Supporting Complex Needs Through Intensive Case Management
There are many factors that influence a person’s health. In addition to aspects of health that are addressed by traditional medical systems, such as medical conditions and physical factors such as fitness, and sometimes behavioral issues as well, the circumstances in which a person lives can have a significant impact on their health. As part of its mission of working together with the Native Community to achieve wellness through health and related services, Southcentral Foundation employs an Intensive Case Management (ICM) team, which is a community-based program offering support to customer-owners ages 18 and older who experience underlying behavioral health challenges causing difficulties in daily living.
ICM provides assistance in areas such as:
- Stable housing
- Transportation
- Benefits: food security, financial support, and health coverage
- Obtaining and maintaining employment
- Navigating health needs
- Managing substance use
- Behavioral health services
- Skill building for daily living skills
One example of a program ICM is involved in is the Home for Good program, which is a federal Pay for Success program that utilizes a Housing First model. SCF serves as a service provider for the Anchorage project. Home for Good provides funding to assist individuals who are chronically homeless, have a history of involvement with the Department of Corrections, and are high utilizers of emergency services (including the Anchorage Fire Department, Anchorage Police Department, and local emergency rooms) in securing permanent housing. Funding sources include local philanthropists and the Municipality of Anchorage.
SCF’s ICM program supports these individuals by providing transitional or bridge housing at local hotels while developing rapport and a treatment plan. The ICM team then assists participants in finding permanent housing, signing a lease, and applying for and obtaining housing vouchers. Through skill-building, case managers help participants develop positive tenancy behaviors to support long-term housing stability. Data collected during an evaluation of the project demonstrates that when participants are housed there is a decrease in the amount of emergency services utilized therefore saving on costs of the provision of these services.
For more information about the Home For Good program, or SCF’s ICM team, feel free to contact the SCF Learning Institute. Also, there will be a session on this at the upcoming Nuka Conference! Registration and other information about the conference can be found here.
