Expanding Services and Access
through Grant Awards
StreetReach Receiving Funding to Reduce Homelessness
The StreetReach program provides outreach, engagement, case management and
treatment services to homeless adults with mental illness or co-occurring mental health
and substance use disorders. The program uniquely targets those who are distrustful of
“the system” and need a low-key, come-as-you-are approach to receiving services.
In 2017, the Heart of West Michigan United Way awarded StreetReach
a $70,000 grant to provide the extra staffing hours needed to help more
individuals complete the SOAR (Supplemental Security Income/Social
Security Disability Insurance Outreach, Access, and Recovery) application
process, and hopefully be placed in a stable living situation.
Nationally, only 26 percent of individuals who apply are approved upon initial application.
For people who are homeless and have no one to assist them, that percentage is cut
by more than half. When applications are denied, appeals can take an average of one
year to complete, and in that time, applicants often give up hope. States using the
SOAR model report average approval rates of 65 percent in an average of 94 days
on initial applications.
“ My job is to be a
peddler of hope, ”
says StreetReach Case
Manager Bryan Holt, BBA, MS.
He helps Kent County residents
living in extreme poverty who
are homeless, face drug or
alcohol addictions and have
a mental health diagnosis
complete the SOAR. And
when clients won’t come to the
office, he offers hospitality and
inclusiveness by going
to where they are. He does
everything from helping people
acquire tents to rounding up
food from local pantries.
Expanding Services for Teen Mothers and Children
at Pella Clinic
Vermeer Charitable Foundation provided funds to
allow Pine Rest therapists to collaborate with and
train more area educators, helping them better
understand mental illness and how they can provide
the best learning environment possible for their
students affected by mental illness. The grant
also provides additional training for therapists in
providing services to children.
The Marion County Foundation provided a gift
to help start up a new group within the county to
educate and support the increasing number of
pregnant teenaged mothers at area schools.
The Pella Community Foundation awarded a grant
to enhance the play therapy services at the clinic.
Preventing Falls and Injuries in the Older Adult Unit
Each year, one in every three adults over the age of 65 fall—the long-term
consequences of fall injuries can be devastating. Staff members on the Older
Adult Unit have found that if a patient is restless and paces, the person is
more likely to fall. However, these falls can be prevented by offering items that
distract patients, and injuries can be reduced or prevented by providing safety
equipment.
Through a $12,500 Pine Rest Casey Wondergem Grant, the unit was able to
purchase recumbent exercise bikes, TheraGlide chairs, floor mats, pocket
talkers, large-print books, puzzles and crafts.
Exercise improves strength and balance, which decrease risk of falls. Two new
recumbent bikes placed side by side allow more people to exercise and to
talk with each other while exercising, thus allowing them to interact with
others and give one another motivation to exercise. Two TheraGlide chairs
were also purchased to help restless patients move safely.
Bryan Holt, BBA, MS, StreetReach Outreach Case
Manager and Victoria Sluga, LMSW, CAADC,
StreetReach Team Lead. Bryan Holt’s position is
funded by network180 via a grant it subcontracted
to StreetReach.
“Most appreciated being treated with
dignity and respect. A + in that category!
Very helpful, indeed!”
Mental exercising is also important in the
overall health of our patients. Because the
unit specializes in the geriatric population,
additional large print-books and puzzles were
purchased. New pocket talkers—a device
that helps the wearer hear better in a group
setting—increase participation in group
therapy programs.
When falls do occur, fall prevention products can provide a safety net in
situations where patients are susceptible to falling, such as getting into and out
of bed. The floor mats are used i