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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2683 |
| Mental Health Community Housing Program/Miami-Dade Program Services |
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| Requester: |
Virama Oller |
Organization: |
Fellowship House |
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| Project Title: |
Mental Health Community Housing Program/Miami-Dade Program Services |
Date Submitted |
1/13/2006 9:40:51 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Garcia |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| As denoted in the Florida Board of Governors Finance Committee Strategic Plan, the legislative budget aims to meet community needs. Fellowship House is a local organization in Miami-Dade County serving adult men and women debilitated by the devastating effects of mental illness and individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. By providing a structured program that concentrates on the redevelopment and restoration of social, vocational and personal skills, Fellowship House assists these individuals in meeting their needs and striving towards rehabilitation and recovery. Programs such as our Community Housing Program contribute to the overall betterment of our local community by improving the quality of life of some of its most underserved and underprivileged inhabitants. The need for supportive housing remains a well documented need in our community. Each year, Fellowship House maintains highly successful outcomes for this project and creates an atmosphere where clients can truly achieve their goals. |
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| Recipient: |
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center Inc. dba Fellowship House |
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Contact: |
Virama Oller |
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5711 South Dixie Highway |
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Contact Phone: |
(305) 667-1036 |
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Miami 33143 |
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Contact email: |
voller@fellowshiphouse.org |
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| Counties: |
Dade |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Fellowship House's Community Housing Program provides residential options coupled with supportive services to those experiencing the debilitating effects of mental illness and individuals diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Fellowship House presently administers both transitional and independent housing services, as well as a continuum of residential services dedicated to serving those afflicted with psychiatric disability and homelessness. The high success rates of the Community Housing program can be attributed to the comprehensive basic living skills training and social skill restoration activities that are provided daily. The Community Housing Program is accredited by the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) and received numerous exemplary commendations in its 2001 survey. Additionally, in November 2005, the Program was granted an Exemplary Program award by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for its dedication to serving adults debilitated by mental illness and homelessness. Within the past three years, Fellowship House expanded its core services to include a forensic tract and a substance abuse tract to meet the demands of an ever-changing population. The implementation of these two new tracts within the present continuum of care has lead to the development of consultative and cooperative relationships with local criminal justice entities. Referrals from these agencies often result in service provision for individuals with no access to financial resources, either due to their forensic involvement or immigration issues. These clients are in dire need of a safe, affordable and productive home environment that will prevent them from relapsing into substances or criminal activity. However, their lack of resources limits the agency's ability to house them and offer them the full range of supportive services. Additionally, they are unable to move up within the housing continuum and into permanent apartment living due to their inabilities to pay rent. Fellowship House is requesting $350,000 to assist us in offering viable housing options to individuals with diminished access to funds. Granted funds will also be utilized for programmatic costs, such as the supportive services provided by Fellowship House staff. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Over ten percent of Fellowship House's membership is presently comprised of individuals with no access to financial resources. Allotted funding would allow for the agency to increase this number and provide current indigent clients with additional residential options, including access to permanent housing. Regarding rehabilitation treatment outcomes, Housing Program participants currently maintain impressive outcome measures, including: over 99% of program participants are able to avoid psychiatric hospital recidivism; 80% of participants demonstrate improved level of functioning, as evidenced by increased GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) scores; 98% of clients are able to maintain permanent supportive housing long-term; Community Housing clients are able to maintain a GAF score of 48 or more, on average. With the assistance of the state's support, we can continue to help our client reach the highest level of achievement possible. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$350,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$425,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$50,000 |
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In-kind Amount |
$25,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$350,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Florida's Strategic Plan for Supportive Housing for Persons with Mental Illness |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Miami Dade County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
11/18/2005 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
