it costs the community approximately $40,000 per
year for each homeless person (including 911 service, emergency room, jail,
etc.). With appropriate support from COMCARE’s Homeless Program, that figure
decreases.
COMCARE’s Homeless Program—also known as Center City (CC)-was established in
1988 and serves individuals who have a serious mental illness and who live in
places not considered adequate shelter, such as cars or abandoned buildings, and
those who are receiving help through emergency shelters.
As a licensed community mental
health center and a program component of Community Support Services, Center City
staff provides comprehensive mental health services, including psychiatric care,
individual and group psychotherapy, mental illness/chemical addiction
counseling, employment support, and intensive case management. The objective of the psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, therapists,
specialists, and case managers is to stabilize consumers’ mental health status
and daily living needs with an emphasis on housing and employment.
Assertive outreach is an important component of the program. The Homeless Program’s Outreach Team goes onto the streets, under
bridges, and into the shelters to assess mental health needs. The Homeless Program uses a “No Wrong Door” approach to link homeless
individuals to community services.
The Homeless Program recently added a peer support provider position to the
outreach team who will bring lived experience of both homelessness and mental
illness to this critical service.
COMCARE’s Homeless Program began participating in a “Housing First” pilot
program for seven chronically homeless individuals. Housing First is an approach
to ending homelessness that centers on providing homeless people with apartments
quickly and then offering mainstream services. Through the Task Force to End
Chronic Homelessness Plan, the County and the City have committed resources to
provide housing for 64 chronically homeless individuals.
COMCARE’s Homeless Program implemented the Dual Diagnosis Transitional Housing
Project under a federal Housing and Urban Development grant in August 2003. Serving 20 adults who meet program criteria for up to 2 years, COMCARE
provides consumers single or family accommodations with housing and services.
COMCARE also partners with Episcopal Social Services who provide payee services
to help consumers learn budgeting. COMCARE Homeless Program maintains an office
amid these apartments providing easy access to integrated mental health and
substance abuse treatment while living in the community. Four apartments with
supportive services are specifically designated to serve chronic homeless
individuals.
The
Homeless Program offers public education to increase understanding of mental
illness and homelessness to foster a more supportive community.
Two
major coalitions supporting homeless intervention services are:
-
Wichita Homeless Services Coalition - A coalition of 30 non-profit agencies
or institutions that provide direct services, without charge, to the homeless
population of Sedgwick County.
-
Community Council on Homeless Advocacy - This group consists of representatives
from schools, businesses, government, the faith community and the United Way. The purpose of the Community Council on Homeless Advocacy (CCHA) is to
provide the Wichita Sedgwick County Community with leadership and advocacy on
behalf of the homeless population.
Ann Curl, LMLP, LCP,
Program Manager at 660-7800.
Your
Government
