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, there are more
than 750,000 Americans who are homeless. They are:
-
Working
people who cannot afford housing
-
Under-employed or under-trained people
-
Those who have
never worked
In Wichita, there are more
than 700 individuals who are on the streets or in homeless shelters each night.
Single parent families, primarily women with children, comprise the fastest
growing group of people entering homelessness. Nationally, approximately
one-third of homeless individuals have a serious mental illness; locally that
percentage is higher.
In an average year,
approximately 500 individuals receive services through the COMCARE Homeless
Program. More than 80% of Homeless Program consumers receiving case management
services have been able to maintain independent living. The average age of
Homeless Program participants is 36. Program participants reported that they
had their first incident of homelessness at age 29. The average Homeless
Program participant has spent three and one-half years homeless. 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 -- known as Center City (CC) -- that figure
falls to about $6,500.
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.
A staff of 25 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.
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.
The Homeless Program
offers public education to increase understanding of mental illness and
homelessness in order to promote a more supportive community.
Two major coalitions
supporting homeless intervention services are:
Wichita Homeless Services
Coalition - A
coalition of 29 agencies or institutions that provide direct services, without
charge, to the homeless population of Sedgwick County.
Community Council on
Homeless Advocacy (formerly Wichita Homeless Task force) - Established in 1994,
this group consists of representatives from schools, businesses, 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.
In 1994, Sedgwick County
received a federal grant from the Center for Mental Health Services: ACCESS
Research Demonstration Project. The achievements of the ACCESS grant show what
is possible when these services are provided:
-
Homeless Program
participants with psychotic disorders reported a 45% reduction of
the symptoms of their mental illness.
-
Twice as many people
became employed, either part-time or full-time, within 12
months of entering the program.
-
The number of people
engaged in job training activities also
For more information on
COMCARE’s Homeless Program contact
Ann Curl, LMLP,
LCP, Project Manager at 660-7800.
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