Transitional Living Program Expands
Media Release: February 23, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY — A program that provides mental health and transitional housing services to at-risk individuals in northeast and north-central Oklahoma is expanding thanks to recently signed Pay for Success contracts. The contracts between the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), the agency’s service provider — Grand Lake Mental Health Center (GLMHC)—and Oklahoma City-based non-profit MetaFund provide funding to increase mental health and transitional housing services to an additional 100 individuals.
MetaFund will provide funding to GLMHC to expand their Supported Transitional Living Program to 100 justice-involved people who are at risk for homelessness over a 12-month period. GLMHC’s service area includes Craig, Delaware, Kay, Mayes, Noble, Nowata, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers, and Washington counties.
“We are so excited to be partnering with GLMHC for this transitional housing program to serve vulnerable rural Oklahomans as we know having access to safe, affordable housing sets a foundation for self-sufficiency and is key to the individuals’ path to recovery,” said Suzanne L. Williams, MCJ, ODMHSAS Director of Recovery Supports — Employment and Housing. “We are hopeful that this funding will lead to additional efforts across the state.”
GLMHC will provide an array of trauma-informed services that promote quality of life for consumers. Referrals will be made from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC), diversion courts, drug courts, and community-based organizations. Individuals must be assessed at moderate to higher level of need. DOC currently has a similar program for individuals experiencing severe mental illness. However, the expanded program addresses the gap in services for individuals with a mental health diagnosis that is not categorized as severe. Priority is given to individuals released within the previous six months.
Participants who qualify will receive an array of wrap-around support services such as case management, support groups, individual and group therapy, transportation services, peer support, medication management, substance abuse counseling, evidence-based supported employment and education through Individual Placement and Support (IPS), and housing navigation to permanent safe, affordable housing.
GLMHC currently provides housing services, including a Supported Transitional Living Program. Based on contact with community organizations and courts, GLMHC projects serving 50 individuals within the first 90 days and reaching 100 within about 6 months.
“GLMHC is excited for the opportunity to partner with MetaFund and ODMHSAS on the Pay for Success housing program. Having community members like MetaFund partner with agencies is a unique and inspiring approach to help change individual lives on a local level” said Amy Garrison, Chief Administrative Officer for GLMHC.
With the Pay for Success contract, MetaFund provides the upfront funding for the expansion. If pre-defined outcomes are achieved, the state will make success payments to repay MetaFund’s initial investment. While recidivism, employment, and recovery goals will be tracked, the success payments are tied to participants exiting to stable housing.
“Transitional housing and connection to local supports are critical for ensuring our families, friends, and neighbors participating in the program have an opportunity to achieve stability and better long-term outcomes,” said Ed Long, MetaFund’s Chief Impact Officer. “For individuals returning home from incarceration, it is important that services and resources are accessible, person-centered, and effectively and efficiently coordinated across sectors and systems to support future success for the individual, their family, and their community.”
More information about the Supported Transitional Living Program is available at https://www.glmhc.net
